Maybe there’s treason in us all…
1415. The armies of England muster in Southampton, preparing to launch Henry V’s invasion of France.
But Scrope of Masham has discovered a dark plot that threatens to unseat Henry and change the course of history. Scrope, loyal to his king, intends to reveal all, but as he uncovers more, at Itchen Ferry, he is pulled across the dark water. Pulled so far he may not come back alive.
Across The Dark Water was specially commissioned to tell the story of the Southampton Plot. To add context and atmosphere, the play was performed at a number of different venues, each one specifically chosen for its significance during Henry’s journey to battle.
Portchester Castle, and St Julien’s Chapel, Southampton.
Stunningly directed by Owen Calvert-Lyons, it was a real privilege to watch the Rolls Royce of a cast:
Tom Brownlee as Henry
Darrell Brockis as Lord Scrope of Masham
Ben Callon as Edmund Mortimer
Chris Gunter, Richard Earl of Cambridge
And the play wonderfully realised by a great creative team
We had a nice review in the Southampton Daily Echo and loads of great responses from audiences and on twitter
“Wow, it was stunning”
“So tense and intense and brilliantly acted…so glad I went”
“Excellent production”
“Fab staging, fab script, fab acting…a must-see!
“It has to be the best modern history play around. So tense, and intense, and brilliantly acted. So glad I went”
A filmed version of the play was subsequently filmed on location around Hampshire. Here’s the first of five episodes: