Playwright E V Crowe unravels a story about a newcomer trying to fit in as part of a sewing group in pre-industrial rural England. But all is not as simple as it seems — and the locals grow increasingly suspicious about the outsider.

Crowe has shown a skill for unsettling, dark drama, as first demonstrated in her astonishing breakthrough work, Kin (Royal Court, 2010), which explored boarding school tensions. With subsequent plays such as Hero (Royal Court 2012) and Virgin (Watford Palace Theatre 2013) Crowe has written with a pertinent topicality, encompassing subjects such as gay marriage and the internet.

We are keen to see how this up-and-coming playwright uses her talent for tension within this historical context. Head of Scottish Theatre company Untitled Projects Stewart Laing directs this Royal Court world premiere.