It’s hard to make a comedy about the murder of 45,000 women but Holly Morgan does just that, and then some.
You’ll come away feeling empowered and wanting – no needing – more
Delving through the history of the witch through a feminist lens, she gives a truly poignant reminder of the horrors of the European and American witch hunt trials and shines a spotlight on how, in many ways, witch hunts still continue today. As shocking and emotive as the historical facts are, Morgan keeps things upbeat through the medium of song, a Powerpoint and her pet familiar (spoiler alert it’s actually her husband Tom in a catsuit).
Brett Kavanagh and Donald Trump all feature in this eclectic mix of what essentially feels like an after hours history lesson at a karaoke bar.
Taking you from the 11th Century all the way to the present day, Morgan looks at witches over time and how the way they are represented and depicted has morphed as a result of religion, patriarchy and several King’s deciding witches were evil and needed burning at the stake (here’s looking at you King James). Essentially, witch hunts were (and still are) a misogynistic attempt by the patriarchy to police and control women as well as an outright fear of any woman who is independent or just a little bit weird.
This one hour show is packed with wicked humour and facts you probably don’t know (like how the Witchcraft Act was only repealed in 1951 – which is just mindboggling). There’s also an incredible witchy parody of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s infamous 2019 Oscars performance (it will have you cackling for days) along with several Fleetwood Mac covers.
Ending the show by adding a feminist twist to Cyndi Lauper’s 80s hit, Morgan sings: “Girls just wanna have fundamental human rights and everything we’re entitled to”. Which pretty much sums it up.
This show is spectacular. You’ll come away feeling empowered and wanting – no needing – more. Witch, please – you need to see this.
