12:03pm Wednesday 17th June 2009
By Alex Lewis
LOCAL Morris men will be performing at two pubs on the fringe of St Albans tonight to help the makers of a new play understand the traditional English dance form.
The Woodside Morris Men, who are based in Watford, will dance at 8pm at The Elephant and Castle, near Nomansland Common, and later at The Swan in Wheathampstead.
Spokesman David Durham said: “We will be entertaining Natalie Ibu and Gerard Horan. Natalie is assistant director on a new play, Jerusalem, which will be opening at the Royal Court Theatre on July 10. One of the characters, played by Gerard Horan, is a Morris dancer, and the intention is for him to get a feel for the dance, and later to receive some instruction on a few steps to help with authenticity.
“Gerard is an easily recognised British character actor of countless TV and film appearances, including London’s Burning, Kingdom and Lark Rise to Candleford.”
The play is direced by Jez Butterworth, whose links to St Albans were reflected in his 2001 film Birthday Girl, starring Nicole Kidman and both made and set in the city.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk