Words: Chloe Shimmin

The Fringe is a platform to unearth new stories. To rewrite the narrative. To take risks. GUNTER reimagines the 1604 possession case of Anne Gunter, through a 21st century, feminist lens. And it is simultaneously chaotic, terrifying and hilarious.

Beautiful three-part harmonies begin acapella, as three women take the stage: “oh where the bad man sleeps, oh lord he’s bigger than me, oh lord he’s bigger than me.” 

Historian Lydia Higman takes the microphone, vibrant and intellectual, and explains her strong passion for the intricacies of this story. Intrigued and unsettled, we sit in the eerie Anatomy Lecture Theatre wondering what tales of witchcraft await. It all starts with a game of football.

It’s 1604. Brian Gunter is the richest man in the village. He kills two young boys. Their Mum, Elizabeth Gregory, wants justice. And so begins the ongoing battle between Gunter and Gregory, through village gossip, fights, courts, trials and even taking the case to the highest power, King James I.

The story is brought to life by this talented all-female cast, Julia Grogan, Norah Lopez-Holden, Hannah Jarrett-Scott and Lydia Higman, who play a variety of characters and instruments. It is a joy to see Higman at the drums, electric guitar in hand, but we want to see more of the cast as they play their instruments.

With so many laugh out moments, this is an enjoyable and unsettling insight into Anne Gunter’s story, the final details of which were lost amongst the infamous Gunpowder Plot.

Why now? Well, as Higman says ‘History rhymes.’ 

GUNTER
Summerhall, Anatomy Lecture Theatre
21.10
8-13, 15-20, 22-27 Aug