RABBLE Theatre are delighted to announce that Arts Council England have confirmed investment of £30,000 into the development of our new play, William the Conqueror.
The play will be the prequel to our Henry I, produced in 2023 in Reading Abbey, Winchester Great Hall and The Actor’s Church, Covent Garden to significant critical acclaim (Telegraph Top 5 UK Show, OffComm Commendation, SITS Regional Production of the Year, Muddy Stilettos Winner, 11 x 5 Star reviews)
2027 marks the 1,000th birthday of William and we are pleased to be developing the play in advance of the millennium, which will be marked across England and Normandy. Beth Flintoff, RABBLE’s associate playwright, will be writing the play and there will be a number of familiar names in the creative team, alongside some exciting new influences. The team will undergo a week of Research & Development on the script from 23rd June, ending on Saturday 28th June when the public will be able to attend a rare and exclusive “Come and See” event, with performances of work-in-progress scenes, demonstrations of how the music is created, talks from project partners and presentations from the core team.
“In a time when 82% of applications to Arts Council England are rejected and wonderful organisations across the country are fighting for existence, we are delighted, humbled and honoured to have received this investment from ACE. The potential is significant. This is without doubt our most ambitious creative adventure.” Toby Davies, Artistic Director
