RSC sent to Coventry for poetic vision of England

Published: 10 November 2012
Reporter: Steve Orme

Redcrosse

The Royal Shakespeare Company will be performing its interpretation of a new poetic liturgy for England and St George on Saturday (17 November).

Luke Kernaghan will direct a one-off performance of Redcrosse, which was conceived by Ewan Fernie, professor of Shakespeare studies at the University of Birmingham. It will be staged in Coventry Cathedral as part of its golden jubilee celebrations.

Redcrosse brings St George into the present and offers a new vision of England through poetry by the former poet laureate Andrew Motion; the winner of this year’s Costa prize Jo Shapcott; Michael Symmons Roberts; and Andrew Shanks.

The production also includes original music by Grammy award-winning Tim Garland for the trio Acoustic Triangle and the Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London.

Redcrosse premiered at the Windsor Spring Festival. This will be the first performance for a Midlands audience.

Luke Kernaghan said, “It’s such an honour to be presenting Redcrosse as part of Coventry Cathedral’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

“As a director, you’re very rarely given the opportunity to be creative in such an inspiring environment as this Cathedral.

“Moreover, the text of Redcrosse matches and reflects the stunning fusions at the heart of the building itself—it’s epic yet intimate, poetic yet direct, rooted in England’s mythic past yet unequivocally contemporary.”

He added, “In a year of jubilee celebrations and Olympic achievements, the question of what defines ‘Englishness’ and how we relate to our national flag have never been so relevant.

“This is an exhilarating and exciting project that I hope will celebrate such a unique text and extraordinary building.”

Professor Fernie commented, “Coventry Cathedral holds a particularly important place in British history and it also stands as eloquent testimony to peace and reconciliation. For these reasons it’s perfect for a new work which celebrates what England is and could be.

Redcrosse is a liturgy for everyone—all spiritual seekers, anyone who’s seeking something better and seeking others who want the same.

“It ultimately celebrates England and St George in terms of our potential openness to each other and to truth.

“It also attempts to reclaim Englishness and St George from damagingly narrow, jingoistic conceptions.”

Redcrosse takes place at Coventry Cathedral on Saturday at 1:30PM. Tickets which cost £8.00 (£6.50 concessions) can be booked through the Coventry Cathedral web site.

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