Dramatic Reading of Bernard Shaw's "Devil's Disciple"

On Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m., the Hourglass Readers of Keene will perform a dramatic reading of Bernard Shaw's The Devil's Disciple at the Historical Society of Cheshire County. The performance is in conjunction with the feature exhibit, Actors on the Early American Stage: 1790 - World War I, which is on display at the Historical Society until April 4.

The Devil's Disciple - one of two plays written by Shaw that take place in America and the first of his plays to make money - is set in New Hampshire during the Revolutionary War. The melodramatic play concerns the coming of General Burgoyne's British troops to a small, very Puritan NH town in 1777, the heroic transformation of a local ne're-do-well, and the confused loves of the minister's young wife - all told with irony and humor. It premiered in New York City in 1897.

The Hourglass Readers is dedicated to performing dramatic readings of classical works in abridged versions. Catherine Behrens will direct a cast that includes Peter Eisenstadter, Sarah Ellsworth, Martin Hanft, Lili Hanft, Michael Ierardi, Jeff Roblee, Don Wilmeth, and Ben Wise. Music and sound effects will be provided by Frank Behrens.

The Actors on the Early American Stage exhibit explores the history of the early American theatre through playbills, posters, letters, photographs, and a variety of other artifacts that document the lives and careers of such actors as Fanny Kemble, the Booth family, Lotta Crabtree, Swanzey's Denman Thompson, and James O'Neill and Maude Adams, both of whom performed in Keene. Exhibit sponsors include Ariel Printing, Creative Encounters, Carin Torp Healing Arts PLLC, and the Keene Sentinel.

The Historical Society of Cheshire County, located at 246 Main Street in Keene, is open to the public on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. For further information, contact the Historical Society at 352-1895 or view its website at www.hsccnh.org.