Pilgrims Promenade

Sitting in a pub, swapping stories with a bunch of strangers while sipping a pint is generally agreed to be a pleasant way to spend an evening. Even better if it’s a pub like the George Inn, London’s only surviving galleried coaching inn nestled behind Borough High Street in its own little cobbled courtyard. Park yourself on one of the benches outside with a tankard of foaming ale and you could well believe that it’s 1676 all over again. This jolly drinking spot is the starting point of an open air performance of the ultimate pub crawl Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

From the 28th of June until the 10th of July (excluding Fridays) the Southwark Playhouse presents a promenade performance of Chaucer’s epic poem that takes the audience along the streets the pilgrims themselves would have lurched down on the way to Canterbury, spinning yarns all the way. The Knight’s tale takes place in St George’s Gardens (complete with jousting), The Pardoner’s Tale will unfold in Borough Market and the whole thing ends with the Wife of Bath’s story in the Millennium Court next to Southwark Cathedral.

Performances start at 7.15pm, tickets cost £15.00 and can only be booked in advance. See London through the eyes of pilgrims – it’s a bit blurry and the beer goggles don’t help but you’ll all be besht mates by the end of it, aye squire, verily …