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Encyclopedia > Four Nights in Knaresborough
Four Nights in Knaresborough
Written by Paul Webb
Date of premiere November 1999
Country of origin  United Kingdom
Original language English
Subject The aftermath of the murder of Thomas Beckett
Genre Historical fiction
Setting Knaresborough Castle, 1171

Four Nights in Knaresborough is a play written by Paul Corcoran (now known as Paul Webb) and first performed at the Tricycle Theatre, London in 1999. It recounts the aftermath of the murder of Thomas Becket by four knights making "the worst career choice in history".[1] Despite being an historical drama, the play uses modern language, including an abundance of profanity and slang.[2] 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Saint Thomas à Becket (or Thomas Becket) (ca. ... A historical novel is a novel in which the story is set among historical events, or more generally, where the time the action takes place in predates the time of the first publication -- distinguish and contrast the genre of alternate history. ... Knaresborough Castle is a group of ruins in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England. ... Events Saladin abolishes the Fatimid caliphate, restoring Sunni rule in Egypt. ... The Tricycle Theatre is located on Kilburn High Road in the Kilburn district of north London. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... (St. ... A historical novel is a novel in which the story is set among historical events, or more generally, where the time the action takes place in predates the time of the first publication -- distinguish and contrast the genre of alternate history. ...


A film version of the play, scripted by Webb and titled Four Knights is to be produced by Miramax Films, directed by Paul McGuigan.[3][4] Miramax Films is a film production and distribution brand that was a Big Ten film motion picture distribution and production company headquartered in New York City before being bought out by The Walt Disney Company. ... Paul McGuigan (born 1963-09-19 in Bellshill, Scotland) is a Scottish filmmaker. ...

Contents

Characters

Categories: Historical stubs ... The silver Anglia knight, commissioned as a trophy in 1850, intended to represent the Black Prince. ... Contemporary drawing portraying the murder of Becket Reginald Fitzurse was one of the four knights who murdered Thomas Becket. ... Hugh de Morvile, one of the four English knights who perpetrated the murder of Thomas à Becket. ... Sir William de Tracy (Traci) was born after 1135, and died about 1190. ... Knaresborough Castle is a group of ruins in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England. ... The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual leader and senior clergyman of the Church of England, recognized by convention as the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. ...

Plot

Set in 1171, Four Nights in Knaresborough opens in Canterbury Cathedral where four knights, Brito, Fitz, Morville, and Traci come to arrest Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. However, rather than arresting him, Becket is killed by Fitz.[5] The knights then flee to Knaresborough Castle in Yorkshire where they ensconce themselves for a year to avoid the wrath of the public and the Pope. Events Saladin abolishes the Fatimid caliphate, restoring Sunni rule in Egypt. ... Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Pope of Rome...


Over the course of four evenings, in January, March, September and December, the play portrays the gradual decline of the knights, showing their repressed desires, fears and misgivings.[2] Emphasising clashes of personalities, the play glosses over the deeper political and historical consequences of the murder.[6]


Of the four knights, Morville is the one most upset by his excommunication and isolation and argues that Becket had to die as he was opposing the progressive reforms of King Henry II. He even claims that Henry is playing a careful political game but is really on the knights' side.[5] Henry II of England (5 March 1133 – 6 July 1189) ruled as Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy, and as King of England (1154–1189) and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland, eastern Ireland, and western France. ...


Brito is not an aristocrat like the other knights, but is rather a "new man" who joined the others less out of conviction than of opportunism. As the most active and the youngest of the four knights, his imprisonment is a kind of rite of passage and he grows through the play. Brito is also rampantly heterosexual and, despite a mutual attraction between himself and Traci, he chases Catherine and ultimately martyrs himself for her when she succumbs to a fatal disease circulating the village of Knaresborough.[5]


Traci is the most complex character in the play. Guilt-ridden like Morville, he is also in love with Brito. In the past he has had a relationship with the fourth knight, the aristocratic Fitz, but is now very much alone.[5]


While the knights wait out their time in the castle, Catherine keeps the villagers at bay by ensuring them that her tenants are seeking penance through a constant cycle of fasting and prayer. Ultimately, she is tried as a witch by water.[5]


History

Four Nights in Knaresborough was the first play written by Paul Corcoran (now Paul Webb) and is the only one of his theatrical works to have been perfomed, receiving its premiere at the Tricycle Theatre, London in 1999.[7] This production suffered financial difficulties and director, Richard Wilson, had to put his own salary for the job back into the production to make it happen.[8] The Tricycle Theatre is located on Kilburn High Road in the Kilburn district of north London. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Richard Wilson OBE (born July 9, 1936) is a Scottish actor and theatre director, best known for playing Victor Meldrew in the popular BBC situation comedy One Foot in the Grave. ...


