Castle Hill Players’ latest production, Rona Munro’s THE LAST WITCH, is set in Scotland in 1727 when superstition thrives and, amongst other things, is a cautionary tale of the power of careless words and their devastating consequences. It is based on the true story of Janet Horne, the last woman to be burned for witchcraft in Britain. It looks at the structures of power and manipulation, loss of control and what one will sacrifice for the love of another.
Paula Searle is excellent in the role of Janet with, at the start of the play, a half-smile forever on her face and playing with her neighbours fears using some tricks & charms to have them provide her with food on veiled threats. She lives apart from the village & is highly protective of her naïve teenage daughter Helen played by Chloe Overeem, showing much innocence and youthful enthusiasm as the part demands. Things however take a darker turn with the arrival of Captain Ross, played by Toby Rowe, a character of great arrogance, yet ignorance who is a youngish military man wanting to show his power and make his mark in the local community.
The trouble really starts with Janet’s neighbour of 20 odd years, Douglas Begg. Played by Christopher Clark with great feeling and authenticity, he has much influence in the local community and has always found Janet annoying and is very wary of her suspected powers and he complains to the Captain of her so-called witchcraft. Penny Johnson playing his wife Elspeth, is a much more sensible and pragmatic person and does her best several times to support Janet and her daughter.
There is also the local Minister Niall, played by Jem Rowe, whose character is ineffectual and vacillating, trying to appease everyone and failing to prevent a travesty of justice. He is not willing to stand against the hate & spite of Captain Ross who is out to get Janet, partly in revenge of her rejection of him.
Adding a supernatural element is Nick, played by Matthew Robson, a mix of devil & charmer, a wanderer with seemingly strange powers with whom Helen becomes obsessed.
Director Jennifer Willison brings together these strong and dedicated actors to produce an atmospheric play as the tension mounts and it seemingly becomes too late to turn back from a tragic course. When Janet refuses to confess to being guilty they bring her daughter and threaten her forcing Janet to make a terrible decision. Placing the play in its context and bring a greater sense of reality is Jennifer Willison’s set design and the costumes designed by Anthea Brown. Lighting design by Casey Moon-Watton and sound design by Jennifer Willison, help evoke the changing feelings of the play as we are lead from a fun and frivolous opening to the dark side of superstition.
THE LAST WITCH plays at The Pavilion Theatre Castlehill Showground until 13 June 2026.
Production photography hy Chris Lundie
