The play, being presented by Pilot Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre will be performed in Hull from the 7 February until 1 March and then transfer to London’s Wilton’s Musical Hall from 18 until 29 March.
This new show, written by Maureen Lennon (Guts! The Musical, Hull Truck Theatreand Baby, He Loves You, Middle Child Theatre), will tell the story of 18th century British writer, philosopher and advocate of educational and social equality for women Mary Wollstonecraft.
Mary and the Hyenas features original music and songs by the acclaimed Alternative Indie singer/songwriter Billy Nomates (aka Tor Maries) and will be directed by Esther Richardson (Noughts and Crosses and A Song for Ella Grey, Pilot Theatre and Expendable, Royal Court).
Meet Mary and the Hyenas, a band who will sing you the inspiring story of Mary Wollstonecraft. A woman centuries ahead of her time: trailblazer, feminist and literary pioneer.
From her passionate advocacy for women’s rights to her tumultuous personal journey, Mary and the Hyenas captures the spirit and resilience of a woman who dared to defy the conventions of her time, and who kept going when so many wanted to bring her down. This is a witty, laugh out loud and searing tribute to the courage and determination of a woman who fought for equality and justice.
The cast for the show is set to include: Laura Elsworthy (Reykjavik, Hampstead Theatre and Corrina, Corrina, Everyman Theatre & Headlong Theatre) as Mary Wollstonecraft; Kate Hampson (Romeo and Juliet, Royal Exchange Manchester) as Mary’s Mother; Elexi Walker (I Think We Are Alone, Frantic Assembly) as Joseph Johnson/ Gilbert Imlay; Beth Crame (A Song for Ella Grey, Pilot Theatre) as Eliza Wollstonecraft/ Dr Price/ Margaret Kingsborough; Kat Johns- Burke (A Tiger’s Tale, M6 Theatre) as Fanny Blood/ Fuseli/ Edward Wollstonecraft and Ainy Medina (Little Women, York Theatre Royal) as Mary Shelley/ Marguerite/ Thomas Paine.
Talking about the news, Maureen Lennon said: “I couldn’t be more excited for Mary and the Hyenas to be finally shared with the world. I’ve been obsessed with Mary’s story ever since I was a teenager, and getting to share her voice with the young women of today feels like such a privilege. She’s an icon who blazed ahead of her time, and she’s got so much to say to us, now. Stuff about bravery and passion and how you muster the courage to change the world. It feels like we all need some of that fire right now.”
Regarded as the “mother of Feminism”, Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797) was a moral and political philosopher whose analysis of the condition of women in modern society retains much of its original radicalism. Her early Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787) foreshadowed her mature work on the place of women in society, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), whose core is a plea for equality in the education of men and women. The Vindication is widely regarded as the founding document of modern feminism.
This new show will feature designs by by Sara Perks (Mind Mangler,Mischief Theatre) and has been developed with the support of the National Theatre’s Generate programme.
For further information visit: https://pilot-theatre.com/production/mary-and-the-hyenas/