This year’s Edith Festival is an immersive experience of our oldest English epic poem, Beowulf. The evening will consist of:
17.00: Performance seating space (rear of pub) will be open*
19.00-20-30: Reading of an abridged version of the poem in modern English, with accompanying images and a short video of its opening section in Old English with lyre accompaniment. The ‘performance’ will be ‘in the round’ amongst the audience (as if in an Anglo-Saxon meadhall) and will involve speeches by the protagonists being spoken by the characters themselves.
20.30-21.00: Short break will follow to allow comfort break and re-fuelling from the bar.
21.00-22.00: Presentation and discussion on the historical setting, meaning and possible interpretation of the poem and its importance, impact or potential influence on both Edith Swanneck and modern life today.
*The pub will be open from midday and themed food and drink, such as ‘Grendel Burger-in-a-basket’ (to catch the blood!) and mead-ale will be available to order at any time after 17.00.
