A new production of The Faerie Queen, which runs at the Lilian Baylis theatre this December, will use sustainable and recycled materials to create sets and costumes for the enchanting tale. London-based company Cilgwyn Theatre has hunted through warehouse clearances, scrap merchants and junk depots to source the material from which to create its production.
The company, founded in 2005, strives to find ways of making theatre more relevant. The use of ecologically friendly materials is the latest idea, following on from its embrace of technology. The company uses podcasts and blogs to encourage involvement and interactivity, focusing on working with young people and vulnerable groups to make theatre accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
Set in a timeless world, The Faerie Queen is a radical reworking of the third book of Sir Edmund Spencer’s epic poem, which shares the show’s title. Whilst the Faerie Queen sits in state, the players must perform to entertain her. They choose the story of brave Britomart, a female knight who, armed with only her goodness and a magic sword, sets out on an unenviable quest.
Cilgwyn Theatre uses circus techniques, physical theatre, puppetry and magic to create a modern fairytale. Katie Green, winner of the 2006 Pyramid Dance Award, provides movement direction for the cast, which includes Catherine Cusack, Becca Cox, Iestyn Evans, Katie Green, Ryan Kiggell and James Thorne.
The Faerie Queen opens at the Sadler’s Wells Lilian Baylis theatre on 13 December (previews from 11 December) and runs until 29 December.
MA