There is no denying that royal celebrations have been a prominent part of the year so far, so what better production for York Theatre Royal to premiere this summer than CJ Sansom’s Sovereign.
This Tudor-thriller has been adapted by York Playwright Mike Kenny – and with a 100-strong community cast and the beautiful outdoor setting of Kings Manor, you know prior to attending that you are in for a spectacular treat; which explains the sold-out performance I was lucky enough to attend.
Leading the company are two professional actors, Fergus Rattigan (Mathew Shardlake) and Sam Thorpe-Spinks (Jack Barak), although I would argue the surrounding cast were of the same professional standard.
They lead the performance which follows the anticipation of the arrival of Henry VIII, but along the way they find themselves plunged into a mystery, one which could threaten the future of the crown.
The show and the characters alike were unpredictable and at times it felt as though we as an audience were immersed in a game of Cluedo, never knowing who to trust and constantly retracing steps taken along the way.
Juliet Forster, Mingyu Lin and John R. Wilkinson are responsible for the fantastic direction of this production which is no easy feat when collaborating with such a large pool of cast and creatives.
Every performer knew the exact steps they needed to take, each reaction was perfectly choreographed and not once did any of the ensemble look unsure of their next move.
Along with their creativity, it was extremely fitting to have this production take place in such a historic setting, one which is a key location in Sansom’s original novel.
It was wonderful as a fellow ‘Yorkie’ to hear the familiar streets and dialect being used throughout, often as a source of comedy, making the show feel truly at home here in the heart of the city.
Rattigan portrays disabled Lawyer Shardlake, representation that is desperately needed in theatre both within York and across the entire industry.
Rattigan and Thorpe-Spinks were the perfect duo to carry the narrative, like chalk and cheese. With Shardlake’s stern nature compared to Barak’s cheekiness, you couldn’t help finding the relationship between the pair endearing.
And whilst it seems unfair to spotlight on specific actors when the company were so united in their portrayal, Nick Naidu-Bock was a standout as he played the conspiracist Edward Broderick. He didn’t just understand the character, he embodied him and this was obvious when we saw his decline throughout the show.
I feel the scenes between himself, Shardlarke and the jailer Fulke Raswinter (Joe Hopper) were some of the best in the entire play, with the intensity only increasing during the second act.
Alongside these leading men were a series of seriously strong-minded and courageous women, who during this period would have been expected to remain silent.
Scarlett Rowley was especially regal in her brilliant portrayal of the renowned Queen Catherine, holding herself to high esteem, whilst she believed she held her morals even higher.
Livy Potter was the perfect casting for the role of Tamasin Reedbourne, not only was her performance excellent but it was her continued acting and background reactions that often had me laughing, full of character from the moment she entered the performance space to the moment she exited.
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And these fabulous actors were accompanied by a Choir which must be praised, with composition by Dominic Sales, under the musical direction of Madeleine Hudson, they filled the Manor with angelic sounds.
Being tucked away throughout the performance, you would sometimes forget that these were not recordings of a professional nature being played, but this music was live and of the highest quality.
Whether creating an opportunity for celebration with dance sequences to match their merry tunes, to their assistance in building dramatic tension at the climax of the play, they were truly outstanding.
It’s not just the cast and choir who have come together as a community to bring this spectacle to the stage (or concrete), the behind the scenes team including a large number of volunteers are a huge testament to its success, the show would simply not go on without them.
The costume department led by designer Hazel Fall and their many volunteers have produced high-quality pieces, that are true to the period; with beautiful corsets, doublets, skirts and ‘bum rolls’ everywhere you look.
I truly wish I could highlight each and every individual who gave their time, hardwork and dedication to making this production possible; there is a sense of pride not only from those partaking in this masterpiece, but as an audience too.
No matter the weather, the cast of Sovereign are ready to give you a night to remember, don’t miss out on a royal good time!
Sovereign is being staged from 15-30 July outdoors at King’s Manor in Exhibition Square in York. Box office 01904 623568 | yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
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