Part 1: William Shakespeare’s Henry VI Part I.
The start of the War of the Roses. The Royal Shakespeare Company performs by candlelight in the Great Hall with the ancient Coventry Tapestry and the Kings Window (stained glass shrine) depicting St Henry VI and his ancestors as a backdrop.
Part 2: Twelve Dilemmas from the Mysteries in puppetry and mime.
Accompanied by strings, sax and percussion, Tribal Soul's eclectic version of The Mystery Plays evokes the laughter and uncertainties of community life through biblical characters and stories set in the Courtyard, Great Hall, Armoury and other nooks and crannies of St.Mary's Guildhall. Expect to participate with the characters as they discuss and resolve their dilemmas with unexpected contemporary twists.
who:
Tribal Soul - Anwa Essien and Patrice Naiambana - are story and art creators for all seasons; producers of cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural works/events inspired by African performance and culture; and facilitators of workshop collaborations for all sectors of society. History consultant on Mirror of Ages is Coventry historian David McGrory, who had the inspirational idea for an RSC Henry VI at St.Mary's.
why:
The Kings Window, a stained glass shrine to St Henry VI, has stood in the Great Hall since the 1490s and has been gazed on by rulers, players and citizens, all actors in the search for transcendent hope. A list of 300 miracles and 174 wonders witnessed after Henry VI's murder was sent to Rome. And so we gather round the original stage where thousands of souls once stood to watch plays by candlelight, where Shakespeare breathed out his tales, to ask the eternal question: what king, what wonder, what miracle will save and guide us now?
where:
The 14th Century guildhall of St.Mary's has grown in size and been altered several times since it was first built, reflecting the power and wealth of the guilds in Coventry at a time when the city was one of the most important in the country. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in the fortified Caesar's Tower for two months from November 1569, and the hall was used as the council chamber from at least 1441 until 1865.
when:
Henry VI
15 nights 7.30pm
Duration 3hours
Audience capacity 180
Age recommendation 8+
Twelve Dilemmas
15 nights 7.30pm
1.30 matinee
Duration 2hours
Audience Capacity 180
Age recommendation 4+
Venue Access Audit (carried out by the artist/producer).
This is intended as a guide for other artists and producers considering staging an event in the venue. However please note that the guidance given here is a subjective assessment of the venue as of May 2004.
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For key to symbols, see Access page
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Is there a suitable get-in to the venue/site for equipment etc?
There are wide entrance doors and stairs making get-ins/outs easily carried out.
Is the venue accessible to wheelchair users? and if not, what would it take to make it accessible?
The venue is accessible for wheelchair users. However the upper floor and rooms of the building are not accessible due to a very narrow and winding stone staircase, so this would have to be considered when deciding which spaces to use for performance. Also due to fire regulations only two wheelchair users may be permitted in the venue at any one time, which would have to be made clear with respect to booking.
Are there toilets, including a wheelchair accessible toilet?
Yes.
How easy is it to find the venue?
The venue is easily located by local maps and sign-posted from the city centre. A major landmark is the Cathedral ruins, directly opposite. The Old Cathedral's spire may be seen from the ring road on approaching Coventry and there are clear signs to the Cathedral on the ring road approach. Vehicles may be driven up to the entrance for off loading. Walking to the venue from the city centre is very straight-forward.
Is there car parking nearby?
There are clear signs to parking and 'Cathedral Parking' on the ring road approach to the city. These are 4mins walk to the venue. Limited disabled only parking is permitted during the day nearby the venue.
Is there space for bar/hospitality?
There is a bar selling alcohol and spirits and other refreshment.
After dark?
It appears to be a lit area but not with normal streetlight illumination, with a restaurant's customer yard visibly backing onto the side of the venue. However it is a quiet area and the Cathedral ruins might be imposing for some at night. The entrance to the venue is not very striking. Stewards with relevant attention grabbing attire/tactics ushering (and advertising) people towards the venue might be useful for evening events.
Box office facilities?
These may be easily improvised and there is adequate space to erect box office/front of house facilities.
Family and Child Friendly?
There are no picnic areas and tables to spread pate and Doritos. Neither are their immediate access to toilets, baby changing facilities etc. However the café is in the courtyard and serves refreshments in a stone medieval setting.
Additional Information
Any further information or research that needs to be done concerning the venue then David McGrory the Senior Heritage Assistant is a must. An extremely valuable asset to Coventry and anyone wanting to do anything at the venue. He is a veritable treasure trove of information and stories spanning 650 years of St Mary's local and national significance. With 12 books on Coventry's history, he is a leading historian and investigator of Coventry's past. He is at the venue during opening hours Sunday to Thurs, 10 am - 4pm.
links: Tribal Soul | St. Mary's Hall | Royal Shakespeare Company
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