William The Conqueror – Preview

Following the unprecedented success of RABBLE Theatre’s Henry I - declared a Top 5 UK Show by The Telegraph - our creative team are back, hard at work and dreaming bigger than ever.

With investment from Arts Council England and the support of Région Normandie, France, we’re creating the next instalment of our epic historical trilogy: William the Conqueror.

And this time… we’re inviting you into the rehearsal room.

A New Chapter Begins: William the Conqueror

Step Inside the Rehearsal Room

 

On Saturday 28th June 2025, RABBLE Theatre staged a world-exclusive opportunity to enter the creative process of William the Conqueror, our most ambitious project yet.

Set in the stunning surroundings of St Laurence in Reading (founded in 1121), this special behind-the-scenes event offers a rare chance to see how professional theatre is made—from initial ideas to opening night.

The event was introduced by RABBLE’s artistic director, Toby Davies, who played Henry I in 2023.

Beth Flintoff, associate writer at RABBLE and London’s Royal Court Theatre, presented an overview of the extraordinary story, before RABBLE’s associate director, Hal Chambers discussed the world that he and the RABBLE team are creating and introduced selected scenes from the play, performed by the professional cast.

Fight Director Dani Mac (fresh from combat projects in Sydney, London and Leeds) and Movement Director Gareth Taylor (mastermind behind The White Ship’s sinking in Henry I) displayed how they’re merging combat and movement with new influences, such as parkour and street dance, to capture the chaos of war.

A live music session with electronic composer & DJ, Benjamin Hudson, and lyricist, Sami Chokri, showcased how our soundtracks are created and how, this time, we’re blending spoken word, music, and storytelling for a new experience.

 

A Thousand Years in the Making

 

As we approach the millennium of The Bastard’s birth, RABBLE is delving into the life of one of history’s most controversial and captivating figures. With innovation, heart and more than a bit of rebellion, we’re here to conquer history on stage.

 

Exploring the Conqueror in Normandy

 

RABBLE Artistic Director Toby Davies recently travelled to Caen to attend the launch of Millennium: 2027, Year of the Normans, an international initiative led by Région Normandie. Hosted at the stunning Abbey aux Dames, the event brought together artists, educators, historians and cultural leaders from eight nations to explore plans for 2027. For RABBLE, currently developing William the Conqueror, it was a valuable opportunity to share ideas, make new connections and discover exciting possibilities for bringing Norman history to contemporary audiences. With Reading's own Norman heritage, the conversations couldn't have come at a better time.