Written by Donna Taylor, photo by Natasha Sinton.
As York Theatre Royal eagerly anticipates C.J. Sansom’s Sovereign coming to the stage, we sat down with two volunteers treading the boards in this epic Tudor murder mystery.
The year is 1541 and Henry VIII is on progress, arriving in the City of York, with a great retinue of lords and ladies. Amongst the pomp and pageantry – the atmosphere is tense, especially when a body is found in mysterious circumstances.
The investigation into the death of a local glazier engulfs lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his trusted servant, Jack Barak, into a dangerous world of intrigue and conspiracy – where the wrong words or actions can lead to dire consequences. With the Tudor throne itself under threat and the shadow of treason looming large, can Shardlake and Barak uncover the truth and emerge from the line of fire unscathed?
Playing the characters of Lady Rochford and Simon Craike respectively, Emma Blackstone and Liam Godfrey reveal what inspired them to get involved in this community production set in the heart of York and what makes Sovereign so exciting for everyone taking part.
What made you want to get involved in Sovereign?
Emma: “For me, it’s about meeting people from all walks of life and stepping outside your day job to be part of something exciting. There is so much talent involved in these productions and with the costumes and props, you can immerse yourself in a different world.”
Liam: “This is a play set in York against the backdrop of real-life events, so it’s wonderful to not only tell the story but also help add to that legacy too. The fact it’s being staged at King’s Manor, a place so integral to the history of York, makes it even more special.”
Have you been part of previous YTR productions before?
Emma: “Yes, I have although, more recently I was part of the choir but I missed acting and began to crave being back on stage again!”
Liam: “This is my sixth production but previously had no more than a few lines to learn so this is the biggest play I’ve been a part of. It’s something of a challenge but I am thoroughly enjoying it so far.”
What are you most looking forward to?
Emma: “I think I’m just excited to see how everything comes together, you invest a lot of time working on these productions and there is so much work involved, so it will be really interesting to see how everything meshes into the final production.”
Liam: “Opening night is only around the corner, so there is a lot of build-up and we have a full-on week with technical rehearsals, so I’m eager to get out there and just put on that first performance!”
(Question for Emma) You play Lady Rochford, a rather controversial figure in the period. Were you very familiar with her before you took the part?
Emma: “Tudor history was not an area I was overly knowledgeable about but I was very drawn to her character and she is incredibly fun to play. She is a woman very preoccupied with her status as Lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine and determined to maintain her influence and power at court.”
(Question for Liam) Craike is not a historical figure, so did this make it harder to play not having other references aside from the novel?
Liam: “I think it benefited me that I had previously read the book so understood his place as a ‘grey man’. He is very ambiguous, you get the sense he is a great planner of events, hardworking and efficient but it remains to be seen if he is one of life’s heroes or villains!”
Would you have liked to have lived in York during Tudor times?
Liam: “I don’t think I’d have liked to have lived anywhere during Tudor times! It was a harsh world, particularly if you lived in the North. At the time this play is set, the area is very much reeling from the aftermath of The Pilgrimage of Grace, a rebellion that saw savage reprisals from the crown. Henry VIII was not popular in the North; the area having suffered both economically and emotionally from the dissolution of the monasteries.”
Emma: “The novel is so descriptive of the period, you get a sense of the sights and smells in the city. It was hostile to outsiders, so probably a dangerous place to walk around, especially if you were from the South.”
What advice would you give to someone thinking of volunteering for a community production like Sovereign?
Liam: “Go for it! It’s a brilliant experience and a great opportunity to meet new people and really connect with the community. I would say too that it’s important to know if you have the time to invest in the production as it is a commitment with rehearsal times/learning lines etc.”
Emma: “If you have a skill or talent, be it acting, singing, costume design – you can get involved. I’ve made lots of friends and made life-long memories that I will treasure, so it is really worth it.”
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