It was one of the most groundbreaking productions in the history of Scottish theatre.
Now, nearly 30 years later, Witch’s Blood will cast its spell again when it is revived for one night only at DC Thomson’s West Ward Works.
When the play was produced in 1987 it captured the imagination of the city.
Audiences of 1,000 people were driven across Dundee to watch the play in a number of outdoor locations before gathering for a grand finale at Dudhope Park.
The play, based on the book by William Blain, tells the story of four generations of a Dundee family descended from a woman executed in the city’s Seagate for being a witch.
The 1987 production was hugely popular and director Alan Lyddiard is now planning a one-off event in May before, hopefully, developing an all new production for 2017 utilising the latest digital technology.
He said: “Witch’s Blood is still remembered with tremendous affection by many people and is regarded as a seminal moment in the development of the community arts movement that is flourishing in Dundee today.
“We want to capture the enthusiasm and sense of community we had 30 years ago, but translate it into a version that is very much of the 21st Century.
“Using available technology and new digital art forms we plan to re-imagine the story for a contemporary audience.”
The one-off Remembering Witch’s Blood event in May will bring together members of the original production team, such as writer John Harvey, as well as a new generation from the digital games community and others that have strong links to the show.
These include musician Alice Marra whose father, Michael, was the musical director for Witch’s Blood.
Alice said: “I didn’t have to think twice when Alan approached me. The chance to work on something that was so important for the city and meant so much to the hundreds of people involved with it is a great privilege.”
Alan said: “Songs from the original production will be performed, bringing together memories and feelings of Dundee’s desperate past, optimistic present and exciting future.”