The Medieval Monk

Blogum scribo

Picture
  • Welcome
  • What I do
  • Blog
  • Projects & Publications
  • Buy me a coffee
  • Contact Me

22/5/2015

Bayeux Tapestry Pics from the Zoo

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
Harold skilfully masters his falcon ... and almost masters his moustache.

As promised: a few visual highlights from Kalamazoo's world premiere of 'The Bayeux Tapestry: The Stitches Speak'

Any monk, but especially an Anglo-Saxon one, must keep his word; so please enjoy the pictures below from the world premiere of Daisy Black's 'The Bayeux Tapestry: The Stitches Speak', which was performed as a rehearsed reading last Saturday at the 50th annual International Congress on Medieval Studies at Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. 

If you missed my review (may the Lord forgive you), you can catch up with it
here.

All images courtesy of William the Bastard, aka Patricia Bracewell.

Picture
Eminent scholars lie dead on the field of Hastings.
The play employed the dramatic device of two embroiderers interacting with the scenes of the Bayeux Tapestry as they finish embroidering its text.  Here, Master Embroiderer, Gale Owen-Crocker (left) and Apprentice Embroiderer, Daisy Black (the writer and director of the play, right) assess the final battle scene.  A bloody mess, by all accounts.    
Picture
Harold lost his eye, his leg, and eventually his crown, but somehow managed to keep hold of his delegate's badge throughout.
Picture
Harold is shot in the eye and his leg hacked off: Bayeux Tapestry. Image PUBLIC DOMAIN via Wikipedia Commons. Click image to go to source.
James Howard was a noble Harold Godwinson... and a crafty, cheese-stealing fox, and a megalomaniac Wolf King (both animals are from the Aesop's fables in the Tapestry's borders).  Was Daisy Black commissioned by the Normans, I wonder?
Picture
Bishop Odo, club in hand, encourages his lads: Bayeux Tapestry. Image licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons. Click image for source. "BayeuxTapestryScene54" by Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh.
Picture
Retractable umbrella in hand, Bishop Odo rallies the Norman soldiers, one of whom (left) seems unconvinced... but then 'he' has been given an invisible shield.
Jill Frederick played both Bishop Odo and a court buffoon.  With that brolly in hand, I can't quite work out which one she is here. 
Picture
That Bastard William urges his men on... well at least the chap in blue looks impressed... not sure about the others though.
Novelist Patricia Bracewell showed considerable acting aplomb in her confident portrayal of William.  Well, I had to say something nice about the Conqueror, grrrrr.  Oh, and those leggings aren't bad, I suppose.  Not as good as Guy's (see below)...but not bad.
Picture
Not so steady Eddy... King Edward struggles with his extra large footstool. He only has a diddy one in the Tapestry! At least the Master Embroiderer thinks it's funny.
Picture
Harold returns from William's court to speak with King Edward: Bayeux Tapestry. 'By Image on web site of Ulrich Harsh. Public domain via Wikimedia Commons'. Click image for source.
The Anglo-Saxon Monk was worked very hard, I can tell you.  Here, he played Edward at the moment the saintly king apparently promised the throne to Harold – or did he?!  In case you're wondering, I was told by the director (the footstool, appropriately) to look like I'm about to pop my clogs.  I'm nothing if not obedient. 
Picture
In for the kill. A well known journal editor is chased by Aesop's lion, ox, sheep and goat.
Sincerest apologies for the blurriness of this picture... but it is an action scene!   For me it was memorable for the way the poor deer held a perfect scream for 15 seconds without drawing breath... well done, Robin Netherton.  Impressive animal noises from the rest of the team, too! 

Picture
A very intelligent, megalomaniac lion... remembered his specs!
'The Stitches Speak' incorporated an experimental workshop two days before the performance to allow volunteers to join the cast.  Here, the marvellous Chris Petty took on the role of the megalomaniac lion from one of the borders' fables, and brought her own special style to the part.  My second favourite image...
Picture
No, I haven't been using a new shampoo... don't be silly. The Anglo-Saxon Monk played Count Guy of Ponthieu... and has not yet fully recovered from the ordeal.
Well of course this is my very favourite pic!  Every show needs a pair of leggings like those!  (Actually Caribbean rugby socks, so I've been told).  

Share

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

Details

    Author

    Welcome, blessed readers! This is the blog of the Medieval Monk, the alter ego of Dr Christopher Monk.

    Archives

    April 2025
    July 2024
    June 2024
    August 2023
    March 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

cookieassistant.com
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Welcome
  • What I do
  • Blog
  • Projects & Publications
  • Buy me a coffee
  • Contact Me