Productions

Since its premiere in 1999, there have been a number of additional notable productions of Four Nights in Knaresborough across the United Kingdom.[7]

Premiere. Tricycle Theatre, London, November - December 1999[1][2]
UK tour, Autumn 2001[9]
  • Cast: Nick Moran, Robert Cavanagh, Tim Dantay, Joseph Millson, Joy Brook
  • Director: Paul Miller
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, 2004[10]
  • Cast: Malcolm Hamilton, Adam Tomkins, Kevin MacIssac, James Sutherland, Keith Hutcheon
  • Director: Sean Kane
Riverside Studios, London, 23 March - 17 April 2005[11]
  • Cast: Demetri Alexander, Ken Bradshaw, Piers Ronan, Peter-Hugo Daly, Juliet Howland
  • Director: Peter Farago

Jonny Lee Miller Jonny Lee Miller (born November 15, 1972) is an English actor. ... Purefoy as Spence Parks in Resident Evil James Purefoy (born June 3, 1964) is an English actor born in Taunton, Somerset. ... Martin Marquez is a Spanish Briton actor. ... Nicholas James Moran, better known as Nick Moran (born 23 December 1969), is a British actor, writer and producer. ... Joy Brook (b. ... The Traverse Theatre building off Lothian Road in Edinburgh. ... The Triumph Film Company moved, in 1933, to a former factory building located in Hammersmith, west London. ...

Reception

Reviews of Four Nights in Knaresborough have been very mixed. In reviewing the premiere, The Times said that the play was confused and did not know whether it was a tragedy of character, a straight historical dramatization, a light comedy, a political-philosophical statement, or a satirical study of sexual longing. Nevertheless, the play sustained interest and it was felt that Webb could produce something remarkable with more discipline.[2] The Guardian review of the premiere, in awarding the play 3 stars, found the play to be a lively debut and thought that Webb could be better if he stopped using four-letter words in an attempt to hold the audience's attention.[1] Indeed, several reviewers have criticised the play's crude and tiresome references to wanking,[12] and extended turd jokes.[13] Look up wank in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Feces, faeces, or fæces (see spelling differences) In humans, defecation may occur (depending on the individual and the circumstances) from once every two or three days to several times a day. ...


The play's use of modern language and idiom has also received mixed reviews, drawing comparisons with Blackadder,[14] A Knight's Tale and Reservoir Dogs.[15] The Guardian review of the premiere felt that it was a good, if overused comic device,[1] while the Times thought the language, while adding realism, made the play feel lightweight.[2] An Idiom is an expression (i. ... Blackadder is the generic name that encompasses four series of an acclaimed BBC One historical sitcom, along with several one-off installments. ... A Knights Tale (2001) is a film written and directed by Brian Helgeland; the title is taken from The Knights Tale, one of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. ... Reservoir Dogs is the 1992 debut feature film of director Quentin Tarantino. ...


Film adaptation

This article or section contains information about one or more scheduled or expected films. The content may change dramatically as the film's release approaches and more information becomes available.

A film version of the play has been scripted by Webb. Titled Four Knights, it is being produced by Miramax Films and is to be directed by Paul McGuigan.[3] Image File history File links Current_event_marker. ... Image File history File links Crystal_Clear_app_aktion. ... Miramax Films is a film production and distribution brand that was a Big Ten film motion picture distribution and production company headquartered in New York City before being bought out by The Walt Disney Company. ... Paul McGuigan (born 1963-09-19 in Bellshill, Scotland) is a Scottish filmmaker. ...


Harvey Weinstein has told the director to think of the film as being like Young Guns. The screenplay is also reportedly full of action, with the knights always fleeing and being on the road. Although production was due to begin in September 2006, no further details of the film are available.[4] Harvey Weinstein at Cannes, 2002 Harvey Weinstein CBE (Hon) (born March 19, 1952) is an American film producer and movie studio chairman. ... Young Guns is a 1988 action/western film directed by Christopher Cain and written by John Fusco. ...


References

  1. ^ a b c d Look back in rancour (review of premiere). The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e Doubting castle (review of premiere). The Times. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  3. ^ a b McGuigan to shoot 'Four Knights'. Time Out, London. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  4. ^ a b Hollywood shines a light on geezers who killed à Becket. The Times. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  5. ^ a b c d e Four Nights in Knaresborough (review of Riverside production). Online Review, London. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  6. ^ Four Nights In Knaresborough (review of UK tour). WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  7. ^ a b Paul Webb (Playwright & Screenwriter). PFD. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  8. ^ Actors angry as admin eats theatre cash. The Independent. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  9. ^ Production listing (UK tour). WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  10. ^ Four Nights in Knaresborough (review of Traverse production). The British Theatre Guide. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  11. ^ Four Nights in Knaresborough (review of Riverside production). The British Theatre Guide. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  12. ^ Four Nights in Knaresborough (review of Riverside production). MusicOHM.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  13. ^ Four Nights in Knaresborough (review of Riverside production). The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  14. ^ Four Nights in Knaresborough (review of Burton Taylor production). The Oxford Student. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  15. ^ Four Nights in Knaresborough (review of Burton Taylor production). BBC Oxford. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.

The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom since 1785, and under its current name since 1788. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Time-out can mean: sport time-out, a break in play that may be called by a side to formulate strategy or respond to an players injury. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom since 1785, and under its current name since 1788. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Oxford Student is a newspaper produced by and for members of the University of Oxford; it is known locally as The OxStu. The paper was established in 1992 by Oxford University Student Union as an alternative to the Cherwell, the independent Oxford University Newspaper. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The British Broadcasting Corporation, usually known as the BBC, is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world in terms of audience numbers, employing 26,000 staff in the United Kingdom alone and with a budget of more than GB£4 billion (US$7. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

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