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 abounded, but no...

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

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm?

Recommended by

  • Joe Swenson: Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm? by Katherine Vondy
    “

    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.

    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: Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm? by Katherine Vondy
    “

    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.

    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: Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm? by Katherine Vondy
    “

    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.

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

Development History

  • Commission, The Vagrancy, 2019

Production History

  • High School, De Pere High School, 2025
  • University, Northeastern University, 2024
  • High School, Franklin School of Innovation, 2022

Awards

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