"We are outside Nance & Thomas Redfearne's cottage at Launde. Nance is coming home with a basket over one arm. As she approaches the cottage her way is barred by Robert Nutter and Henry Mitton. Robert is in his early thirties - Henry Mitton is considerable older. Both are obviously the worse for drink."

And so begins our next performance for 2025, Maleficium - a story of the Pendle Witches.

It is August 1612. In the cramped, stifling dungeons of Lancaster Gaol, nine women from Pendle await their trial. They are accused of Maleficium - murder by witchcraft. But are they really the guilty ones? Or are they just the victims of supersition, politics, and ambition? Constructed from contemporary notes of the trial, their voices still call out to us over 400 years. Part comedy. Part tragedy. See them as they tell their tale.

Rehearsals are well underway for our new play written and directed by Tony Balmer. With returning actors and new members, we have an exciting story to unravel and new (old) language to learn before our performances from the 5th to the 7th of June.

Tickets go on sale on our website from the 28th February.