What does a far-right enclave or a revived Viking state look like? Take a look at these production images from Danelaw to find out, then book your tickets!
The new updated version of Peter Hamilton’s 2005 drama, directed by Ken McClymont, runs at the Old Red Lion Theatre from until 5 October 2019.
An aristocratic civil servant working for MI6 is tracking down trouble-makers of the far right and poses as an embittered racist in order to lure a group of disaffected, working-class, white men into a plot to set up the Danelaw, a white-supremacist state in East Anglia. As this ludicrous plan unfolds, it engulfs both civil servant and his prey in unforeseen violence and chaos.
Danelaw reunites Hamilton with regular collaborator and former Artistic Director of the Old Red Lion Theatre, McClymont, who previously directed Hamilton’s The Poetry of Exile and Playground. Dan Maclane leads the cast as Cliff, a racist thug serving five years in prison, who is offered the chance to re-establish the Golden Age of Viking rule by Mr Warboys, played by Craig Crosbie. Bradley Crees, Will Henry, Marcus Kinsella, Marcel Hagen, Tomi Jatto, Richard Fish, Evelyn Craven, Josie Ayers and Emma Stannard complete the cast.
Meet the cast
There’s also a poet in #DanelawORL btw.
Does any poetry make the cast’s faves #quotes? No time to ask at @ORLTheatre Q&A but luckily @danmaclane @Crees @W_H_Barratt @marcus_kinsella @dickycod @EvelynCraven @TheOnlyStannard & co already answered.https://t.co/pR0JnsxDE7 pic.twitter.com/FNo5NBU7CP
— Terri Paddock (@TerriPaddock) September 22, 2019
Danelaw is loosely inspired by the true story of an attempt by the neo-Nazi group Combat 18 to establish a white-supremacist homeland in East Anglia in the 1990s. Hamilton originally staged it at the White Bear Theatre in 2005. The new production is not just a revival, but a new adaptation of the play.
Hamilton’s other plays include Bridlington, described by Remotegoat as a “surrealistic, powerful and extraordinarily beautiful play”, and The Poetry of Exile, which Arthur’s Seat dubbed, “a hidden gem”.
Danelaw runs at Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John St, Islington, London EC1V 4NJ from 17 September to 5 October 2019, with performances Tuesdays to Saturdays 7.30pm, matinees Saturdays and Sundays 3pm. Tickets are priced £16. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!!
Production gallery
