The Manningtree Witches

A Mercury Original in association with Frantic Assembly, supported by Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions and Mark Gordon Pictures.

“It does not matter what is true, or not true. All that matters is what is written down.”

Essex, 1643.

A country divided. A town on its knees. A teenage girl with a dangerous secret.

As the Civil War rages on, in the quiet town of Manningtree, most of the men have gone off to fight, leaving the women to run the town. 17-year-old Rebecca West is like any teenager, brimming with self-doubt, consumed with unrequited love, and in a constant never-ending cycle of arguments with her sharp-tongued mother. As food runs out, and more men leave, Rebecca and her best friend Judith wait for something, anything to happen in Manningtree.

But change is coming.

When the mysterious Matthew Hopkins buys a pub, he brings questions. What does a young man like Matthew want with a town like Manningtree? Why has he come? And why is he so interested in Rebecca? But when an incident between Rebecca’s mother and a local boy plunges the town into discord, those questions are answered with horrifying frenzy.

As suspicion and fear take root and the community turns on each other, Rebecca finds her own girlhood weaponised against her – and is forced to make a devastating choice no daughter should ever have to make.

This is a thrilling world premiere that tells the true story of England’s first Witchfinder General, and wrenches the women he killed out from the shadows of history and into the spotlight.

Adapted by award-winning Mercury Playwright and screenwriter Ava Pickett and directed by Natasha Rickman, this gripping historical drama is a fiercely modern exploration of fear, control, and what happens when women’s voices are silenced.

The Manningtree Witches was developed with support of the National Theatre’s Generate programme, through a Jerwood Workshop.

Booking for a school?

Tickets for schools are £12.50 (including levy) in bands B, C & D.

You can book today (and even pre-order your ice cream!) by filling in our form or by calling our customer experience team on 01206 573948. Please be aware the form will ask you for your first and second choice performances dates and times, so please do have a look through the performance schedule below before heading over to the form.

Schools Order Form

Our Education Resource pack is here!

Education Resource Pack

Content to consider

The Manningtree Witches has an age guidance of 14+.

The production contains strong language, flashing lights, haze, physical and emotional violence, scenes of a sexual nature, haze, reference to miscarriage, post-natal depression and child death, and depictions of torture, smoking and hanging.

If you think you’ll be affected by any of the above, you can download our full content to consider document below, but please note this will contain spoilers. If you have any further questions, please speak to a member of our Box Office or Front of House team.

Content to Consider

We also have a social story, but please be aware this contains spoilers.

Social Story

School workshops

Extend your visit with one of our brilliant workshops!

Collaborating closely with teachers, our Literacy through Drama programme is designed to embed creative learning throughout the term. Alongside drama and literacy skills, pupils will develop their communication, co-operation and confidence in a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Check out our wide range of school workshops to extend your visit and expand your classroom learning. Discover all of our workshops here: mercurytheatre.co.uk/taking-part/education/school-workshops and email [email protected] for enquiries.

Accessible and Q&A Performances

The show is a 14+ and contains strong language, flashing lights, haze, physical and emotional violence, scenes of a sexual nature, mentions of miscarriage, post-natal depression and child death, and depictions of torture, smoking and hanging.

There will be a relaxed performance on Thu 12 Mar, 2.30pm; an audio described performance with a pre-show Touch Tour (1pm) on Sat 14 Mar, 2.30pm; and captioned performance on Sat 14 Mar, 7.30pm.

If you or a member of your party has a visual impairment and would benefit from the pre-show Touch Tour, please contact our Box Office to book.

There will be a post-show Q&A on Thu 12 Mar, 7.30pm.

Our accessible performances are made possible with the support of John Fowlers.

Small Bowls in our Café Bar

Make the most of your visit and discover our tempting tapas trios, with a selection of small bowls perfect for sharing!

Select any three for £13.50. Options include: Cajun Chicken Skewers (gf), Buffalo Tempura Cauliflower (v), Onion Bhajis (v, vg), Wholetail Scampi, Halloumi Fries (v, gf), Crispy Veg Dumplings (v, vg), Vegetable samosas (v, vg), Southern Fried Chicken Goujons, Grilled Pita Bread (v, vg), Duck Spring Rolls, Prawn Cocktail or Cod Goujons. All our small bowls are freshly prepared and may change, so please ask for tonight’s selection on arrival.

Simply add the Small Bowls option to your basket when booking online (see the You might also be interested in… page once you have selected your tickets) or with our friendly Box Office team, and you’ll be reserved a table 90 or 75 minutes ahead of the show and ready to order which three options you would like on arrival (subject to availability). Limited spaces per performance so book early to avoid disappointment.

The Manningtree Witches Theatre tours

To celebrate our Mercury Production, The Manningtree Witches, we are offering a chance to get a closer sneak peek of the set and a backstage tour on Sat 14 Mar at 11am! This will be bookable over on our Theatre Tours page soon.