The Isis Theatre Company

Huntington Castle Theatre

On the evening of September 17, 2004, the newly refurbished Huntington Castle Theater, which is located on the grounds of Clonegal Castle, re-opened it's doors.  A dramatised version of the letters of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh was presented by the English Chamber Theatre’s Irish Literary of “Dearest Nancy, Darling Evelyn”. The production is based on the correspondence between Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh. These two remarkable literary figures of the twentieth century were members of a glittering and brilliant group of contemporaries, whose names were household words at the time.

On December 21st, 2004 in honor of Winter Solstice, a version of the FOI Liturgy drama the “Opening of the Eye of Vision” from the book “Melusina, Life Centres of the Goddess” was performed. It was produced by Catherine Sothern and enacted under the title "The Eye of Vision" by the prestigious Carlow Little Theatre Society on the stage of the theatre at Huntington Castle.

The play and the liturgy drama upon which it was based were both written by Lady Olivia Robertson, who is FOI co-founder and an accomplished author and artist. The play was followed by a lecture presented by Lady Olivia titled "Brigid - Goddess and Saint." The event was sponsored by WolfBlass and promoted by Red Promotions. It was the second theatrical production held in Huntington Castle Theatre since the extensive renovations that were completed earlier in 2004.

It had its own electric lighting long before the ESB was ever heard of as Huntington Castle was one of the first houses in rural Ireland to have electric light. Alexander Durdin having installed electric lighting in the castle from a generator which was driven by a turbine which was turned by water from the river Derry. The first lighting of the castle was in 1888.” (Carlow Nationalist)

The Isis Theatre Company is Formed

In the Spring of 2005, Gwendoline Rouiller, Dame Commander of the Noble Order of Tara of the Fellowship of Isis, was walking on Mount Leinster with her two cats Phoenix and Ashtar. Dame Gwendoline who is a respected healing practitioner, has a previous professional background in nightclub management, and is head of Red Promotions, the company that had promoted "The Eye of Vision" at Winter Solstice at Huntington Castle Theatre. She was mulling over a possible solution to scheduling problems that had arisen when attempting to form a tour with the theatre group. It was then that she received an idea that was truly inspired - she and Lady Olivia could form their own organization for the performance of Lady Olivia’s Mystical and Alchemical plays!

When the concept of forming their own theatre company was presented to Lady Olivia, her response was immediately enthusiastic. Dame Gwendoline writes: “…the idea refused to be kept contained in any way and within a week I found myself mentioning it to Olivia. Immediately her eyes lit up! ‘That’s a great idea, lets do it.’ Thus the Isis Theatre Company was born and on May 1st the first recording was made.”

On Saturday, June 4th, 2005 at Huntington Castle Theatre, the “The Eye of Vision” was again presented as a theatrical performance, this time by the newly formed Isis Theatre Company. In addition to the text of the FOI Liturgy drama “Opening of the Eye of Vision” the play included additional materials, an introduction which included a lovely passage from “Winged Destiny” by Fiona MacLeod (William Sharp), music sung by Jessica Galvan, Lady Olivia Robertson acting as narrator and guide, announcing the various scenes and dances and providing commentary, along with beautiful, original musical compositions by Minette Quick, ArchDruidess of the Druid Clan of Dana.

Dame Gwendoline writes: “Everyone present with a heart could hear and feel the energy behind the genius of Olivia’s writings.”

And it was the intuitive vision, the willingness to listen to that inner voice and to act upon it by Dame Gwendoline, that helped to create this exciting new venue within the Fellowship of Isis - the Isis Theatre Company.

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