'I write. I demand. I ask.
Not for women to have power over men but over themselves.'
Trailblazing writer, feminist philosopher, and fearless campaigner for women's rights, Mary Wollstonecraft lived a life of courage and determination. She dared to defy the conventions of eighteenth-century Britain, and kept going when many wanted to bring her down.
Maureen Lennon's play Mary and the Hyenas is a searing tribute to the spirit and resilience of a woman who fought for equality and justice - and an exhilarating dive into history and the birth of feminism. Be prepared for petticoats to be lifted, boots to be stamped, and voices raised in the pursuit of change.
Featuring electrifying music by Billy Nomates and performed by a cast of six, Mary and the Hyenas was first produced by Hull Truck Theatre and Pilot Theatre, directed by Esther Richardson, and opened at Hull Truck Theatre in 2025 before a UK tour.
This edition includes the full text of the play along with a range of teaching materials and resources designed to help educators bring the play to life for their students.
'A musical collage of fast-paced scenes... follows Bertolt Brecht, Joan Littlewood and John McGrath in its combination of snappy demonstrative scenes and illustrative songs... shrieks rebelliousness... resists the pull towards romanticised period drama in favour of a cartoon-like immediacy' - Guardian
'An intriguing punk musical' - The Times
'A real triumph... radically different and thought-provoking... an eloquent and significant play... a thrilling piece of theatre' - Reviews Hub
'Witty and punkish' - WhatsOnStage
'A resounding success... Maureen Lennon's script is great... wonderful writing' - Everything Theatre
'An eye-catching tribute to millions of devalued female lives - and to one of endless significance' - The Spy in the Stalls
