THEATRE BY THE LAKE WELCOMES VIKING INVASION
Monday 19th Jul 2010 09:24:07
A bunch of hairy and battle-hardened Cumbrian Vikings have lent their support to a production of a funny and challenging play produced at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake as part of its Summer Season. Silence by Moira Buffini, now playing in the Studio, is set, in part, in tenth century Cumbria when the region was still ruled by the Vikings.
Modern Cumbria has Herliδ (“War Force”), its own horde of modern-day Norse invaders who specialise in re-enacting battles from precisely the period in which the action of the play happens. They were the obvious people to contact when the Theatre by the Lake team wanted some advice to make the production as authentic as possible.
The Herliδ men have a fearsome reputation for their battle skills but readily agreed to pose for a publicity shot with actor Vanessa Johnson, who plays a Viking lord of Cumbria, in Silence. Four of them stood, in authentic helmets and chainmail and carrying fearsome weapons, howling at the photographer.
In a quieter moment, they gave crucial advice to Elizabeth Wright, who designed the sets and costumes for the production. “When the group changed into their Viking clothes for the photoshoot, I watched them put on their different layers, which was very useful because so much dressing and undressing goes on in the play,’’ she said.
“I asked their authenticity officer about fabrics and in particular the braid that trims the edges of their over-tunics. It turns out that they weave the braid themselves on inkle looms, which was the traditional way to make them. We didn’t go so far as to weave all our own braids for the production but we made sure we found braids that looked as if they could have been woven.’’
Elizabeth used woven silks for some costumes. “The Herliδ Vikings influenced our choice of colours. In the picture used for publicity, one is wearing a shade of yellow that I borrowed for Silence’s costume. It was a great help to be able to see textures close up, something you cannot do with a picture in a book.”
“We use the same fabrics and colours used by our ancestors,’’ said Halfedan “The Liar” Thorson, Herliδ’s authenticity officer, in a note in the Studio programme. “Linen and wool were used in the main, with silk for those who could afford it.
“Everyday apparel would consist of a linen under-tunic, a knee-length woollen over-tunic (known as a kyrtle), a pair of long trousers made from either material, leather shoes, a leather belt with a pouch and knife attached and perhaps a woollen cloak and a fur hat or hood.”
Shields are round with decorated bosses and helmets have nose protectors (but, despite the popular misconception, no horns). “We aim to bring to life an exciting and important part of British history,’’ said Sean Robinson, Herliδ’s leader. “When Theatre by the Lake asked for help, we were more than pleased to help to ensure the public would be given an authentic taste of this exciting period.”
Sean set up Herliδ in West Cumbria after being a member of the National Vikings Group. Warriors soon queued to join and now take part in fortnightly training sessions at the Jubilee Hall in Cleator. New members borrow outfits and weapons before acquiring their own.
“As people progress through the ranks of the society, their skills, armour and weapons develop,” said Herliδ member Terry Harvey-Chadwick, a science teacher at West Lakes Academy in Egremont, in a recent interview “they might start with a hand axe, then a langsax (one-edged longsword) and eventually progress to a sword and some chainmail.
“Not everyone went into battle with swords as only the richest warriors could afford them. A sword would cost the equivalent of a people-carrier now and chainmail would cost as much as say a three-bedroom house. In that sense, we portray quite a rich group of mercenaries. But you can’t beat hearing that clang of sword on shield!”
Silence is showing in Theatre by the Lake’s Studio until Saturday 6 November and tickets cost £16 and £10 with discounts available. Don’t forget there are six plays to choose from in Theatre by the Lake’s Summer Season and you can see all six plays for just £70. Terms and conditions apply. Call our Box Office for details or to book on 017687 74411.
With backstage tours and turnarounds, the theatre’s café and two exhibition spaces, Theatre by the Lake can offer much more than just an evening’s entertainment. Visit www.theatrebythelake.com for more information.
