‘Dart, Eske, sisters. Two great beech trees. Sheltering their flocks.’
Set in 1100BC: two queens – sisters – Dart and Eske, rulers of Dartmoor and Exmoor, govern Devon’s matriarchal society. Off the coast Brutus, an exile from the Mediterranean, has been wrecked by a great storm – unknown to the two sisters.
This production used large-scale puppetry, live music, dance and drama to tell a rich and fast-paced story of violence, love and betrayal and – ultimately -reconciliation.
MED Theatre explored the possibility of matriarchy on Dartmoor and Exmoor and how the interruption of a stranger to normal life might impact the nurturing, but flawed, political landscape created by the two queens of the moors, Dart and Eske, in order to keep their society functioning against the threat posed by a violent world around them.
This production was live-streamed and recorded, enabling a higher number of audience members to enjoy the performances and ensuring it was accessible to those who were shielding or finding it difficult to leave the house due to COVID-19.
If you are interested in watching the production, MED Theatre are pleased to be able to offer the link to the recording for £5 per household. Please use the below button to pay us via PayPal and receive the link, or email helengilbert@medtheatre.co.uk for more information!
This production was performed in the summer of 2020, during the Coronavirus pandemic. MED Theatre were able to deliver 4 performances across both moors, to socially distanced audiences – including a digital audience of 196 people across the UK.
Bridford Woodland Trust (Dartmoor)
Thursday 10th and Friday 11th September 2020 – 7pm
Ashcombe Gardens, Simonsbath (Exmoor)
Sunday 13th September 2020 (2pm matinee and 7pm)