by Joanna Baillie
Directed by Bronwen Carr
Designed by Kat Hayes
Costume Design by Havva Bird
Presented by Naomi George.

Cast in order of appearance
Lady Dungarren, mother of Robert Kennedy – Holly de Jong
Annabella, wealthy relative of Lady Dungarren – Allison McKenzie
Phemy, maid to Annabella – Suzanne McKenzie
Anderson, manservant to Robert Kennedy – Martin Ritchie Robert Kennedy, Laird of Dungarren – John Milroy
Black Bawldy, the herdboy of Dungarren – Neil McNulty
Mary MacMurren, reputed witch – Joanne Cummins
Elspy Lowe, reputed witch – Suzanne McKenzie
Grizeld Bane, reputed witch – Holly de Jong
Murrey – Scott Ainslie
Rutherford, minister of the Parish – Scott McFarlan
Violet, daughter of Murrey – Stephanie Farrell
Nurse – Joanne Cummins
Sheriff of Renfrewshire – David Whitney
Fatheringham, friend of Murrey – Martin Ritchie

A unique rediscovery from the groundbreaking female playwright, Joanna Baillie, in its first production in over a century.

“The greatest dramatist in English since Shakespeare." Sir Walter Scott

"Women, except Joanna Baillie, cannot write tragedy." Lord Byron

23 April – 10 May 2008

17th century Scotland. As the sister of the Laird of Dungarren lies mysteriously stricken with illness, the whispers of witchcraft start to grow. In the rising tide of hysteria, the women of the estate seize the chance to turn this paranoia into the power that they desperately desire – only to discover dealing with the devil has its price…

In this extraordinary play, groundbreaking female playwright Joanna Baillie returned to the murky history of her homeland, writing in both the poetic language of the aristocracy and the savage beauty of the Scots language. Witchcraft paints a thrilling, vivid picture of a superstitious world where women are forced to embrace the darkest side of femininity.

Scots playwright and poet Joanna Baillie (1762-1851) was a prolific writer, producing 27 full length plays during her long career. She was best known for her verse tragedy De Montfort, performed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane by John Philip Kemble, Sarah Siddons and Edmund Kean. Well recognized and respected during her lifetime, her works fell into neglect soon after her death. She is now recognized for her significant influence on such contemporary writers as Wordsworth, Byron, and Shelley, and is considered by many critics to have served as a model for later women writers.

The cast is led by Allison McKenzie who won the TMA Award for Best Actress for both her roles as Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Dundee Rep) and Ophelia in Hamlet (Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh), and was BAFTA-nominated for her role as Joanne in the popular Scottish soap River City.

Director Bronwen Carr is a member of the prestigious National Theatre Studio Director’s Course, and has directed the Time Out Critics’ Choice production of A Patch of Blue (King’s Head), Woodland (Old Red Lion), Death March Diary (Imperial War Museum), Stalker (Soho Theatre), I Have Been Here Before (Edinburgh Festival) and Powerless (Baron’s Court). She was Assistant Director to Lucy Bailey on Gumbo Jumbo, and assisted Anthony Page on Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (West End), The Master Builder (West End and Tour), The Goat (Almeida Theatre and West End), and The Night of the Iguana (West End).

The Press on Bronwen Carr’s previous productions
“Bronwen Carr’s splendidly efficient production...a fairly irresistible piece of story telling.” Time Out on A Patch of Blue
“Bronwen Carr, moves the action well around this treacherous but thrilling little space... memorable stuff indeed…compelling" The Independent on Powerless
“A volcanic performance of Priestley’s fourth dimension thriller....Deeply enjoyable…Definitely worth staying up for.” Three Weeks on I Have Been Here Before