Airmid Theatre Company presents a ONE NIGHT ONLY Halloween reading of the drama WITCHCRAFT by Joanna Baillie at Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park.

Online, October 10, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Airmid Theatre Company
presents a ONE NIGHT ONLY Halloween reading of
WITCHCRAFT by Joanna Baillie
at Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park

After a two year hiatus, Airmid Theatre restores its highly successful concert-style reading and discussion series with a Halloween themed special reading of the play WITCHCRAFT by Joanna Baillie (1762-1851). The reading will be directed by founder and artistic director Tricia McDermott and will feature local and Manhattan based classically trained Actor's Equity members. This ONE NIGHT ONLY performance is scheduled to take place in the community room at THE NISSEQUOGUE RIVER STATE PARK, 799 St. Johnland Road, Kings Park, NY 11754.

This intense but little known work from 1836 explores the dark side of Scottish history and its impact on women, science, and religion. The story revolves around the turmoil at the Dungareen Castle where the young mistress is believed to be supernaturally tormented. Witches gather on the moor and a dead man returns to answer their call to serve dark forces in return for a better life. Meanwhile, Lord Dungareen must confront his feelings for the daughter of a fallen aristocrat when a rival for his love, Annabella, attempts to destroy their happiness. All reason is lost when an innocent women is arrested for using black magic and prepared to be burned at the stake. Powerful influences pit superstition against logic, poverty against security, and gentility against malfeasance.

The performance will begin with a short contextual presentation examining the era of the play and life of the playwright, followed by a concert-style performance, and concluding with an informal discussion.

Joanna Baillie was a Scottish poet and dramatist, very well-known during her lifetime or her kind disposition and her literary talents. Baillie was a prolific writer which included 27 full length plays and various poems and other works including religious pamphlets during her career. She was best known for her verse tragedy De Montfort, performed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Although recognized and respected for her skill during her lifetime, her works fell out of favor soon after her death. Today she is recognized as a significant influence on many writers including Wordsworth, Byron, and Shelley and is seen by some as a model for later women writers.

About Airmid Theatre Company
The Airmid Theatre Company was founded in 2000 to produce classic works by women. With these plays at the heart of its mission, the company creates a safe home for women theatre artists, and ignites broad public recognition of the essential contribution women have made to the worlds of theatre, dramatic literature, and society. By establishing the history of playwriting by women and professionally producing their work, we open the door to broader discussion on women's roles today, and in the future. For more information about Airmid Theatre Company, please visit www.airmidtheatre.org.

Witchcraft by Joanna Baillie
Produced by Airmid Theatre Company
Free Admission; Reservations Required (tax deductible donations accepted)

Nissequogue River State Park, Community Room
799 St. Johnland Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
Information and reservations: 631-704-2888 or email: [email protected]