Summer, 1827. In a red barn in Suffolk, Maria Marten awaits her lover. A year later, hidden in a grain sack under the floor of the barn, Maria's body is found, barely identifiable—and the manhunt begins. The Red Barn Murder had all the hallmarks of a classic crime drama: a missing body, a country location, a disreputable squire and a village stuck in its age-old traditions. But whilst sending shockwaves throughout the country, Maria's own story was lost. The Ballad of Maria Marten  rediscovers her story, bringing it back to vivid, urgent life. Beth Flintoff's thrilling play was first performed by an all-female cast in a production by Eastern Angles in July 2018. Subsequent national tours were produced with Eastern Angles by Matthew Linley Creative Projects in association with the Stephen Joseph Theatre. "Flintoff restores dignity to Maria... unexpectedly joyous." ― Guardian "The genius of what Beth Flintoff has done is that it is not about the gruesome murder... but the person. Vital, layered and empowered, a beautiful piece of theatre." ― A Younger Theatre "Rich and transporting." ― The Stage Beth Flintoff is a playwright, dramaturg, and theatre director. Her plays include: The Ballad of Maria Marten (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, and UK tour, 2020/21); Rebellious Women (Attic Theatre Company, 2018, as The Rebellious Women of Wimbledon ); and The Glove Thief (2017, commissioned by Tonic Theatre Company as part of their Platform scheme in association with Nick Hern Books), among many others. She is an associate playwright and young writers associate at the Royal Court Theatre, London. She is also an associate artist at Rabble Theatre Company, for whom she has written plays including Henry I , Matilda the Empress , Henry II , and The Last Abbot .