Staged Reading of The Tryal (1798)

The Tryal, from the first volume of Joanna Baillie’s larger Series of Plays on the Passions (1798-1812/1836), is a comedy on the absurdity of love. It features two young women, Agnes and Mariane, who secretly trade places. Portionless Mariane acts the part of her wealthy cousin in a bid to torment suitors interested in Agnes only for her wealth. In turn, Agnes pretends not only to be poor but also an increasingly obnoxious shrew, in hopes of asce...