She’s dragged through the streets, protesting her innocence and entreating the crowd for help, but Goodie Bridget Bishop is shown no mercy. Before she can be freed, the young farmwoman must prove herself innocent of the charge of witchcraft.
It’s a compelling piece of live theatre enacted regularly on the streets of colonial Salem, Massachusetts that draws tourists from around the world – and it’s based on some pretty frightening facts.
During the summer of 1692, largely as the result of hysterical accusations made by adolescent girls who swore they were being made ill and subjected to nightly torment at the hands of witches, 19 innocent local people were tried, found guilty and put to death in the tiny town of Salem. Of these, 18 were hanged and one man was pressed to death for consorting with the devil and allegedly practicing witchcraft.
It isn’t a pretty picture of life in the 17th century, but it’s undeniably fascinating, and a great addition to any tour of New England.
The story begins in the town square where unsuspecting tourists are jarred by the sight of a young pilgrim woman being arrested and dragged to the courthouse. Ringing his bell, the town crier lists the accusations against her – witchcraft and consorting with the devil.
Pay the $9.00 admission fee to enter the historic courthouse and you become part of the jury that will determine her guilt or innocence.
Unlike many historical reenactments that can become too cumbersomely dry and fact-filled to remain exciting, “Cry Innocent” is both lively and informative. Cast members portraying the neighbours of Goodie Bishop come forward to present their ‘evidence’ of her witchcraft practices while she loudly protests her innocence. At points, members of the audience are invited to question both the witnesses and Goodie Bishop herself, creating a sense of genuine investment in the proceedings.
What’s most compelling about the presentation, in addition to the realistic costumes and highly believable performances, is the reaction of the tourist crowd, many of whom appear to accept the possibility that ordinary people might actually be witches.
As the ‘evidence’ is rolled out and witnesses speak of livestock dying unexpectedly, young girls being pinched black and blue by unseen hands and mysterious illnesses infecting otherwise healthy villagers, there’s a palpable sense of doubt in the room that must be frighteningly close to mindset that led to the condemnation and killing of so many innocent people. I’ve seen many historical recreations but never one that more successfully draws viewers into the madness of the time.
Not surprisingly, the red-cheeked, distraught Goodie Bridget Bishop is found guilty by her jury and hauled off to be punished. My stomach churned with a genuine sense of sympathy and horror – testimony to the quality of her performance.
Salem itself is a fascinating part of New England history, boasting more than 375 years of U.S. heritage, but it is best known by far for that one summer of 1692 when witch-madness seized the population and caused some of the most troubling murders in American history. If you’re as drawn to historical horrors as most visitors, you can further your investigations at the Salem Witch Museum, the Wax Museum of Witches and Seafarers and the Witch History Museum. Whatever you do, be sure not to miss the outstanding “Cry Innocent” – maybe you’ll be the voice of reason in the jury that can save poor Goodie Bridget Bishop!
For more on visiting Salem, Massachusetts, go to: http://salem.org.
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Liz Fleming is an award-winning Canadian travel journalist who specializes in adventure, health and wellness and learning travel. For more from Liz, go to: Liz Fleming’s Travel Tales