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Bessie Dunlop - The Witch of Dalry
by John Hodgart
Community Cast
Plot:
Based on a true story of Bessie Dunlop of Lynn was an Ayrshire farmers wife who was 'burned at the stake' for a crime of sorcery in 1576. The Witch of Dalry written by John Hodgart is a play that tells of Bessie's story leading up to and the trial.
The script is available to read for free via the Association for Scottish Literature and you can watch the playwrights youtube video regarding Bessie Dunlop here.
About The Play:
The play was written in 1977 for the original production that took place in Garnock Academy, Kilbirine, Ayrshire. This updated version was published in 2021 by ASLS with support from the Scottish Government. The audiobook is supported by Garnock Connections and North Ayrshire Council that will see the audiobook completed and a history trail created where you can listen to parts of the play at locations in Dalry, North Ayrshire that highlights the areas of the town within the story.
Characters
Plot:
Based on a true story of Bessie Dunlop of Lynn was an Ayrshire farmers wife who was 'burned at the stake' for a crime of sorcery in 1576. The Witch of Dalry written by John Hodgart is a play that tells of Bessie's story leading up to and the trial.
The script is available to read for free via the Association for Scottish Literature and you can watch the playwrights youtube video regarding Bessie Dunlop here.
About The Play:
The play was written in 1977 for the original production that took place in Garnock Academy, Kilbirine, Ayrshire. This updated version was published in 2021 by ASLS with support from the Scottish Government. The audiobook is supported by Garnock Connections and North Ayrshire Council that will see the audiobook completed and a history trail created where you can listen to parts of the play at locations in Dalry, North Ayrshire that highlights the areas of the town within the story.
Community Cast Members
Take Part
2022 is the year of Scotland's Stories; join playwright John Hodgart. The Bypass Art and many other groups within Ayrshire are taking part in creating the Audio Drama of 'Bessie Dunlop - The Witch of Dalry'. We are seeking more cast members to take part in the production. Are you interested in local history, want to develop friendships by participating in a community project and develop new skills by creating an everlasting memory that will be distributed worldwide telling the true story of Bessie Dunlop from Dalry.
Directed by Mark Thomson, the production is looking for adults within the Ayrshire Community to take roles within the play working alongside professional actors. For anyone wishing to take part, they can register below.
With the community recording date: 2nd of October 2022 12 pm - 4 pm at the Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine.
Rehearsals
Will take place online or in person at Beith Parish Church Hall.
Kirk Road in Beith, 7 pm - 9 pm every Tuesday in September.
Register Today:
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