Gawain and the Green Knight, Exeter Phoenix, runs until Saturday 21 December, 7pm and 8.45pm
I didn’t walk in to the theatre I walked into the play.
Like a child in a fantasy where they are transported into the TV suddenly there I was with a seat at King Arthur’s round table surrounded by Knights full festive cheer.
As the Knights sang and chatted and pulled Christmas crackers I was amongst them, not removed from the action safely ensured in tiered seating where I could watch at a safe distance, but perched right in the middle of the action.
The play, Gawain and the Green Knight from Four of Swords theatre, is an adaptation of a classic Arthurian legend. But this traditional fable was retold in a unique style using theatre, film, live music and one awesome puppet.
Every audience member had a front row ‘seat’, a unique viewpoint of the brilliant performance. The no boundaries approach meant the play happened around, not in front of, the audience.
This promenade style of theatre brings the audience so close to the actors there is no room for error. But that wasn’t a problem for the Four of Sword cast who performed eloquently and perfectly.
Each scene change involved moving to a different part of the Exeter Phoenix building. These changes were seamless; the cast invited the audience into their domain and gave them a guided tour of their world.
The tale followed Sir Gawain, the youngest and most untested of Arthur’s warriors, who after a challenge from a gargantuan Green Knight swallowed his fear, stepped forward, and accepted an invitation to partake in a fearsome game of heads.
This play is showing at Exeter Phoenix, and whilst it is not your traditional Christmas fare is well worth the trip into town. I had a fantastic experience and will find it difficult the next time I am expected to sit in a seat removed from the action – being part of it is definitely much better…