Pioneering inclusive theatre company Chickenshed is to stage a new version of its 1997 story The King’s Web from 4 to 17 March.
Originally produced as a 40-minute ballet, this story of love and rebellion is being restaged as a play with a cast of professional actors and over 100 students from Chickenshed’s education programmes.
The King’s Web is set in a country faced with civil war, where the people are compromised by a weak ruler and different factions fight to make their voices heard. An old folk tale – the story of a king who cut himself off from his people by using spider webs as a defence – is told by the people as a symbol of hope against the oppressors. The ruler’s daughter uses the story as she tries to save her father and the people from losing something more precious than their freedom, the loss of their humanity.
To coincide with the production, Chickenshed is offering theatregoers aged 12 to 18 the chance to take part in a free workshop when they buy a ticket to the show.
Taking place on 12 March, the hour-long workshop is an exciting way to explore the themes and techniques used to tell the story on stage. Combining acting, movement and music, the workshop will be led by a team of Chickenshed experts who will all be performing in The King’s Web.
For more information on the workshop and to book, call 020 8292 9222.
CB