A THEATRE company in Reading has been given exclusive access to perform its upcoming production inside Reading Gaol this summer.
RABBLE Theatre is set to bring its latest show, William the Conqueror, written by associate writer, Beth Flintoff, to the hallowed site of the former prison.
It is the first time the doors will be open for a public event since the gaol was bought by the Ziran Education Foundation.
With investment from Arts Council England, the project is being developed ahead of the Conqueror’s millennium birthday in 2027/8, when RABBLE plan a national tour of the show.
At the event, audiences will be taken through the site into the Victorian prison’s Old Chapel, where one of England’s greatest playwrights, Oscar Wilde, was cruelly punished for making eye contact with a fellow male prisoner whilst incarcerated for the ‘crime’ of homosexuality.
RABBLE will also be presenting a deep dive into the professional creative process behind their new play.
This will be introduced by actor and artistic director, Toby Davies, who played Henry I in the titular production, which will eventually settle as part two of RABBLE’s Conquerors Trilogy.
Beth Flintoff, who is also associate writer at London’s Royal Court, will present an overview of the extraordinary story, before RABBLE’s associate director, Hal Chambers discusses the world that he and the RABBLE team are creating.
Hal will then introduce scenes from the play, performed by the professional cast.
Fight Director Dani Mac and Movement Director Gareth Taylor will explain how they’re merging combat and movement with new influences to capture the chaos of war, before electronic composer Benjamin Hudson will demonstrate live how he is creating the soundtrack.
Project partners and specialists associated with the prison itself will also present to the audience.
Toby Davies, RABBLE’s artistic director said: “RABBLE in the Gaol is an exciting prospect.
We know the prison well, having campaigned since 2012 for it to be saved for artistic purposes.
“What happened to Oscar Wilde was wrong and sad, but if we can produce thought-provoking, life-affirming theatre in the space, then perhaps that’s a little green carnation of justice.
“We hope that our work paves the way for other artistic ventures to take place inside this extraordinary historical site.”
The event will take place at Reading Gaol on Saturday, June 28.
