BARRY CAWSTON R.W.A

 All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages.

 

                                                      from As You Like It  by William Shakespeare

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The Axbridge Pageant is a community event that has been held regularly since 1967 when a celebration of the town's history was held in the town square, since then it has been held in 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010. Due to the Covid Crisis it was postponed from 2020 to the summer of 2022.

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Over three days, the dramatized sequential history of the town was staged in front of packed grandstands in the Square with each outdoor theatre performance starting at 3pm at the sound of the church clock.

Each scene passes through the centuries, charting the town’s evolution from Roman graveyard to Saxon stronghold, medieval market, Tudor wool centre and onwards to the Victorians and the 20th century.”

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After the dust settled, Artistic Director John Bailey said: “We knew there was enthusiasm for the 2022 pageant after the delays caused by Covid but the reaction has been amazing. A standing ovation on the first performance set the seal on an amazing weekend.”