Description:
"A refreshing, ribald rampage through sex, Puritanism and the hypocrisy of men."--The Times
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 weaponized 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.
Brief description:
Review Quotes:
"Funny, profane and bolshie...a whiplash of a play."
--Guardian"Thrillingly fresh and filthy...Ava Pickett is the playwright of the moment."
--Telegraph"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. This might be a story from history, but Pickett's skill lies in making everything feel blisteringly current...leaves little doubt that Ava Pickett is one of theatre's brightest young talents."
--The Stage"An absolute standout piece of theatre. Creepy, compelling and deeply absorbing."
--Theatre and Tonic