Name: Dance of Death
Start: 2024-11-01T19:00:00+00:00
End: 2024-11-02T20:30:00+00:00
Location: The Guild Chapel

A community production involving local actors and musicians, as well as volunteers from the Guild Chapel.
About this Event

A unique opportunity to see the rarely performed medieval poem the Dance of Death, in the historic Guild Chapel, Stratford-upon-Avon, where it was painted over 500 years ago

An evening of wine, dance, and music, and lots of grisly humour!

The ‘Dance of Death’ is a moralising tale, and its first known appearance as the Danse Macabre was in 1424, exactly 600 years ago. The poem is a dialogue between Death and a series of characters from all walks of life, and gives an insight into the beliefs and anxieties at the time. The message is that life is fleeting and Death can take you at any time so you must be prepared and live a virtuous life - in the end, wealth and status, and youth and beauty, mean nothing. The poem’s humour comes from Death’s ability to recognise and poke fun at the foibles of humankind.

Performances on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd November 6.30pm-8.00pm

Coinciding with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, two important medieval Christian festivals celebrated the day after All Hallows Eve (Halloween).

Audience members will be greeted with a glass of wine on arrival (non-alcoholic options will be available).