Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
Elysium Theatre present tales of corruption and greed, violence and injustice in the North’s border lands
Northumberland, Cumbria and Southern Scotland, circa 400 or so years ago: too far North for London to care about them and too far South for Edinburgh to have much effective influence. Sound familiar? Despite the sense of deja-vu, the borderlands were rougher still, rife with tribal warfare between clans scrapping over food and supplies in the harsh climate. Now, as part of this year’s celebrations of 1900 years of Hadrian’s Wall, storyteller Steve Byron showcases his trilogy of modern folklore at venues across the region this month, based on some of the tales that came out of these lawless times.
Reiver – Tales From The Borders was first enjoyed as one of North East theatre company Elysium’s Covid Monologues, online shows which kept the company afloat during the pandemic. From one turbulent time to another, these stories are apparently always in vogue. These adapted folk tales of corruption and greed, violence and injustice, and the never-ending battle for humanity’s survival through the lens of individuals fighting against less than ideal circumstances make the borders of yesteryear sound like an alien land – but beneath lies relatable tales of human beings taking a stand against an oppressive regime that left the North East desperately wanting. What other lessons could be learnt from this page in history?
