GIFTED TICKETS

Presented by Scratchworks Theatre Company, Hags: A Magical Extravaganza! is a show packed full of magic tricks, physical comedy and live music – that leaves you with a poignant message.

We are transported to Bideford in 1682, the place where the final witch trial in Britain took place. There we meet three women, Temperance Lloyd, Mary Trembles and Susannah Edwards, who were each accused of witchcraft, tried and hanged. As we step back in time, we learn a little more about who these women are and what really happened in that small town in North Devon over 300 years ago, and a trio of magiciennes explore the witch-hunt mania that swept the country and sent hundreds of innocent women to the gallows.

As this tragic tale is being told, we are treated to a merriment of songs, magic, humour and audience interaction. All brilliantly brought to life by Sian Keen, Laura Doble and Alice Higginson-Clarke, alongside Andrew Armfield as Andy The Musician. The multi-talented quartet know how to work a crowd and even make the nervous participants feel at ease. They all had a great energy about the stage and were incredibly enjoyable to watch.

The music is genuinely brilliant too, with its fusion of contemporary folk, synth-pop and musical theatre. She’s A Witch was a particular highlight (which you can listen to online here) and the trio of women blended together beautifully to Andrew Armfield’s music. I think if you have liked and enjoyed shows such as Operation Mincemeat, Mind Mangler and Ride, you will find similarities in the delivery, humour and music of Hags.

It’s a clever and charming piece of theatre that gives illusions, stunts, quick changes, puppetry and silliness. Though for a show that on the surface seems to be all for a bit of witty light-hearted fun, you are left with a gut-punching end that these three women still went to trial and were hung, despite no evidence of crime. Not only that, you are questioned do you see it? which gives a stark reminder that violence against women happens every day, over 300 years later. It leaves you feeling rather cold when the realisation of the message sets in, but it’s told so chaotically and joyfully throughout that you leave the theatre both entertained and thought-provoked. A worthwhile watch indeed.

HAGS – A Magical Extravaganza! runs at the New Wolsey until Saturday 6 April, book now: wolseytheatre.co.uk/shows/hags-a-magical-extravaganza/.

Find out more about the show here: scratchworkstheatre.com/hags.