Matilda to portray another chapter in Reading’s history

Developed with research support from Reading University History Department Matilda the Empress will tell the moving story of Henry I’s daughter and heir to the throne, Matilda.

The Reading Between the Lines (RBL) production follows the success of last year’s Henry I of England which won Performance of the Year and the Made In Reading award at the Reading Cultural Awards.

The sequel also brought on historians John and Lindsay Mullaney to work on the play.

Matilda gave her father the fabled hand of St James at Reading, which drew thousands of visitors to Reading Abbey and led to the naming of St James’ Church, Forbury Gardens, where the play will be performed

RBL will tell another chapter of Reading’s history including Matilda’s battle with gender equality.

Her life-long battle against gender inequality is an inspiration to women across the globe today and RBL are thrilled to be telling another chapter of Reading’s phenomenal history.

Told through the eyes of both Matilda and the people who lived and worked in Reading Abbey, the play will be a treat for those who have an interest in what Reading would have been like nearly a thousand years ago.