THE new Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Sarah Mullally, made a classic pilgrimage from London to Canterbury before her recent installation as the Anglican church’s first female archbishop. Hopefully she had some entertaining moments amid the serious intent of her journey, but it’s doubtful she had quite the rumbustious time that Chaucer’s pilgrims enjoyed – and audiences can share at Broadmayne village hall on 17th and 18th April.
Dorchester Drama is always adventurous with its programme choices. This spring, the group has moved out of the county town, and will be staging six of these famous mediaeval tales with five directors, Colin Elphick, Jordan Wiseman, Ivana Dalton, Tilda Samson and Colin Davidson, giving each story its own unique flavour. There is one overall director, Colin Elphick, in charge of the cohesion of the plays, and Fran Samson is the producer.
Chaucer wrote 24 Canterbury Tales, told by different characters as they make their pilgrimage to Canterbury, the site of the assassination and burial of St Thomas a Becket.
Colin Elphick explains: “The stories we have chosen to tell – The Knight’s Tale, The Wife of Bath’s Tale, The Pardoner’s Tale, The Franklin’s Tale, The Nun Priest’s Tale and The Miller’s Tale – explore issues of love, religion and death, still fundamental to this day of our human existence.”
Adapted by Ken Pickering, the stories are notable for their bawdy humour, and the Dorchester Drama selection includes a selection with bed hopping, some fruity language, gambling, drinking and a (fake) bare bottom.
Thomas Hardye School A-level student Tilda Samson is the youngest director, jointly running the Nun’s Priest’s Tale with Jordan Wiseman. It’s the tale of a vain but highly-strung cockerel, his beautiful hen-wife and a wily fox with plans for his next meal.
Tilda said: “As a first-time director, Some Canterbury Tales has opened my eyes to a whole new world in theatre. I have especially enjoyed working alongside more experienced people. It’s going to be a really fun show!”
The costumes range from armour for the knights to the rough clothes of the peasants and elegant gowns for the damsels. They have been brought together by a talented team led by Mel Austin.
Dorchester Drama’s production of Some Canterbury Tales is at Broadmayne village hall on Friday and Saturday, 17th and 18th April at 7.30pm with a 2pm Saturday matinee. Tickets are available from https://wegottickets.com/DorchesterDrama/
Pictured: Battling knights, the cockerel Chaunticleer and his wife and pilgrims and barmaids