On 30 December 1873, Elizabeth Woolcock stood before the gallows in Adelaide Gaol and became the only woman ever executed by hanging in South Australia. Her crime: accused of poisoning her husband with mercury. This remains one of the most hotly debated convictions in the state’s history. Tried over just three days, her case was handled by an inexperienced lawyer more accustomed to petty theft and property disputes than a capital trial. A jury of twelve men deliberated for less than half an hour before returning a guilty verdict.

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Hilary Boyce, who also portrays Woolcock in the short film adaptation, delivers a performance of remarkable depth and emotional precision. Her portrayal is both raw and restrained – a testament to her craft. Boyce captures every shade of Woolcock’s experience: her terror, resilience, regret, and fleeting moments of hope. It is an arduous role, physically and emotionally, and Boyce commits to it completely, holding the audience in rapt silence, long after the final applause is due.

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The Hanging of Elizabeth Woolcock is not light viewing, nor is it suitable for younger audiences. But it is essential theatre – bold, unsettling, and profoundly human. By reviving Woolcock’s story on the very grounds where she drew her last breath, Vendetta Productions has created theatre that lingers long after the final moment, reminding us that some stories, however tragic, demand to be told.