York Theatre Royal – until Sunday 30th July 2023
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
4****
York’s current summer community play is a world premier adaptation of C.J. Sansom’s novel, Sovereign. It’s a Tudor whodunit, full of murder, treason, and conspiracy, adapted to stage by York playwright Mike Kenny and co-directed by Juliet Forster, Mingyu Lin and John R. Wilkinson.
Set in 1541, Matthew Shardlake (Fergus Rattigan), a London lawyer, and his sidekick Jack Barak (Sam Thorpe-Spinks) have arrived in York ahead of King Henry VIII and his fifth wife Catherine Howard. Not only are they there to smooth the way for the King but they have been tasked with a secret mission, to ensure that a prisoner is delivered safely to the Tower of London for interrogation. Things take a turn for the worst when a local glazier is murdered, the prisoner poisoned and all sorts of shenanigans occurring. Part-time sleuth, Shardlake investigates, uncovering secrets that could lead to the demise of the Tudor dynasty. Who is behind it all? It certainly kept me guessing.
How fitting that not only is the book centred mostly in York, but King’s Manor, the outdoor setting for this show, is an integral part of the story. We are so lucky in York to have such history and stunning buildings. King’s Manor is now part of the University of York’s campus, who have partnered with York Theatre Royal and is just over the road from the theatre. All the action takes place in the courtyard, with a huge tree taking centre stage.
The courtyard is bustling for the majority and told through the voices of the people of York, narrated by the women of York. It features a large local cast of over community production on a grand scale that is utilised to its full potential. You really feel involved in all the hustle and bustle and the action going on all around you.
Rattigan and Thorpe-Spinks share a camaraderie and are confident in their roles as the dogged investigator and his lovable, jack the lad companion. They may be the only two professional actors in the show, but the rest of the cast held their own, with some strong individual performances. Of note were Livvy Potter as the royal servant, and Jack’s love interest, Tamasin Reedbourne, Nick Naidu-Bock as the tortured prisoner Edward Broderick, and Joe Hopper as the sadistic jailer Fulke Radwinter.
The city scenes when Henry VIII appeared in York, included puppetry. Magnificent horses, manned by three actors each, trotting along in harmony with their flowing manes and swishing tails, a caged bear, and some fighting cockerels. It is always good to see the imagination that goes into creating such amazing props.
The costumes, designed by Hazel Fall, are absolutely stunning. The amount of work that has gone into creating so many wonderful costumes for so many people is mind blowing and huge congratulations must go to all the staff and volunteers in the costume department.
If the cast wasn’t huge enough, they are supported by a wonderful choir, who sit in gazebo to the side of the stage. I was lucky enough to sit at the end of the row and could see them in action, but to hear them was something else.
I must say I was fully engrossed in all the action in the first half, but it did wane after the interval, before the final revelation. Make sure that if you do have tickets that you take a cushion to sit on, remember it is outside and though the seating area is covered it could get chilly and seating is not reserved. The poor cast have to work with no cover, whatever the elements.
York really does this type of theatre so well and should be proud of this amazing community project. This is an impressive bit of theatre full of passion and enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, it looks like the run has now all sold out, but York Theatre Royal will be holding free screenings at the end of August, make sure you catch it then.