MEAT by James McDermott

Based on true events, Meat is set in Norfolk, 1742, and tells the story of a tailor condemned for sodomy and murder. Through an intimate and poetic lens, the play explores forbidden desire, secrecy, and the devastating consequences of living outside society’s rules. A haunting reflection on love, identity, and the cost of being seen.

Meat by James McDermott is a bold and thought-provoking historical drama that explores identity, desire, and sexuality in rural England. Set in Diss, Norfolk, the play tells the little-known true story of Robert Carleton, a 17th-century tailor and his secret relationship with his apprentice Jon Lincoln. The story takes a dark turn when Jon’s fiancé, Mary, comes for dinner with the two tailors.

Through powerful storytelling and poetic language, Meat reimagines Carleton’s experience with heart and humanity challenging audiences to confront the past while reflecting on how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go.