Coven – Review

Coven: Kiln Theatre, London

8th November 2025

★★★★

Coven is a new British Musical from Olivier award-winning director Miranda Cromwell, writer Rebecca Brewer and Grammy award-winning Daisy Chute. Set in Pendle, Lancashire in 1612, Coven offers a fresh reinterrogation of the true story of the Pendle Witch Trials. Focusing on young Jenet, who finds herself imprisoned, she must confront the 250-year legacy of witchcraft and listen to the shocking stories of the women who stand accused around her.

The cast are excellent in this hard-hitting show. Gabrielle Brooks and Lauryn Redding steal the show with their total conviction and incredible vocals. Their acting is superb and feels raw and honest. Each performer is passionate, powerful and commanding onstage. A special mention must also go to Rachel Barnes, who during this performance stepped in to the role of Nell/Elizabeth with little to no rehearsals. The story is fictional but based heavily on extensive research about the Pendle Witches and anyone who knows of their history will recognise some of the characters and their stories. This musical fundamentally is about women supporting women, empowerment and making women know their worth. There are still relevance to the story now, as it covers women affected by rape, poverty, class and coercive control. It also gives the women who were tried and killed for being witches, of which there were over 500 in England alone, a voice and platform to have their stories heard.

Jasmine Swan’s set is multi-layered and stark in nature, allowing the actors and musicians to be visible at all times. Whilst it remains static throughout the show the lighting and use of projection, by Zeynep Kepekil, works brilliantly to help transport the audience. The added extra special effect (no spoilers) towards the end of the show is a superb touch and really raises the emotion levels. The well made costumes are correct for the period and the dull colours work well to show the supposed value of the women being tried. The puppetry by Laura Cubitt is a brilliant touch, especially in the second act where the story focuses on what happened in Jenet’s past. The puppet itself, designed by Oliver Hymans, is controlled well and takes on a whole character herself, allowing the audience to look past the puppeteers and see just a young, innocent girl.

The original score by Rebecca Brewer and Daisy Chute, draws inspiration from folk and rock music and is strong and powerful and has memorable songs. There are some great harmonies, with the opening number being performed a capella to great effect. The performers voices work really well with the lyrics and emotion in the songs and their accents are consistent which helps root the story in Lancashire.

Whilst overall Coven’s story is hard hitting and powerful there are two scenes which feel at odds with the rest of the show. The idea of these is to mock the men in the story, to belittle them and show their failings but in trying to do this in a modern or comedic way it feels out of place and makes a joke of what is actually still a serious matter. Luckily, the rest of the show and the emotion shown more than makes up for these slightly odd scenes. The story is well told and the score moves it along perfectly. It is pitched about right with the correct amount of drama and emotion but also has a few comic moments and lines to give the audience some light relief too.

Overall, Coven is a really interesting new musical. Audience members can’t help but leave the auditorium with a new sense of respect for the women whose lives were ruined by the so-called witch trials and feel empowered by the messages of strength and passion. The run has already sold out many shows and has been extended until January so don’t miss your chance to see it.

Coven has now extended until the 17th January 2026. For information and tickets click here.

Photo Credit: Marc Brenner