Boudicca Rebel Queen

Boudicca Rebel Queen of the Iceni:

‘Peace Shall Not be Granted to Those That Come to Steal’

When a farmer near Snettisham cast aside what he thought was an old brass bedstead, little did he know it was the beginning of one of the greatest iron-age treasure discoveries in Europe. Over the next 40 odd years 200 ancient torcs, elaborate neck ornaments, many made of gold, would be found.

Taken with the story of Queen Boudicca, as written by the Roman Cassius Dio, who described the rebellious Queen as wearing a golden torc around her neck and you have the foundation for one of the great events in British history.

Storyteller Liam Carroll by photo S J Alexander

This is the story that several storytellers have woven together to create a dramatic re-imagining of how the legendary Queen summoned the might of many divided clans in 61AD to challenge the power of Imperial Rome.

Dave-Tong
Storyteller Dave Tong by photo J S Watts

This is not a dry re-telling of events, it is a bold attempt to enter the minds of the main protagonists and explore the passions behind the determination of the Romans to oppress the Norfolk clans, collectively known as the Iceni, and to destroy Druidism, the ancient religion of the Britons.

The Romans went to extraordinary lengths to travel to Anglesey, the centre of druidic practice and ritual, and to burn the sacred groves whilst simultaneously provoking outrage through a violent assault on the Britons in Norfolk.

Storyteller Su Squire by photo Dais Arnold

Much to their surprise however, far from delivering a decisive blow to the native spirit, the Imperial power discovered that one of their targets wasn’t going to be rolled over so easily.

Is it true that Governor Paulinus fell off his horse as he came over the brow of a hill to discover a vast army of native Britons bearing down on Londinium with burning torches?

What sorcery did the druids conjure when they saw the brutal blade-bearing Legions crossing the sea to the Sacred Isle?

What was it like to be stuck in in Colchester as a 100,000 angry Britons came pouring across the plains with their lime washed spiked hair, in their wheel-screaming chariots, half-naked and covered in strange woad coloured tattoos?

All these questions and more are brought to life and answered in vivid detail.

Storyteller Jim Kavanagh photo by S J Alexander

This is a story about the passing of one age and the emergence of a new order: according to the Roman plan the groves would have to go and religion brought indoors. As far as they were concerned who would want standing stones to chart the seasons when you could have a neat sun dial in the courtyard?

Why would anyone want to slaughter and roast whole pigs outdoors on an open fire, when you could have the cooks prepare dinner in a separate room while one lingered in the bath?

Who needed to go to the woods to dance and pray, when one could stand in awe of a ceramic bust?

Did the Romans get their way?

Come see Rebel Queen & discover the surprising truth. A tragic story, laced with moments of light relief.

Boudicca

Boudicca

Rebel Queen Storytelling Tour of Norfolk

April:

18th Hunstanton Library 7.30 pm.  Tel 01485 532280;

19th North Walsham Library Tel 01692 402482;

20th Fakenham Library 7.30 pm. Tel 01328 862715;

26th Dersingham Library 7.30 pm Tel 01485 540181.

May:

4th Gaywood Library 7.30 pm Tel 01553 768498;

5th Westacre Theatre 7.00pm Tel 01760 755800;

11th Wells Library 7.30 pm 01328 710467;

18th Cromer Library 7.30 pm Tel 01263 512850;

19th Thetford Ancient House Museum 7.30 pm Tel 01842 752599;

28th Downham Market Town Hall 7.00 pm Tel 01366 381073.

Ticket prices:

£5 For the libraries & Downham Market TH,

£6 Ancient House,

£8 & £10 For Westacre Theatre.

A show for adults and older teenagers, 14+.

Contact: Liam Carroll, [email protected]

www.fairyfolkandfable.co.uk

Tel 07960696625

Twitter: @rebelqueenstory

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