Discovered in a shallow pit by the river Foss, the remains of an unknown woman are displayed in a glass case in JORVIK Viking Centre in York. She is The Coppergate Woman – and she will be brought back to life in York Theatre Royal’s latest stunning community production.
Weaving Viking legends with the stories of modern-day York people, this epic new play draws on Norse myths and legends and focuses on the central figure of ‘The Coppergate Woman’ which will be played by local actress Kate Hampson. Kate was born, brought up and still lives in Yorkshire and trained at York St John University and The Utrecht School of Arts.
Kate will join an ensemble cast of over 90 local people for this production which will takes place on the Main House stage from 30 July to 7 August. Kate’s theatre experiences include Tapestry (Northern Broadsides), Mary Barton (Alnwick Playhouse & tour), Trouble (West Yorkshire Playhouse), New Playwrights (York Theatre Royal), Gaudette (Obra Theatre Company), Mumsy (Hull Truck), Not Yours Mine (Oldham Coliseum) and Vignettes (Hope Mill Theatre).
Her television credits include Happy Valley (BBC), Doctors (BBC), I’m With Stupid (BBC), Emmerdale (ITV), Eternal Law (Kudos/ITV), Hollyoaks (Channel 4), Where The Heart Is (ITV) and Coronation Street (ITV). Most recently Kate played the roles of Mother and Mrs.Perks in Hull Truck Theatre’s production of The Railway Children.
Co-director Juliet Forster said: ““I am very excited to be working with Kate Hampson – she has come on to my radar only relatively recently, and I have been looking for the right project to work with her on ever since. I know she is going to make a brilliant Coppergate Woman. It is wonderful to have discovered such a phenomenal acting talent right on our doorstep, and with Nordic ancestry to boot!”
Kate Hampson said “Having lived in York for more than half my life, I have enjoyed many a trip to learn about the Vikings in Coppergate. I am therefore absolutely thrilled to be playing the part of the Coppergate Woman at the brilliant YTR, only a short stroll across town! It’s an epic tale written by the multi-talented Maureen Lennon. I’m so excited to work with the wonderful community cast and can’t wait to get started!”
The Coppergate Woman production has been generously supported by sponsors City Cruises, Black Sheep Brewery and Asgard and in partnership with JORVIK Viking Centre.
Tickets are now on sale via the York Theatre Royal website www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk and Box Office.
