702 years ago, Dame Alice Kyteler became the first woman in Ireland to be tried for heresy. She fled Kilkenny and her servant Petronella was tortured, tried and convicted in her stead, then publicly burned alive on the main street of Kilkenny.
Publicly. Burned. Alive.
Following last year’s sneak preview, acclaimed theatre company Asylum Productions (The Big Chapel X, The Local) returns to the Festival for this epic reimagining of the Kilkenny Witch Trials.
The story unfolds over five episodes, taking place across the city throughout the Festival. They can be experienced in any order, and if you miss an episode you can catch up via the newspaper The Daily Words (available at the box office or at thealiceclub.com).
Whatever you do, don’t miss Episode 5: The Burning, a spectacular finale celebrating the life, and commemorating the unjust death, of Petronella de Meath, complete with courtroom drama, a community choir and real flames.
This is a once-in-700-year chance to experience Alice as you’ve never seen her before.
Episode 1: The Demon Dance
Writer Clare Monnelly
Directors Janice de Bróithe & Dónal Gallagher
Get ready to move!
Dame Alice is throwing a Lughnasa pagan party for the people of Kilkenny. Inspired by one of the historic charges brought against Alice – summoning demons at the crossroads – this is an open-air dance experience like no other.
The Alice Project is created by Medb Lambert, Donal Gallagher, Clare Monnelly, Janice de Bróithe, Fern Kealy, Sarah Joan Kelly. Choreography by Cindy Cummings. Music by Dave Holland. Choral Director Muireann Ryan.
