Four of Swords presents Gawain and the Green Knight

Camelot is coming to the Exeter Phoenix in December and you are invited to attend an extravagant Christmas party hosted by King Arthur himself.
Four of Swords Theatre, fresh from the sell-out success of Jekyll and Hyde at Poltimore House, is presenting a new adaptation of the classic Arthurian legend, Gawain and the Green Knight.

The story starts in Camelot at Christmas time and spins into a sweeping tale of chivalry, romance, truth and temptation, featuring a gruesome game of heads.

The show runs for 10 performances 17th to the 21st December. For tickets call 01392 667080 or visit www.exeterphoenix.org.uk.

The Exeter based company has developed a style of immersive and experiential drama and the company's new show has been designed to take advantage of different locations within the Exeter Phoenix building and grounds. The audience will be led between the various locations by the performers.

Sarah White, co-creative director of Four of Swords, says: “We are particularly excited about using the Secret Garden at the Phoenix, which is an interesting space with lots of exciting graffiti. It works really well for us because the whole play is about the collision between the urban and the natural.”

Fran McElhone, reviewing Jekyll and Hyde in the Express & Echo, said of this style of theatre: "There's only one problem with intimate and almost tangible theatre like this, the kind that surrounds you, whisks you up and takes you with it – you won't want to go back to sitting in an auditorium again.”

The story of Gawain and the Green Knight was first written down, in Middle English, by a nameless Medieval author. It is a visceral work which pits Gawain, a member of the enlightened Christian world, against the Green Knight who is a symbol of an earlier, pagan time with a more intimate connection with nature.

This Green Knight is similar to the Green Man, a popular motif in the Middle Ages and widespread in the art and architecture of the time, including the roof bosses of Exeter Cathedral.

Philip Kingslan John, Sarah's colleague, explains: “In these times of climate change, energy efficiency and power crisis, this story has a lot to say about humanity's relationship with the planet. In our version, Arthur and his knights are pitched as post-apocalyptic bikers like something out of Mad Max... members of a dystopian society which has over-exploited its natural resources”

Four of Swords has designed a show which is inventive and eclectic yet remains faithful to the source material. As well as striking make-up and costume designs, it will feature spectacular puppets, film and live musical accompaniment.

The intimate nature of each performance is crucial to its success. For this reason, audience numbers are deliberately kept small.

Tickets are on sale now and advance booking is recommended due to the limited number of each audience. This is a promenade piece of theatre therefore audiences will be standing throughout the majority of the show. Some action takes place outside so please wrap up and if you’re lucky you may be treated to a cup of tea and a warm mince pie!

2 December 2013

Notes for Editors

For interviews, review tickets or further information contact Sarah White 07739 139440 or sarah@four-of-swords.com