Women, History and the Stage: Creative Encounters with the Medieval Past
When:
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Venue:
Birkbeck 43 Gordon Square
How are we remembered and how do our stories get told? Featuring the lives of two medieval women, 'Women, History and the Stage' investigates this through a performance and discussion.
The discussion brings together playwright Sarah Dickenson and Birkbeck’s Matthew Davies for an in depth exploration of their collaboration on 'Bonaventure', a new work by Sarah being written for Shakespeare’s Globe and Exeter Northcott Theatre. Sarah's play examines the life of Thomasine Bonaventure, an extraordinary fifteenth century Cornish woman who rose to prominence in London society, but whose Cornish connections endured throughout her life. Sarah and Matthew will discuss the creative and historical processes behind bringing Thomasine’s world to the stage, reflecting on the challenges of working with fragmentary historic sources, negotiating the line between fact and fiction, and engaging with different contemporary communities who feel a sense of connection or “ownership” over her story.
There is also a new devised performance, 'The Will of Ellen Langwith' which extendis the conversation into new artistic territory. This 20-30 minute performance is by students from Birkbeck's renowned MFA Theatre Directors. It unpicks the threads of a medieval silk woman’s life. From Ellen Langwith’s will, we discover what survives of a life when the work is done.
The evening culminates in a joint Q&A with all contributors. Bring your thoughts and ideas.
Contact name: Sue Wiseman
SpeakersTags: