“In cruelty will I seek out my fame”.

Wars of the Roses is a thrilling climax to Shakespeare’s three-part Henry VI saga of nationhood and power: who will emerge victorious? It features more battles than any other Shakespeare play and provides a chilling account of a nation’s descent into civil war.

Chris Blatch-Gainey is directing Wars of the Roses, his first in the director’s role at the historic Great Barn. Simon Frost talked to Chris about the play, why people should come along to watch and the two special performances at Fort Brockhurst.

Simon: Chris, is Wars of the Roses your début role as a director at the Great Barn? 

Chris: I’ve been a member of TFT since 2001, however this is only my second play I have directed for the company - and is my first in the Great Barn. Though directing for many years with the Royal Navy Theatre Association and the RSC, the first play I directed for TFT was Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters in the Oak Theatre back in 2021. 

Simon: What are you most looking forward to?

Chris: Directing in the Barn has its own set of unique challenges, but in saying this it pushes the director and the cast to produce the best possible quality. The history and the atmosphere of the Great Barn gives the audience an instant frame to the show given, which draws the audience instantly back to a time when acting was in its raw state without modern technology being at the forefront. What you see is what you get! We really need to up our game and keep that high standard throughout the whole performance; it is very exciting for us all!! 

Simon: Why did you decide to direct Wars of the Roses?

Chris: Being offered to direct this play is incredibly exciting. From the onset the play gave me a chance to do something I had never done before. Firstly, directing a Shakespeare means that you need to make it your own and so there is a massive task of editing the script. In this case it was to not only edit three of his plays, Henry VI part 1, Henry VI part 2 and Henry VI, but to then combine all three, so that they made sense and followed the course of history. Combing all three covers about 30 years, but this had to be condensed into what seems a year, which involves some of the most violent battles in our history and so the cast, ALL of the cast, had to be trained in combat of the period. On top of all this, the setting of the Great Barn is incredible. The thought that this area has a direct connection with the play, for example Henry and Margret were married at Titchfield’s Church, really roots the mind deep into the structure of directing the play. All in all, the pure excitement of directing Wars of the Roses will stay with me for a very long time. 

Simon: On 28 & 29 July there will be special performance at Fort Brockhurst. Will you be doing anything different for that production?

Chris: Working with the RN and RSC I have had the opportunity to direct outside many times before, and each time comes with its own difficulties. However when outside you really must rely on the actors holding your audience’s attention. The setting, like the Barn gives a great frame, but there is even less technology at Fort Brockhurst. What’s more, the weather makes acting on the stage somewhat entertaining! Taking all this into account, the performance at the Great Barn and the Fort need to be virtually the same. The only main difference is at the Fort we are letting Mother Nature to supply the main part of the lighting. 

Simon: Finally, why should people come along to watch Wars of the Roses?

Chris: This is one of those rare times that three of Shakespeare’s main historical plays are performed as one. It lays down the history of the British Crown, in which especially, this year, impacts on the coronation of our King Charles III. The actors themselves give you the anger, strife and the heartbreaking emotions of a country at war with itself. There is intrigue, battles, clashing of swords, heroes and villains, a touch of witchcraft, deceit which obviously lead into grisly murders. All at a pace to draw the audience along on the journey to see who wears the crown.   

Wars of the Roses performs from 25 July – 3 August 2023 at the Great Barn, Titchfield. For more information including booking tickets please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.

On 28 and 29 July Wars of the Roses is set in the fabulous atmospheric surrounds of Fort Brockhurst, one of Palmerston's Follies. This is a unique chance to visit this wonderful fort and enjoy the wonderful story that is the Wars of the Roses. By kind permission of English Heritage.