The ruins of Reading Abbey, in the shadow of Reading Gaol, provide a perfect setting for historical drama. If the walls could talk, they would have some tales to tell, and you can imagine Oscar Wilde peering out of his cell bars into the ruins. Rabble Theatre led by Toby and Dani Davies are based in Reading and are making a habit of telling local stories, so the Life and Times of Henry I (1068-1135), the youngest son of William the Conqueror, who founded the Abbey, and many people believe is buried in the grounds is a perfect fit. Beth Flintoff’s play is a straightforward chronological docu-drama of his life which at times sounds like it is based on Wikipedia. In British history, we have little familiarity with events between the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the accidental death of King William Rufus in 1100 in the New Forest and the foundation of the Abbey in 1121, so the play provides a fascinating insight into political and social challenges in the periods in between.
They describe themselves as presenting “physical theatre” and Flintoff’s structure includes a delightful combination of original medieval chants and music, highly effective dance sequences, immersive elements drawing the audience into the story and clambering up and down the two-level set. The direction by Hal Chambers creates a high-energy, engaging experience with some lovely comical moments and wonderfully choreographed full-on fight scenes. The script does not shy away from the brutality of Medieval England with rape, eye gouging, pushing an enemy off the tower and leprosy depicted. Flintoff adds a feminist perspective with Adele, Countess of Blois, a lovely performance of earnest authority from Amy Conachan who makes the case that females can be rulers but also argues, “men make wars, women make the future”. Henry’s wife Edith played with charm and great stage presence by Georgie Fellows is also depicted as smart, well-educated and a force to be reckoned with. The only time the script falters is when Henry and Edith (also known as Matilda) becomes narrators of their own story to cover a passage of time, although occasionally phrases jump out as too modern like “I’ll write a book about it”, or “Like it, I love it”.
Henry is played by Rabble founder Toby Davies, and he conveys the curious mixture of characteristics well. He is a heroic fighter, seen often in combat against his enemies, overlooked heir, a philandering misogynist, with a string of illegitimate children all given profile, a caring husband, a petulant brutal ruler and finally a broken man. We see his mood swings and while we may not like his actions, we generally remain sympathetic to his dilemmas and responses. Less with his brother Robert Curthose (played with a sneer by Mark Middleton given Normandy by his dying father but a constant dissatisfied and cowardly figure who rather surprisingly departs on the Crusades. The third brother, the youthful William Rufus played by Gabrielle Shepperd steals every scene with her energetic strutting, posturing and alluring staring eyes and continues her eye-catching performance when she returns as Henry’s son William in Act 2. She also emphatically and dynamically leads the best dance routines to depict some of the great moments of drama in the story.For all the brothers’ faults, the villain of the story is Robert De Belleme played in black (with protective knee pads!) by Greg Barnett and looking like he might be an ancestor of the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham in the tales of Robin Hood. He is a constant thorn in Henry’s side from the first encounter when he rapes the Miller’s wife (Georgie Fellows seems to have a tough time in a succession of appearances and must be relieved she gets to shine as Edith!). You wonder why Henry just did not kill him at the first opportunity. The force for good throughout is the pious and loyal Roger (Joseph Black) who goes on to be Bishop of Salisbury.
The show is very well dressed using some well-chosen regal leggings, great tunics, sweeping trains that clearly distinguish both status and the character's personality and amusing curly shoes. The lighting comes into its own as the sun sets and adds to the atmospheric conclusion following a dramatic burning castle and dramatic White Ship sinking. Together the play gives an insightful glimpse into the brutality of Medieval England, the squabbling nobles and royal family who fought to grab power, marriages of political convenience rather than love and the emergence of a national identity away from the Norman/French roots. Henry I may not have created the memorable legacy of British monarchs that followed like Henry VIII, Charles II or Queen Victoria but he may have laid some foundations and as he points out “at least he built the abbey”. There could be no more fitting place to learn about his life than through this play in kits ruins. It runs to 1st July before visiting Winchester Great Hall and Covent Garden.
Review by Nick Wayne
Rating: ★★★★
Seat: Stalls | Price of Ticket: £29
