Sovereign
Written by C.J.Sansom
Adapted by Mike Kenny
Directed by Juliet Forster, Mingyu Lin and John R. Wilkinson
King’s Manor, Exhibition Square, 15 – 30 July
A majestic new production! The world premiere of C.J.Sansom’s well-loved York-based Tudor thriller Sovereign is planned for next summer – with applications now open for local people to get involved in the cast and choir. York Theatre Royal are looking for around 100 adults and young people aged 9+ years to join the community cast.
Performed outdoor in the grounds of the historic King’s Manor, the production is set to bring community theatre, on a grand scale to the city, in 2023.
Set in Tudor York in 1541, the play follows lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his assistant Jack Barak who await the arrival of Henry VIII on his Northern progress. Tasked with a secret mission, Shardlake is protecting a dangerous prisoner who is to be returned to London for interrogation. When the murder of a York glazier plunges Shardlake into a deep mystery which threatens the Tudor dynasty itself, he must work against time to avert a terrifying chain of events.
Told through the voices of the people of York, the production will bring all the intrigue, conspiracy and thrills of C.J.Sansom’s best-selling novel. Alongside the community ensemble cast of around 100, two professional actors will also star in the production.
Co-Director Juliet Forster said: “We are so excited to stage Mike Kenny’s brilliant adaptation of C.J.Sansom’s Sovereign next summer. To do so against the spectacular backdrop of the grounds of King’s Manor where Henry VIII actually visited makes it even more special. This is a York story and we are thrilled to invite the people of York to be a part of this community production and help us to bring it to life on the stage.”
Co-Director John R. Wilkinson said: “York has a wonderful history of epic, large-scale community productions and we are thrilled that Sovereign will be the focus for next summer. There are lots of opportunities to get involved. We would like to see even more people, who haven’t taken part in a community show before, join us for this special production.”
Co-Director Mingyu Lin said: “This is a fantastic and rewarding opportunity to be involved in such a large-scale community production and we are really keen to hear from people from all backgrounds and experience levels who are interested in taking part. Even if you’ve never acted before but have a passion for the stage we’d love to hear from you! York has such a wonderful tradition of community theatre and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Cast are invited to express their interest via email to community@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk before Mon 19 Dec. Auditions are set to take place in January 2023.
Choir members are invited to express their interest via this link before Mon 19 Dec.
Choir: https://form.jotform.com/223254058788364. Choral Workshops begin in early 2023.
Mingyu Lin, Mark Gowland as Henry VIII, John R. Wilkinson, Juliet Forster, Mike Kenny. Credit Ant Robling
Rehearsals for the production start from 15 April 2023 – including two weekday evenings and Saturday daytimes (times to be confirmed.)
Dates for the production and tech rehearsals are below and all cast and choir members must be available for these:
Tech weeks: w/c 3 July 2023 and w/c 10 July 2023
Opening Night: 15 July 2023
Show schedule:
Saturday 15 July 7pm
Tuesday 18 July 7pm
Wednesday 19 July 7pm
Thursday 20 July 7pm
Friday 21 July 7pm
Saturday 22 July 2pm & 7pm
Sunday 23 July 2pm
Tuesday 25 July 7pm
Wednesday 26 July 7pm
Thursday 27 July 7pm
Friday 28 July 7pm
Saturday 29 July 2pm & 7pm
Sunday 30 July 2pm
Opportunities for further volunteers to help out backstage in areas such as stage management, wardrobe, lighting, props, marketing, photography, fundraising and front-of-house will be announced in 2023.
Sovereign was the Big City Read in 2009 – find out more about C.J.Sansom’s Shardlake series here.
The show is supported by the University of York and sponsored by Inglis Chartered Accountants.
Tickets for Sovereign are on sale now – with performances selling fast. Book online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
