When Katherine Brewed, a Play: Telling the Story of the Peasants' Revolt and Today's New Radical Theatre
In the sweltering heat of 1381, England's feudal foundations trembled as the Peasants' Revolt erupted-a rebellion that would forever echo through history. Triggered by an oppressive poll tax but fuelled by deeper injustices, this uprising saw land workers, artisans, and commoners rise to challenge the authority of landowners, church, and crown. 'When Katherine Brewed' brings this momentous event to life on stage, blending historical fidelity with a bold, radical perspective.

Drawing from chronicles and centuries of literary reinterpretation, this devised play reveals the struggles of the forgotten: those who dared to dream of a world free from exploitation and tyranny. Through the lens of class struggle and solidarity, the story of Wat Tyler, John Ball, and their fellow rebels unfolds, exposing the duplicity of rulers and the undying hope of those who resist.

Echoing the spirit of radical theatre traditions, this play reimagines this medieval rebellion with contemporary relevance, urging audiences to reflect on enduring issues of inequality and power. Both an homage to the past and a rallying cry for the future, this production is as much a tribute to those who fought as it is an invitation to envision a world transformed. Witness history, and the lessons it still holds.

1147720643
When Katherine Brewed, a Play: Telling the Story of the Peasants' Revolt and Today's New Radical Theatre
In the sweltering heat of 1381, England's feudal foundations trembled as the Peasants' Revolt erupted-a rebellion that would forever echo through history. Triggered by an oppressive poll tax but fuelled by deeper injustices, this uprising saw land workers, artisans, and commoners rise to challenge the authority of landowners, church, and crown. 'When Katherine Brewed' brings this momentous event to life on stage, blending historical fidelity with a bold, radical perspective.

Drawing from chronicles and centuries of literary reinterpretation, this devised play reveals the struggles of the forgotten: those who dared to dream of a world free from exploitation and tyranny. Through the lens of class struggle and solidarity, the story of Wat Tyler, John Ball, and their fellow rebels unfolds, exposing the duplicity of rulers and the undying hope of those who resist.

Echoing the spirit of radical theatre traditions, this play reimagines this medieval rebellion with contemporary relevance, urging audiences to reflect on enduring issues of inequality and power. Both an homage to the past and a rallying cry for the future, this production is as much a tribute to those who fought as it is an invitation to envision a world transformed. Witness history, and the lessons it still holds.

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When Katherine Brewed, a Play: Telling the Story of the Peasants' Revolt and Today's New Radical Theatre

When Katherine Brewed, a Play: Telling the Story of the Peasants' Revolt and Today's New Radical Theatre

When Katherine Brewed, a Play: Telling the Story of the Peasants' Revolt and Today's New Radical Theatre

When Katherine Brewed, a Play: Telling the Story of the Peasants' Revolt and Today's New Radical Theatre

Overview

In the sweltering heat of 1381, England's feudal foundations trembled as the Peasants' Revolt erupted-a rebellion that would forever echo through history. Triggered by an oppressive poll tax but fuelled by deeper injustices, this uprising saw land workers, artisans, and commoners rise to challenge the authority of landowners, church, and crown. 'When Katherine Brewed' brings this momentous event to life on stage, blending historical fidelity with a bold, radical perspective.

Drawing from chronicles and centuries of literary reinterpretation, this devised play reveals the struggles of the forgotten: those who dared to dream of a world free from exploitation and tyranny. Through the lens of class struggle and solidarity, the story of Wat Tyler, John Ball, and their fellow rebels unfolds, exposing the duplicity of rulers and the undying hope of those who resist.

Echoing the spirit of radical theatre traditions, this play reimagines this medieval rebellion with contemporary relevance, urging audiences to reflect on enduring issues of inequality and power. Both an homage to the past and a rallying cry for the future, this production is as much a tribute to those who fought as it is an invitation to envision a world transformed. Witness history, and the lessons it still holds.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781805115434
Publisher: Open Book Publishers
Publication date: 06/27/2025
Pages: 110
Product dimensions: 6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.23(d)

About the Author

Mark is a social researcher and socialist trade union activist based in Liverpool UK. He has authored historical publications covering labour and social movements. His books include Perish the Privileged Orders, a Socialist History of the Chartist Movement, When Adam Delved and Eve Span: A History of the Peasants' Revolt, and Just Managing? What it Means for the Families of Austerity Britain. With John Cresswell he was the recipient of an award from the US based International Herbert Marcuse Society in 2023 for his work in political theatre ... "... at the intersection of the arts and Marcuse's Great Refusal, as a consciousness-raising and labor education theater project in support of labor/community solidarity amidst the current wave of nationwide strikes by students and professors at universities and by workers in other industries across Britain." Presently Mark is working on a book about Marxism and the mind, called The Historical Mind (working title).

BA Drama and Theatre Studies (Kent University), Post Graduate Certificate of Education (Jordanhill College, Glasgow) and Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Theatre (Central School of Speech and Drama, London). Devisor, performer and writer for Out of Order theatre company touring English Language theatre in East Germany. Actor/teacher with theatreactive educational theatre company - devising, performing and facilitating interactive programmes also devisor/writer/director of touring primary school educational plays. In collaboration with Burnt Mill Arts Academy, its feeder primaries and other community arts groups - devisor, writer and director of several large-scale community plays. He has written four young adult novels and in collaboration with Mark O'Brien, devised, scripted and directed When Katherine Brewed.
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