Details

Canterbury Tales is a bawdy classic written 700 years ago, it centres on a group of pilgrims who entertain one another with stories as they ride to Canterbury Cathedral. But despite the apparently holy purpose of their journey these travellers reveal themselves as sinners rather than saints. The pilgrims contrasting and colourful backgrounds offer many different stories, from the serious and moral to the farcical and bawdy, proving that like Shakespeare after him, Chaucer was 'not for an age but for all time' . Join local legend Harry Bailey, landlord of the Tabard Inn Southwark, and a motley collection of pilgrims as they wend their way through Kent en-route to Canterbury Cathedral. Along the way, each pilgrim is invited to compete in a story telling competition. The pilgrim with the best tale will win a slap up meal at the Tabard when the pilgrimage returns to Southwark. Join, amongst others, the lusty Wife of Bath, the prim Prioress, the flatulent Cook and the heroic Knight, as they tell their famous, irreverent, magical, bawdy tales along the route. Chaucer’s epic poem is brought to life in a vibrant modern adaptation that places the tales on the streets the pilgrims trod. Starting outside the George Inn on Borough High Street, Southwark Playhouse will take you along the actual Pilgrims Way, via the back streets, parks and famous sites of Borough, culminating outside Southwark Cathedral..

Cast/Performers

Daniel Crowder, Shaun Hennessy, Dodger Phillips, Joanne Redman, MIchael Roberts, Paul Rumbelow, Heather Williams

Creatives/Company

Author: Chaucer
Producer: Southwark Playhouse
Director: Gareth Machin
Design: Laura McEwen
Music: Russell Hepplewhite
Lighting: Gwendole Scolding
Sound: Jason Barnes