Making Medieval MODERN

n After 40 years of touring theatre across the East of England, this spring Eastern Angles is reigniting the region’s buzzing 15th century theatre scene with Medieval Miracles. This double bill of one-act plays promises to bring double the devils, double the tricks, and double the fun to venues across East Anglia this spring.

“East Anglia was the Broadway or West End of the 15th Century English theatre” once said a stage historian, and Eastern Angles have picked two of its biggest hits to stand centre stage in their 2023 spring tour.

Speaking about the show, co-writer and Director Ivan Cutting said, “This was popular theatre at its best when people watched and laughed at sometimes quite shocking tales of contemporary scandal and daring new versions of traditional biblical myths”.

First up, The Trails of Mary & Joseph, it’s the Nativity story but not as you know it. And then there’s Mankind, the country’s most popular comedy of the 1490’s, retold as a boisterous story of a climate conscious young man tempted by three mischievous devils to leave his allotment and behave very badly.

With live music, comic twists and a sense of ridiculous, Eastern Angles bring two very old plays right up to date. Plus, thanks to National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Eastern Angles are taking Medieval Miracles beyond the stage in a large-scale heritage project inviting people of all ages to become a local heritage ‘detective’ and discover the East Anglia of the 1400s in a range of exciting activities.

Medieval Miracles tours East Anglia 16th March until 20th May with performances in Ipswich, Hadleigh, Stowmarket, Woodbridge and more. To find out more and book tickets visit www.easternangles.co.uk or phone the Eastern Angles Box Office on 01473 211498.

Thomas Wolsey: The Rise and Fall

Black & White Productions present THOMAS WOLSEY – THE RISE & FALL written by Suzanne Hawkes.

To celebrate the 550th anniversary of Wolsey’s birth, Black & White Productions are reviving their play about the life and times of this great man.

Thomas Wolsey – born in Ipswich from humble beginnings - rose to become Henry VIII’s right hand man and as Chancellor, the most powerful force in England. But swept up in the storm of Reformation, and the jealousies of rich men and vengeful women, his career followed a dramatic course to a bitter end.

This play looks at his life through the eyes of George Cavendish of Glemsford, his servant and biographer during his glorious rise and his subsequent battle to survive the turbulence of King Henry’s determination to turn the world upside down in his pursuit of love and an heir.

It also features his relationships with Thomas Cromwell, The Boleyn women and his mistress Jane Larke.

Performed in the atmospheric surround of churches, some of which have connections to the Wolsey story, and featuring live music, this is an event not to be missed.

• Tickets available from the Box Office 01394 279613 or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/black-white-productions

Part of the Thomas Wolsey 550 Celebrations, Ipswich