Gawain and The Green Knight

If you missed Four of Swords Theatre’s productions of Macbeth in Beer Quarry Caves this year and Jekyll and Hyde at Poltimore House last year, both of which sold out weeks in advance, you’ll need to book early for the Exeter company’s next theatrical experience.

From 3-7 June, Exeter Cathedral hosts Four of Swords Theatre's production of Gawain and The Green Knight, adapted from one of the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Exeter Cathedral is the city's most important landmark, and a spectacular example of Medieval architecture. It is a beautiful and wholly appropriate setting for the retelling of this Middle English tale. Just as the building of the Cathedral itself combines traditional Christian emblems with a rich array of nature imagery, such as the Green Man in the roof bosses, so this classic story describes the conflict between Christian values and an older, darker system of pagan nature worship.

Gawain and the Green Knight will be performed as part of Exeter Ignite Festival. Tickets are on sale now from www.four-of-swords.com and are just £7. There is a special cheaper ticket deal if you book 5 events in the Ignite Festival, details of which are available at www.igniteexeter.org.uk

Founded by Sarah White and Philip Kingslan John, Four of Swords Theatre has created a portfolio of extraordinary shows in a very short space of time. It was the determination of these friends and colleagues, both born and brought up in Exeter, to create sensational, site specific, immersive theatre. As the company’s track record demonstrates, they have achieved this and struck a chord with audiences throughout the south west.

Sarah, who appears as  Morgan Le Fay as well as directing the production, is excited at the prospect of reworking the show, which had a successful run at the Exeter Phoenix last Christmas, in one of the UK’s most awe-inspiring cathedrals.

“All of our productions are designed to make use of existing sites, and are promenade in nature with company members leading the audience through the action, so we are not limited by scenery or the dimensions of a stage,” she says. “Exeter Cathedral will provide a magnificent setting for our story. Audience members will be able to let their imaginations soar and even spot references in the architecture.”

Philip, co-directing and puppeteering the Green Knight, explains: “This story has a lot to say about humanity's relationship with the planet, a very resonant theme at the moment with the current government committing us to fracking and other non-sustainable sources of energy. In our version, Arthur and his knights are pitched as post-apocalyptic bikers, members of a dystopian society which has over-exploited its natural resources and who do not have a close connection with the natural world like the Green Knight.”

Four of Swords has designed a show which is inventive and eclectic yet remains faithful to the source material. As well as striking make-up and costume designs, it features one massive puppet, projected film sequences and live musical accompaniment. 

This is a promenade piece of theatre so audiences will be standing and walking throughout the majority of the show, in the thick of the action. Four of Swords Theatre advises that you will not be required to fight with swords.