14th century Gothic church to host radical reimagining of Shakespeare

This summer, Bristol’s historic Temple Church will be brought to life with a series of free public events alongside Insane Root Theatre’s all-female and non-binary reimagining of Henry V.

Running from June 10 to August 2, the programme includes creative workshops, live performances, yoga, wellbeing sessions, and guided tours, all designed to connect communities with the city’s built heritage in inclusive and contemporary ways.

The main production, Henry V, opens on June 19 and will be staged in the atmospheric Gothic ruins of the 14th-century church, featuring original music, under the direction of Natalie Simone.

Supported by Redcliffe & Temple BID, the cultural programme invites public participation through drawing sessions, folklore-inspired workshops, playwriting courses and Shakespeare masterclasses.

The ruins of the 14th century Gothic church is the setting for the radical retelling of Henry V – photo: BID

Weekly highlights include Tuesday drawing sessions led by local artists, Wednesday lunchtime yoga and wellbeing sessions—particularly welcoming to women and non-binary people—and Friday morning tours by English Heritage exploring the site’s rich history

In July, three new live shows by emerging artists will be staged at Temple Church as part of Insane Root’s cultural programme. Highlights include:

• The Crucible(ish) (July 6) – a feminist retelling by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School students
• Pigeon Maiden (July 13–14) – a new play by Millie Haldane
• Curfew (27–28 July) – a provocative piece imagining a world where men face a nightly curfew, preceded by BASH, a disco-themed self-defence workshop
  All events are free, but booking is essential.

Performances of Henry V continue until August 2, with tickets starting at £12.50 for local residents. For schedules and bookings, visit www.insaneroot.org.uk/henry-v-temple-church

Sabrina Shutter of Redcliffe & Temple BID praised the programme for its inclusivity and role in revitalising historic spaces.

She said: “We’re delighted to support this extensive and inclusive community programme alongside Insane Root’s production of Henry V. It’s exactly the sort of initiative that breathes new life into our historic spaces, invites everyone to get involved, and strengthens the cultural fabric of the Redcliffe and Temple area.”

Rehearsals of the radical reimagining of Henry V by Insane Root Theatre – photo: Craig Fuller

Rooted in Insane Root’s mission of bold, site-specific storytelling, the season encourages audiences to reconnect with Bristol’s hidden heritage through performance, creativity, and community.

All events are free, though booking is required. Full details and ticket info are available at www.insaneroot.org.uk/copy-of-henry-v-box-office

The programme includes lunchtime yoga and wellbeing sessions to offer a calming reset in the heart of the city – photo: BID

Redcliffe & Temple BID is a member of the Bristol24/7 Better Business network, an initiative to help businesses thrive while creating a positive impact on Bristol and the people who live here. As part of their membership, businesses can publish member news stories like this. For more information, visit my.bristol247.com/better-business

Main photo: BID

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