Aelfgyva

Written and directed by Jane Woollard.

Aelfgyva was a contemporary theatre performance which investigated the use of gesture in performance, in response to medieval manuscript illustrations; and the continuation of my extensive work on the lives of medieval women, and the representation of these stories via contemporary theatre. Aelfgyva is one of three women represented in the Bayeux Tapestry, said to have been created by English women. The play speculated on who she was, and why she might have been afforded status in the tapestry as a named figure.

Composer and hurdy gurdy player Stevie Wishart created an electronic underscore, and a live score for harper and female singer. The text moved between musician/singer and two actors. Amanda Johnson’s set design referenced the tapestry and embroidery through the use of oversize contemporary materials. A large version of Halley’s comet dominated the set, a reference to the star that links Aelfgyva’s age to our own, a manifestation of the long line of history between then and now. This innovative cross-disciplinary project took medieval material and interrogated it through a feminist view of history, and addressed its subject via cutting edge music, art and performance practice of leading practitioners.

Aelfgyva was presented at the North Melbourne Town Hall for the 2003 Melbourne Autumn Music Festival. It was funded by Arts Victoria for both Creative Development and Production phases of the project. It received substantial support from the Autumn Music Festival. The production was shortlisted for a Green Room Award for Outstanding Independent Theatre Production, and Amanda Johnson was nominated for outstanding design in the same category.

Cast: Carolyn Connor, Margaret Mills, Colin James, Natalia Mann

Design: Amanda Johnson

Music: Stevie Wishart
Lighting: Richard Vabre

Photography: Nich Kocher