Dunmow Flitch Trials musical brings modern take on ancient tradition

The Flitch Trials, Dunmow’s ancient tradition, gets a modern makeover with a new musical.

PINCHY theatre is bringing FLITCH The Musical: Work in Progress Concert to the town in July.

The performance takes place at Foakes Hall on Thursday July 11, just before the main event on Saturday July 13.

The historic trials – which date back to the 1100s – take place every four years. They award a flitch, or side, of bacon to married couples from anywhere in the world if they can satisfy a judge and jury of six maidens and six bachelors that in “twelvemonth and a day” they have “not wisht themselves unmarried again”.

PINCHY co-founder Clare Packham said: “This year, we’re bringing our musical to the town just two days before the real trials. It’s a unique opportunity to bring a show to the real audience it’s based on.”

FLITCH, by Packham & Kealy, was a finalist in the highly competitive Charlie Hartill Awards 2024, was selected for a masterclass with Claude-Michel Schonberg, of Les Miserables and Miss Saigon fame, was presented at BEAM2023, the largest new musical theatre showcase in the UK, and was workshopped with students at Leeds Conservatoire.

Clare explained the premise of the show: “It’s 2024 in Great Dunmow, and Simon, a floundering retiree, is desperate to save his marriage.

“Daphne, his perfectionist spouse, is committed to making her first Flitch Trials as chair of the committee the best yet.

“All is thrown into question when her carefully selected judge withdraws. Daphne’s only option is to trust Simon to take on the biggest role in the entire tradition.

“In a world where Kurt Weill meets Lily Allen, FLITCH The Musical gives couples permission to argue, provincial traditions the space to evolve and communities the opportunity to celebrate their absurd histories.”

For tickets see https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/pinchytheatre/flitch-the-musical-work-in-progress-concert/e-plpbxz.

For more information about tickets for the Flitch Trials, see www.dunmowflitchtrials.co.uk.

This year’s event, continuing a custom which features in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, will consist of a single trial in the morning, two during the afternoon session and two in the evening.