The Manningtree Witches @ The Mercury Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had the absolute pleasure and privilege of attending the Press Night for the recently opened Manningtree Witches at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester last Wednesday. This is a play by Ava Pickett, adapted from a book by AK Blakemore, inspired by the true events of witchcraft persecution in the north of Essex in the middle of the 1640s. It was bloody brilliant!
As someone who has had a strong interest in this period of history and professionally has had to tell this story on many occasions, I came into this with a very open mind. I know the sources are biased (as always) and limited, meaning we actually know very little about the real women who lost their lives under Matthew Hopkins frenzied rampage across East Anglia. I had also read the novel, which was a huge inspiration for my work on the Wicked Spirits exhibition at Colchester Castle in 2022, and know that adaptations that do justice to original stories are difficult to achieve. However, everyone involved in this production really needs all the greatest awards, as they have created a real testament to the memories of those women and a truly entertaining piece of theatre.
From the phenomenal acting by all on stage to the use of sound and music, ensuring the rapidly approaching inevitability of what was to come was constantly in the back of your mind (the creaking of a noose at some of the most powerful moments was particularly striking). Yet, what really made this play were the moments of humanity interspersed in amongst the serious content. Anne West telling her daughter she’s “just a little cuntstruck” or the final powerful words of the show that make you both laugh and feel deep deep anger towards the people that allowed these atrocities to happen. I’ve rarely seen an adaptation of real historical events get that balance absolutely perfect.
The set itself was also stunning. When the snow was falling from the inverted field hanging above, it really transported you to rural Essex in the 1600s. Then the use of light (or lack of) to create the silhouettes or to spotlight Rebecca as she shares her journey really brought you into the action.
Sadly the show is not on for long enough. I would certainly have gone again if it wasn’t entirely sold out until its final showing on 14th March. I hope that those involved are able to find a way to bring this show back to the stage (or perhaps another venue? 👀) and soon, because this isn’t a show everyone should watch. It’s a show everyone MUST watch.
