Details

Augustine's Oak, based on Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, tells the story of St Augustine's mission from Rome in 597AD to convert the pagan English. Sent by Pope Gregory the Great, Augustine and his monks land in Kent. Having struggled there to unite the pagan King Ethelbert with his Christian wife Bertha, Augustine finds his greatest challenge is to reconcile the breakaway Christians of the Celtic Church to the authority of Rome. Under an oak tree, the two traditions collide and the meeting changes the whole history of Britain. The first play written specifically for the new Shakespeare's Globe theatre (first performed 1999).

Cast/Performers

Avril Clark (Angel / Priestess / Wessex Woman / Second Northumbrian), Paul Chahidi (Lawrence / Pagan Priest), Leader Hawkins (Aneirin), Jan Knightley (Severus / Loki / Eumer), Marcello Magni (Lilla), Terry McGinity (Augustine), Jules Melvin (Olwen), Vincenzo Nicoli (Athelstan), Sean O'Callaghan (Edwin), Robert Pickavance (Paulinus / Woden / Colman / Priest), Philippa Stanton (Tata), Richard Trahair (Bishop of St David's / Osbert), Martin Turner (Ethelbert / Bishop of Llandaff), Yolanda Vazquez (Bertha)

Creatives/Company

Author: Peter Oswald
Director: Tim Carroll (Master of Play and Verse)
Design: Roger Butlin (Master of Design)
Music: Tim Arnold (Master of Music)