Sunlight breaking through the trees in the New Forest
Young actors take to the stage this October for a new play produced as part of The Berry Theatre’s Road to Agincourt project.
The Road to Glory tells the story of a group of young villagers, some of them barely out of childhood, who enlist in King Henry V’s army and set sail from Southampton to claim the throne of France for England.
Each has a different reason for going and their expectations vary, but none has any experience of fighting in a war. The play follows them on their journey through France until finally they come face to face with the mightiest army in Europe. What happens will change their lives forever.
The Road to Glory is a new play by Neil Duffield, specially commissioned by The Berry Theatre to highlight the role the region and its people played in the now legendary battle of Agincourt and Henry V’s journey to war. Supported by Arts Council and Heritage Lottery Fund, the play features a cast made up of local young actors from across Hampshire and will receive its premiere at the Hedge End venue.
Directed by Daniel Hill, it combines both fact and fantasy in a fast-paced, physical production that takes us from rural England to the bloodshed of the battle of Agincourt itself.
The Berry Theatre in Wildern Lane, Hedge End, presents The Road to Glory on Friday, October 30 at 7.30pm and Saturday, October 31 at 2pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 & £6 (concs).
Ahead of the premiere performance on Friday, October 30, there will be an In Conversation With… Professor Anne Curry. One of the world’s leading experts on Agincourt, Prof Curry will discuss the now legendary battle with Dr Cheryl Butler. Audience members will also have an opportunity to ask questions and there will be a book signing by Prof Curry.
The In Conversation With… Professor Anne Curry takes place from 6.15pm to 7pm.
On Saturday, October 31 playwright Neil Duffield will discuss his career and the process of writing The Road to Glory with its Director Daniel Hill in a special Q&A. This will also be an opportunity to ask questions in an open discussion with the writer himself.
The Q & A with Neil Duffield is on from 5pm to 6pm tickets are £6 & £5 (concs) or £3 if bought in conjunction with a ticket for The Road to Glory.
To find out more or to book tickets, call the box office on 023 8065 2333 or visit www.theberrytheatre.co.uk
More information on the Road to Agincourt project is available from www.roadtoagincourt.co.uk
