CADFAEL - THE VIRGIN IN THE ICE (UK Tour) Review March 2013

Middle Ground Theatre Company celebrate their 25th birthday this year and in celebration offer a brand new work - a stage adaptation of Ellis Peters' popular Medieval murder mystery novels Cadfael.

(Gareth Thomas)

BAFTA nominated Gareth Thomas (Blake's 7) takes on the iconic role of the Welsh Benedictine Monk - Brother Cadfael and presents us with a believable hero as he battles through harsh blizzards to uncover the mystery behind the girl frozen under ice. 

In Shropshire, November 1139 the tide of civil war has swept over the city of Worcester and washed away many of its inhabitants, livestock, property and women. Those who could escape scurry for their lives northwards away from marauders to wherever there is a priory, walled town or castle strong enough for shelter. Among them, an orphaned boy and his sister accompanied by a nun - the ill fated Sister Hilaria. Cadfael spends the entirety of the lengthy play exploring Shropshire on horseback to piece the mystery together.

With no production shots as of yet, the images used above and below are from a location shoot that provided the play with video projection when scenes were more difficult to play out live. This perhaps confirms that The Virgin In The Ice is better suited as a novel and to screen rather than stage. Scenes ended rather abruptly and action switched instantly to somewhere else - providing there wasn't a set change. Hooded monks quite often wheeled trees on and off the stage (yes, trees on wheels) and a large wooden fort, although impressive in size required monks to hold back the curtains of the wings whilst it was tediously and noisily clamped into position. 

The sets however were beautiful, designed by Michael Lunney (who also adapted and directed) and with a whole team of scenic artists it is clear that every effort had gone into the authenticity of the scenery and backdrops as well as the snow machines which worked well. The bespoke footwear and armoury is again an example of the creative team's dedicated effort. There are still a few teething problems with the show (currently in it's first week) such as sound effects that were left to run on into the next track playing over dialogue which was completely missed. 

(George Telfer)

There were strong performances from of course Gareth Thomas (Brother Cadfael) - also George Telfer (Brother Eelyas), Paul Hassall (Hugh Beringer) and Daniel Murray (Yves Hugonin). Other performances may have perhaps been stronger had they not have been required to perform a slow motion sword fight which was less dramatic, more comical. 

It's an interesting story, and given the circumstances of the play, I think it's hard to do better. With a few tweaks to the pace and perhaps a little more attention to the stage combat Cadfael - The Virgin In The Ice could be a solid piece of drama. 

The world premiere performances continue at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 9th March. Tickets can be booked here. 

Promotional Trailer:

CADFAEL - THE VIRGIN IN THE ICE (UK Tour) Exploring Cadfael's Shrewsbury and interview with Michael Lunney

Middle Ground Theatre Company present the world stage premiere of Ellis Peter's 6th chronicle of Brother Cadfael The Virgin In The Ice at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this March.

Between 1977 and 1994 Ellis Peters (Pseudonym of Edith Pargeter) wrote twenty novels featuring the Welsh Benedictine Monk and herbalist - Brother Cadfael who lived in Shrewsbury Abbey in the first half of the 12th Century. In light of Michael Lunney's new stage adaptation we took a trip to the home of Cadfael himself.

Assisted by tour guide and local area expert Dorothy Nicolle we set about the town beginning at the centre-point of all the stories - Shrewsbury Abbey. The Abbey was founded in 1083 and by the 1130's the Abbey still had no shrine to attract pilgrims. According to legend Saint Winefride's suitor Caradog was outraged when she became a nun, and so dicapitated her. Her head was subsequently rejoined by Saint Beuno and the remains of a shrine to her can be found at the Abbey. This story links to themes in the first Cadfael Novel - A Morbid Taste For Bones.

Edith Pargeter died on 14th October 1995 following a fall and short illness. A service was held at Shrewsbury Abbey where a memorial stained glass window to Saint Benedict can be found above the entrance. Part of the window depicts and open book and the character of Brother Cadfael whom Edith Pargeter created. The Cadfael novels are well researched and take place alongside actual historical events and at real venues within Shrewsbury all featured on the tour. The tour of the town continued across the bridge to St Mary's Church and to the castle which also feature heavily in the stories. More on Dorothy's walking tours can be found on her website. 

Gareth Thomas as Brother Cadfael

Fans of Cadfael are most likely to be familiar with the character portrayed by Derek Jacobi in the TV series that ran on ITV between 1994 and 1998. Gareth Thomas steps into the iconic role for the stage adaption of The Virgin In The Ice. It is the winter of 1139 and the tranquil life in the monastery gardens of Shrewsbury is interrupted by violence. Raging civil war has sent refugees fleeing north from Worcester. Among them, a missing trio, including a young Benedictine nun. Cadfael's search for them leads him to discover a chilling and terrible murder most foul - a tale of passion gone astray. 

The production which receives it's world premiere in Wolverhampton was adapted, designed and directed by Michael Lunney.

I was aware of the Cadfael Chronicles and indeed The Carlton Television Series. At the time I was looking for my next project. I decided to read a number of the Cadfael novels and became an instant convert to the good brother. I like the character as a man and as a priest. The fact that he was 40 years on this earth before he entered the cloister in an attempt to make sense of his life intrigued me. That he had been a Soldier, Sea Farer, Crusader and Sinner, set him aside from the usual vocational calling associated with monastic life.

George Telfer as Brother Elyas

I have always relished a challenge. Adapting, designing, directing and producing “Cadfael: The Virgin In The Ice” is certainly that. It has given and continues to give me many sleepless nights. It might look on paper to be a vanity project, but nothing could be further from the truth .It’s simply cohesive artistic planning and a lot of hard work!

Daniel Murray as Yves Hugonin

The production boasts an acting company of fifteen led by the superb double Bafta Nominee Gareth Thomas as Brother Cadfael. We have also filmed a number of bespoke scenes (some with horses) which are to be projected, to help us with journeys into the Shropshire countryside that segue between scene changes. The Design is partly based upon the Romanesque architecture of Shrewsbury Abbey and the church of St Mary The Virgin at what was Bromfield Priory.

The production marks a double celebration in this year’s calendar. It is the centenary of the birth of Edith Pargeter (Ellis Peters) and Middle Ground Theatre Company’s 25th Birthday. Tickets for the world premiere of The Virgin In The Ice at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (6th - 9th March 2013) can be booked here.