The Manningtree Witches
Published on 12. March 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
128 pages
978-1-83904-560-8 (ISBN)
Description
'It does not matter what is true, or not true. All that matters is what is written down.'
Essex, 1643. In the quiet town of Manningtree, most of the men have gone to fight in the Civil War. With food running out and boredom setting in, seventeen-year-old Rebecca West longs for something, anything to happen.
When a tragic incident involving a local boy coincides with the arrival of the mysterious Matthew Hopkins, the town is plunged into discord. As suspicion and fear take root, Rebecca finds her own girlhood weaponised against her - and is forced to make a devastating choice.
The Manningtree Witches is a thrilling and fierce exploration of fear, control and what happens when women's voices are silenced. A. K. Blakemore's novel was a Sunday Times Book of the Year, winner of the Desmond Elliot Prize and shortlisted for the Costa Debut and Ondaatje Prizes. This stage adaptation by Ava Pickett was first performed at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, in 2026, produced in association with Frantic Assembly, supported by Eleanor Lloyd Productions and directed by Natasha Rickman.
Essex, 1643. In the quiet town of Manningtree, most of the men have gone to fight in the Civil War. With food running out and boredom setting in, seventeen-year-old Rebecca West longs for something, anything to happen.
When a tragic incident involving a local boy coincides with the arrival of the mysterious Matthew Hopkins, the town is plunged into discord. As suspicion and fear take root, Rebecca finds her own girlhood weaponised against her - and is forced to make a devastating choice.
The Manningtree Witches is a thrilling and fierce exploration of fear, control and what happens when women's voices are silenced. A. K. Blakemore's novel was a Sunday Times Book of the Year, winner of the Desmond Elliot Prize and shortlisted for the Costa Debut and Ondaatje Prizes. This stage adaptation by Ava Pickett was first performed at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, in 2026, produced in association with Frantic Assembly, supported by Eleanor Lloyd Productions and directed by Natasha Rickman.
Reviews / Votes
'A refreshing, ribald rampage through sex, Puritanism and the hypocrisy of men... an engagingly spiky adaptation, heightening the tearaway, irreverent love of language... superb and uncompromising' * The Times * 'Funny, profane and bolshie... a whiplash of a play' * Guardian * 'Thrillingly fresh and filthy... Ava Pickett is the playwright of the moment' * Telegraph * 'A thrilling historical drama... deeply moving and gutsy... a fiercely modern exploration of fear, control, misogyny and what happens when women's voices are silenced... Pickett's fluid and earthy dialogue brings Manningtree of 1643 to life... It's not for the faint-hearted, but it makes for riveting theatre' * WhatsOnStage * 'A fierce retelling of the Essex witch trials... drags history into the present... leaves little doubt that Ava Pickett is one of theatre's brightest young talents... This might be a story from history, but Pickett's skill lies in making everything feel blisteringly current' * The Stage * 'An absolute standout piece of theatre. Creepy, compelling and deeply absorbing' * Theatre & Tonic *More details
Series
Edition
stage version
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 127 mm
Width: 198 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
146 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83904-560-8 (9781839045608)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
