An American horror writer’s work was celebrated in Irvine at Hallowe’en.
New Ayrshire company Poetic Justice Productions staged a night in celebration of the master of the macabre in Duncan’s Bar on October 31 – with readings of The Conqueror Worm, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado and The Raven.
They also performed an excerpt from a a new play titled The Gift of God, which revisits the Irvine witch trials.
Poe famously lived in Irvine as a youngster after the death of his parents, when he was then looked after by Scottish merchant John Allan.
Local history enthusiast Billy Kerr opened the evening, telling how young Edgar would write epitaphs from gravestones in Irvine’s Old Parish Church Kirkyard.
He said: “One thing I’ve been trying to do is promote Edgar Allan Poe in the town, given his strong historical connections to Irvine. This young boy Edgar Allan Poe became a giant in world literature and a cultural icon. His middle name Allan is an Irvine name.
“It has always surprised me how little recognition Edgar Allan Poe has in this town.”
Left to right. Poetic Justice Productions Steven Duffy, Helen Aitken and Neil Smith
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