Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm? by Katherine Vondy

FULL-LENGTH PLAY.

While wandering Worcester, England in 1943 in search of bird eggs, a teenage boy happened upon the skeleton of an unidentified woman inside the trunk of a large tree. An investigation commenced to determine who the woman was and how she died, but it raised more questions than it answered. Was she a spy? Was she a prostitute? Had she been part of an occult ritual? Theories...
FULL-LENGTH PLAY.

While wandering Worcester, England in 1943 in search of bird eggs, a teenage boy happened upon the skeleton of an unidentified woman inside the trunk of a large tree. An investigation commenced to determine who the woman was and how she died, but it raised more questions than it answered. Was she a spy? Was she a prostitute? Had she been part of an occult ritual? Theories abounded, but no definitive answers emerged. Then graffiti began to appear around town, asking a question that remains unanswered to this day...

WHO PUT BELLA IN THE WYCH ELM? uses the historical mystery to explore the ways in which society imposes identities on women, and ultimately ask how much it's possible to truly know another person.

A young actors version of the play, which is suitable for teenage performers and educational settings, is available through Stage Partners: https://www.yourstagepartners.com/products/who-put-bella-in-the-wych-elm
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Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm?

Recommended by

  • Joe Swenson:
    12 Jan. 2022
    “ From the moment the play starts until it’s unexpected ending I couldn’t put this play down. It will literally haunt me! Katherine Vondy’s ability to take a real story, a real unsolved mystery, and give it such depth is fascinating. Throughout this play Katherine’s dialogue and relationships accentuate the expectations of women in the 1940s. Absolutely incredible. 1 of my favorite NPX shows. ”
  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend:
    17 Dec. 2021
    “ Perfection!! A dramatization of a real-life unsolved mystery, the murdered woman guides the audience through all the theories as to who she was and why she died, broken up by scenes with a forensic pathologist and his assistant examining her remains (my favorite bits - the dialogue is fantastic). Smart, funny, and engaging, this is a terrific play about what is expected of women and how women must fight to be seen. ”
  • Samantha Marchant:
    29 Oct. 2021
    “ This script takes the audience down many exciting paths as it explores the mystery of who put Bella in the wych elm and the idea of erasure. All of the sections with the egg are masterfully crafted. Would love to see on stage. ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

Diverse casting is encouraged. Bella, Maureen, and Professor Webster should not be doubled.

Suggested doubling for a cast of nine as follows:
Bob/Van Ralt/Eddie
Thomas/Jack Mossop
Albert/Assistant
Nimue/Waitress
Glenys/Una Mossop
Obelia/Sue

(Other doubling options are possible)

  • Bella
    30s,
    Female
    The all-seeing ghost of a murdered woman.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Maureen
    20s,
    Female
    A logical, driven, aspiring forensic pathologist.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Professor James Webster
    50s,
    Male
    A confident scientist. Perhaps he is too confident.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Thomas
    teens,
    Male
    A teenage boy. An amateur magician.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Bob
    teens,
    Male
    A teenage boy. A poacher.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Jack Mossop
    30s,
    Male
    A man of weak character.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Van Ralt
    30s,
    Male
    A Dutch spy working for the Nazis.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Waitress
    20s,
    Female
    Friendly and efficient.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Una Mossop
    30s-40s,
    Female
    A widow tortured by the secrets of her dead husband.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Albert
    30s,
    Male
    A psychopath in the guise of a sadsack.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Nimue
    Female
    A kind Wiccan.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Glenys
    Any age,
    Female
    A clever Wiccan.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Obelia
    Female
    A powerful Wiccan.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Assistant
    20s, Array
    Barely competent.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Eddie
    Male
    A polite messenger.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Sue
    30s,
    Female
    Maureen's sister. A busybody.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Commission
    ,
    The Vagrancy
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • High School
    ,
    Franklin School of Innovation
    ,
    2022

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Plays In Progress Series
,
The Athena Project
,
2022
Semi-Finalist
,
SSF Scratch Night
,
Scranton Shakespeare Festival
,
2020