When Caryl Churchill wrote Vinegar Tom in 1976, she said, "I wanted to write a play about witches with no witches in it; a play not about evil, hysteria and possession by the devil, but about poverty, humiliation and prejudice, and how the women accused of witchcraft saw themselves."

The play examines gender and power relationships through the lens of 17th-century witchcraft trials in England.

The play's title comes from the name of one character's pet cat, supposed to be her familiar spirit, likely inspired by the supposed imp of a woman tried and executed for witchcraft in Essex in 1645.

Esteemed and award-winning local director Anton Bentley says, "While it's set in the 17th century, the themes are as relevant today as they were then. It highlights female struggles in the past and modern day, in an engaging and accessible way, juxtaposed with modern songs."

Contains adult themes. R15