Historic house to stage play
The story of an English country house will be told during two specially commissioned live productions in the grand surroundings of historic property in south Shropshire.
‘Running the Gauntlet – A Dramatic History of a Victorian Country House’ will be performed at Stokesay Court near Ludlow over two nights at the beginning of October.
Written and presented by the Shropshire-based Time Flies Theatre Company, the productions will lead the audience through a timeline broadly based on Stokesay’s 125-year history; from the industrial glove fortune that enabled its construction, through its brief heyday as a family home brought to an abrupt and premature end by the outbreak of war in 1914.
After a brief resumption of use as a family home between the wars, the house gradually fell into decline and near-dereliction following World War 2.
The succeeding generation worked hard to restore it in the 1990s and early 2000s but it was in 2007 that its fortune changed dramatically for the better. Stokesay was suddenly catapulted to fame with its own starring role as the Tallis House in Joe Wright’s acclaimed film ‘Atonement’ with Keira Knightly, James McAvoy and Benedict Cumberbatch playing the leading roles.
‘Running the Gauntlet’ will draw on Stokesay’s own past to illustrate the changing fortunes of a Victorian country house during the 20th and 21st centuries, tracing its use as a family home, a First World War hospital, educational college, and finally a film set, using real and made-up characters from the past.
The production will feature a mix of song, music and short set-pieces.
‘Running the Gauntlet’ will be raising money both for the house and St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford.
"Stokesay Court has taken on so many different roles over the ages. It’s going to be exciting to witness this creative interpretation.
"Commissioning ‘Running the Gauntlet’ is really going to bring it all to life in an entertaining way," said Stokesay owner, Caroline Magnus.
It takes place on October 6 and7.
There are premium tickets available for both nights, including a pre-show welcome drink, archive footage of the house, and personal glimpses into the filming of Atonement.
For more details, including ticket prices and how to book, visit st-michaels-hospice.org.uk or call 01432 851000.
