This October, All Saints North Street is opening its doors to the public for a York-made original production, ‘Punch Porteous – Lost in Time’, with tickets now on sale.
Through spoken word, film, sound, and performance, the ‘multi-media drama experience’ draws imaginatively on York’s history to tell the tale of a sometimes comic, sometimes soulful, rogue – York’s very own legendary Punch Porteous.
Punch finds himself waking up in different periods in York’s past, dazed and confused, homeless and yet oddly at home, while the city unpredictably shape-shifts around him through Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, Georgian, Victorian, and our own times – and back again!
Now Punch, packed with sights and sounds from the past, is about to make an appearance in one of the city’s most unique ancient churches!
Written by York-based poet Robert Powell, working alongside creative practitioner Ben Pugh, and produced by John Beecroft, the story is inspired by York’s past and the unique setting of All Saints North Street. Juliet Forster, Creative Director at the Theatre Royal, has also stepped in to support the production.
The project is the first of its kind at the church and aims to attract new audiences to appreciate this historic place of worship. The performance comes at the end of a three-year restoration of All Saints North Street’s spectacular medieval painted and stained glass funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which attendees will have the opportunity to view during the interval.
Commenting on the production, Robert Powell said: “It’s very exciting to now be in the final run up to the production, and to be working with All Saints and such a dynamic team of artists! The church has been a real inspiration to us, as I’m sure it will be to audiences.”
Robert, currently York Civic Trust Writer in Residence, added: “Audiences will be able to hear about Punch’s eccentric adventures and the rich history of York – its rivers, streets, strays, and stories – in one of its most extraordinary sites. And of course we’re expecting the evasive Punch to turn upduring the performance!”
Bishop Glyn Webster, Priest-in-Charge at All Saints North Street, added, “The Church has a long history of commissioning works of art and – thanks to money raised by National Lottery players – we are delighted to be able to continue this tradition by commissioning a performance that celebrates our wonderful church, the City of York, and the people who have lived and worshipped here through the centuries.”
‘Punch Porteous – Lost In Time’ will be performed at All Saints North Street from 26th – 28thOctober. Tickets can be purchased via York Theatre Royal website.