Colchester’s Mercury Theatre has unveiled two exciting new Mercury Original productions for its upcoming 2025/2026 season: The Manningtree Witches by Ava Pickett and Swallow The Lake by Tassa Deparis.
Both productions are world premieres and are written by alumni of the Mercury Playwrights programme, showcasing powerful stories rooted in Essex’s past and present.
Natasha Rickman, Artistic Director of the Mercury Theatre, said:
“I am delighted to be announcing two world premieres, both written by alumni of our Mercury Playwrights programme, and both telling stories about Essex – past and present. We are incredibly proud to be presenting these vibrant and beautiful plays, and presenting homegrown, world-class, new writing across both of our stages. We cannot wait to work with Ava and A.K. Blakemore on the extraordinary Manningtree Witches, and to welcome back Tassa as we collaborate with our friends at HighTide.”
The Manningtree Witches
Adapted by award-winning playwright Ava Pickett from A.K. Blakemore’s novel, The Manningtree Witches will premiere on the Mercury’s main stage from 28 February to 14 March 2026.
Set in 1643 Essex, the play follows 17-year-old Rebecca West as her town is gripped by fear and suspicion during the English Civil War. When Matthew Hopkins, England’s first Witchfinder General, arrives, the town descends into chaos.
“It does not matter what is true, or not true. All that matters is what is written down.”
Ava Pickett shared:
“The Manningtree Witches is a blisteringly beautiful gut punch of a novel and it’s my privilege to bring the voices of Rebecca and these women, so vivid in A.K Blakemore’s book and too often pushed into the shadows of history, on to the Mercury stage; and to do it in Colchester, where these women were held and where I spent a huge portion of my own life growing up is even more meaningful. It’s a local story but it is also a timeless one and I can’t wait for it to be a part of Natasha Rickman’s first season.”
The production is directed by Natasha Rickman and developed with support from the National Theatre’s Generate programme.
Swallow The Lake
Running from 2 to 11 October 2025 in the Mercury Studio, Swallow The Lake is written by Tassa Deparis and directed by Yasmin Hafesji. The play is presented in association with HighTide.
Inspired by the 2024 riots and protests, the story follows Joanna and Joseph as a dinner party in their new Essex home unearths a buried past and tests the strength of their relationship.
“There are things that make me look at you anew.”
Tassa Deparis said:
“This story means a lot to me and I’m lucky to be surrounded by such a caring team. I’m enormously grateful to the Mercury Theatre, Paines Plough and HighTide who are not just supporting this play, but me. They have not only given me a chance to grow as a writer, but to be one at all. I am so looking forward to seeing what is uncovered during the process and learning more about the play and myself.”
The play was developed through the Mercury Playwrights programme and Paines Plough’s Tour the Writer initiative.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
