The Elysium Theatre Company gains Heritage Lottery Fund support for their ambitious Shakespeare and History project:
The Wars of the Roses
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| Wrong! Henry IV will be at 3pm on Saturday 23 June |
Today, The Elysium Theatre Company has received £5,300 from the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting project, The Wars of the Roses. Led by student and recent graduate
volunteers from in and around Exeter and based at The University of Exeter
Drama Department, the project stages Shakespeare’s entire medieval history
cycle and culminates in a two-day festival of theatre and heritage at The
National Trust’s Buckland Abbey in Yelverton on 11-12th August 2012.
The performance will present the history plays in succession over a
single weekend, interspersed with ambitious re-enactments of the wars and other
Living History activities, bringing the historical setting to life: costumed
re-enactors, music, dance, crafts and talks will provide an immersive medieval
experience for this exciting and entertaining educational event.
The aim of this production is to promote learning through the engagement
of theatre with heritage: it will bring together the different skills of actors
and re-enactors, and people working professionally in both the theatre and
heritage sectors, combining them to create an impressive event that showcases
the period of history and the plays of Shakespeare. It will give practitioners
of Shakespearean drama the chance to work with, and learn from, historical
re-enactment enthusiasts and vice versa.
The audience who come to the event will have the chance to see
Shakespeare’s plays in a historical setting, presented in a new and stimulating
way. Through a range of activities including seminars led by staff at the
University of Exeter, theatrical workshops run by theatre professionals and
postgraduate students of Drama, and talks held by staff at Buckland Abbey, the
young people involved in the production will be given opportunities to develop
theatrical skills as well as knowledge of medieval life and Elizabethan
literary and dramatic heritage.
The project gives the performers involved the unique opportunity to
combine theatre and heritage in some wonderful historical locations, and in
some exciting theatrical spaces. As well as the final performance of the entire
cycle at Buckland Abbey, the company is also giving performances of single
plays and extracts at Poltimore House on 16th June, the University
of Exeter Piazza (Streatham Campus) on
22nd and 23rd June, and at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Dell theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon on 1st July. The project is part of
the Royal Shakespeare Open Stages scheme, and a regional showcase of all participants’ productions in
the South West is taking place at Hall for Cornwall on 20th June.
The Elysium Theatre Company is an organisation that produces innovative
productions of classic plays, rendering them exciting and accessible to modern
audiences. They provide people with the chance to get involved in all aspects
of theatre practice – from acting to stage management, costume-making to
marketing – while expanding their knowledge of literary and cultural heritage.
Through this project, the company will provide many young people from a range
of backgrounds with opportunities to take part in a high-profile, ambitious and
unique event. Working with theatre professionals and postgraduates, and
receiving educational talks from heritage experts, The Wars of the Roses participants will gain a deeper insight
into medieval English history, and local historical sites, as well as having
the chance to acquire valuable theatrical skills to use as they develop their
careers.
Commenting on the award, Artistic Director Ellie Chadwick (aged 24)
said: “We are delighted to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery
Fund: everyone involved is excited about the workshops, talks, rehearsals and
performances that are coming up and cannot wait to get properly started with
this unique and exciting project”.
Richard Bellamy, HLF’s Acting Head of South West said: “In a year in
which the works of Shakespeare are being widely celebrated as part of the
cultural Olympiad, we are delighted to be able to support the Elysium Theatre
company’s innovative exploration of the History plays and the period in which
they are set. The project will enable the young people involved to gain a range
of theatre skills, whilst learning more about their local and national
heritage”
Performances
Saturday, June 16: Henry V, at Poltimore House, 7pm
Tickets £5 http://poltimore.eventbrite.co.uk/
Wednesday, June 20: RSC
Showcase at Hall for Cornwall , Truro
http://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/
Friday,
June 22: 1 Henry IV at
Piazza, University Campus at 1.30pm Tickets £5/£4.
Available from Exeter
Northcott Theatre – 01392 493493
*This performance is free for schools.
Email
elysiumtheatre@hotmail.co.uk for more details
Saturday,
June 23: Richard III (11am); 1 Henry IV (3pm) Piazza, University Campus
Tickets £5/£4. Book
both Saturday shows for £8/6.
Tickets available from Exeter Northcott Theatre –
01392 493493
http://www.exeternorthcott.co.uk/
Sunday, July 1: The Dell Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
(12pm and 3pm)
https://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/events/the-dell.aspx#01062012-31082012
Saturday and Sunday August 11-12: The
National Trust’s Buckland Abbey, 10.30am-5.30pm.
Day One: The Rise of the
House of Lancaster :
Richard II – Henry V.
Day Two:
The Wars of the Roses: 1 Henry VI –
Richard III.
Sections performed at intervals throughout the day,
with
battle re-enactments and medieval Living History activities.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey/things-to-see-and-do/events/#iframeEvents
For more information visit:
http://theelysiumtheatrecompany.wordpress.com/
About The Elysium Theatre Company
The Elysium Theatre Company was originally founded by students, for
students, and is an organisation that combines theatre practice with education
and skills-exchange. It aims to create innovative performances of classic
plays, rendering them exciting and accessible to modern audiences, and has a
particular interest in Shakespearean drama. The company provides exciting
opportunities for young people to get involved in all aspects of theatre
practice, and seeks to widen horizons and improve the career prospects of the
young people involved in their productions.
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery
Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and
future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks
and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural
traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported
over 30,000 projects, allocating £4.6billion across the UK . Website:
www.hlf.org.uk
For further information, images and interviews, please
contact Emily Evans at The Elysium Theatre Company on
elysiumtheatre@hotmail.co.uk
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