The Welkin

Thank you for inviting me to your production of The Welkin and for the warm welcome I received.

The play set in Rural Suffolk in 1759 is a female version of Twelve Angry Men with the courtroom instead made up of twelve bickering and bantering women. This was an emotional play with a large strong cast who certainly worked well together to bring a powerful performance to the stage. 

The leading roles of midwife Elizabeth and convicted murderer Sally demanded a wide range of emotions, reactions and responses from the actors as Elizabeth railed against the system that was going to hang remorseless Sally for murder unless her pregnancy could be proved. The two actresses playing them gave strong compelling performances. Elizabeth was supported by eleven other matrons on the jury, each of which had their own distinct personality, opinion and character traits which they maintained even when not the centre of the action. There were only two men in the play with their characters showing just how little men understood or respected women in the 18th century. All cast interacted very well together, developing their relationships throughout the play.

The director brought us a very powerful piece of drama which was compelling to watch. She had clearly worked with the cast to understand their characters and the circumstances and social history of the period. Potentially uncomfortable actions were handled sensitively, whilst maintaining the impact of them.

This was an excellent production which gripped me to the end.

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