Stage: Mata Hari: Female Spy at Shoreham’s Ropetackle Arts Centre

There’s Bond and Bourne, George Smiley and countless other fictional spies and nearly all of them are male and figures of pure invention that have fuelled TV and cinema for years. And then there is Mata Hari, again the subject of films and TV, but the difference being that Mata Hari, or Margaretha Geertruida “Margreet” MacLeod is not a fiction but a real woman.

Mata Hari: Dutch exotic dancer, lover, confidante, contradiction and liar. Executed by firing squad in 1917 and regarded the most notorious female spy in history… or was she?

100 years after her execution and inspired by her own words, this enthralling new play tells Mata Hari’s fascinating story: from growing up in the Netherlands to her marriage in the Dutch East Indies, becoming an acclaimed exotic dancer to her involvement in the Great War.

Caught between France and Germany and propositioned by both for intelligence, Mata was eventually executed for being a double agent by the French authorities. But is her story one of set-up? Did she really deserve to die? Only you can decide.

Mata Hari: the most notorious spy in history. Or was she?

Using Mata Hari’s own words, performer Katharine Mary gives a powerful portrayal of this truly compelling woman. Mata Hari has inspired countless films, musicals and TV shows, but there is only one true story, her story: the world’s first, and most fascinating, femme fatale.

Ropetackle spokesman Mark Phillips said: “It’s a story straight out of a novel, at least you’d be forgiven for thinking so. Except it’s not – like all good stories, this one is true.”

Mata Hari: Female Spy is written and directed by Gavin Robertson. Performed by Katharine Mary. With original music composed by Danny Bright. Gavin Robertson is a Brighton based actor, producer, director and performer. He works internationally and has produced original theatre for over 20 years. The Ropetackle in Shoreham is one of the most vibrant arts venues in Sussex and is easily accessed from both Brighton and Worthing.

Saturday 2nd September, Starts 8pm, Tickets: £10
Box Office: 01273 464440
ropetacklecentre.co.uk