Rowdy Festive Comedy At The Knight Of The Burning Pestle

By Sponsor Last edited 111 months ago
Rowdy Festive Comedy At The Knight Of The Burning Pestle

This is a sponsored article on behalf of Shakespeare's Globe.

Photo: Alastair Muir

One of the earliest comedies to hit the English stage, The Knight of the Burning Pestle is back for a second year running at the beautiful Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

Last year’s Christmas run was raved about by audiences and critics alike. This year, Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, EastEnders) and Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia and Blur's Parklife) are both back on board to lead the madcap meta-romp, but this time with added mince pies, mulled wine and festive decorations to boot.

If the mulled wine doesn’t get you feeling jolly, then the performance itself certainly will. Francis Beaumont’s screwball comedy features a play-within-a-play, a cast of riotous London characters, charming songs and a whole lot of heckling, pratfalls and silliness that spills over the stage and into the audience (’tis the 17th century, after all).

And the setting couldn’t be better. Set adjacent to Shakespeare’s Globe, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse was built making use of 17th century indoor theatre plans and incorporates oak structure, musicians’ gallery, ornately painted ceiling and is lit entirely by candlelight. In short, it’s blimmin’ atmospheric and is the ideal spot to stage what is said to be the first ever English parody.

Inside the Beautiful Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Photo: Pete Le May

So if you’re looking for a festive fancy that doesn’t involve losing your soul in an overly twee Christmas panto, give The Knight of the Burning Pestle (or should that be knight of the syphilitic penis?) a try. It’s still chocka full of satire and innuendo — but not just any innuendo — innuendo that's been stewing for over 400 years. Yum.

The Knight of the Burning Pestle is at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse from 11 December-11 January 2015. Tickets cost £10-£60 and can be booked online or via the Box Office on 020 7401 9919.

Last Updated 01 December 2014