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06
Nov 2021
The story of King Oswald takes centre stage at Ripon Cathedral
A focus on Christian and Norse culture will be brought to a dramatic conclusion at Ripon Cathedral this evening.
At 7.30pm, the Hazelsong Theatre group will perform Whiteblade, featuring the 7th century Northumbrian King Oswald who was made a saint for his defence of the Catholic faith.
Subtitled 'King Oswald, the Sword and the Cross' it tells the story of a courageous man who pre-dates Wilfrid, the founder of Ripon Cathedral.
Andy Bates of Hazelsong, said:
Those wishing to attend the performance can book free tickets on the Ripon Cathedral website.
Prior to tonight's performance the legend of Sigurd the dragon slayer and Fafnir the dragon slain by the Viking warrior, takes centre stage.
A second dragon parade with a puppet of Fafnir, will set off from the cathedral today at 12.30 and make its way through city streets to the band stand at Spa Gardens.
Before then, between 9.30am and 12 noon, people will be able to visit the cathedral to make dragon sock puppets.
The famous Norse tale of the warrior and the dragon was represented in music and song on Thursday.
The Sigurd legend, which dates back more than a thousand years, was marked with a recital led by The Brothers Gillespie - James and Sam - who had earlier invited local people to join them and Hazelsong in an impromptu music-making session.
Next year the cathedral celebrates its 1350th anniversary and in the ancient building's treasury is the Sigurd Stone - believed to have marked the tomb of a Norse settler who was buried in Ripon.
The prized and unusual artefact, combines Christian imagery in the shape of a cross and Norse mythology, depicting the warrior and the dragon.
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