Dark, complex and thought-provoking - Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern is the latest production to grace the stage of the Watford Palace Theatre.

Writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz leaves no stone unturned in her exploration of the real-life witch trial of Jane Wenham, a village herbalist who is accused by an zealous young church man of causing the death of a child in their Hertfordshire village.

The opening scene depicts the grief of young Ann Thorne, played brilliantly by Hannah Hutch, whose mother has been hanged as a suspected witch.

Instantly the audience is plunged into the play’s 18th Century world of superstition, fear and female oppression.

The drama unfolds as we meet the villagers and hear their conflicting beliefs surrounding witchcraft. Eventually Jane Wenham appears on stage, sat on the floor in tattered clothes, collecting leaves for her tinctures.

Jane, an isolated member of the Walkern community, becomes embroiled in a witch hunt and is subjected to a number of tests to ascertain her guilt.

Directed by Ria Parry, I found the piece difficult to watch in parts as the pain and injustice of Jane’s experience was conveyed with biting reality through the staging and excellent performance by Amanda Bellamy.

The set, designed by James Button, was powerful in its simplicity, and between scenes the groaning soundtrack and atmospheric lighting added to the sense of gloom surrounding the play’s events.

The drama explored a wide range of gritty topics, which I admit left me feeling a little dazed. Despite this, I believe it is an important portrayal of a story rarely told, and it provided a platform to discuss important issues we still deal with today – namely prejudice against those who are different.

Hannah Worrall

Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern, Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford, until October 3. Details: 01923 225671, watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk