A Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch production

The Witchfinder’s Sister

by Beth Underdown

Adapted for the stage by Vickie Donoghue

The world premiere of a chilling and creepy tale of Essex witch hunts

Essex, 1645. Blood runs cold with dread.

After the tragic death of her husband, Alice Hopkins heads to Manningtree, the small town she grew up in, home to her brother, and childhood secrets…

But there’s a new darkness in town, as rumours of witchcraft abound. Alice discovers her brother much changed, as a reign of hysterical terror spreads.

Alice begins a desperate race to reveal what’s compelling the obsessively cruel Witchfinder General, before more innocent women are found guilty…

This spellbinding and haunting historical thriller by Beth Underdown was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick, and is adapted for the stage by award nominated playwright Vickie Donoghue.

Part of Essex on Stage, following the recent successes of David Eldridge’s In Basildon, Sadie Hasler’s Stiletto Beach, Luke Norris’ So Here We Are, and this summer’s premiere of Douglas Rintoul’s new musical Love Letters.

Age guidance: 14+

★★★★ ‘A disquieting show that shines a light on a truly terrifying period in history – a story that feels startlingly relevant today’ Mind the Blog

‘Will have you gripped and seated on the edge of your seat until the very end of the performance’ Havering Daily

‘A lot to admire about this production…powerful’ Spy in the Stalls

‘I very much enjoyed the scares in The Witchfinder’s Sister…an atmospheric, emotionally charged production’ London Horror Society

‘Fancy a bit of atmospheric theatre, you’ll certainly get some shivers there this Halloween season’ Everything Theatre

‘Impressive’ London Theatre 1

‘I would certainly recommend going to see it this Halloween. There are lots of chilling moments that will leave you holding your breath’ Hornchurch Life

‘Director Jonnie Riordan has worked with beauty and precision to bring this historical and chilling drama to life’ In Your Area

Content information

Whilst we don’t want to give away any spoilers, we feel a duty to inform audiences of any material that could potentially cause distress to specific audience members. If you’d like to see the content notes for this show, please click here. If you’d like to speak to a member of the Box Office team for more information, please call us on 01708 443333 or email boxoffice@queens-theatre.co.uk

Essex on Stage has been made possible by the generous support of The Clothworkers’ Foundation. Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is the recipient of the 2018 Clothworkers’ Theatre Award, a competitive annual prize given to a regional producing theatre, that has only ever been awarded five times.

Free sheet programme

Performances for this production will be sold as a mixture of full capacity and social distancing – see below to choose which you’d prefer.