Key Podcast Details
Theme - The role of women in the Church of England
Location - Lincoln
Dates - April to November 2023
School - William Farr CofE Comprehensive School, Lincoln
With the help of - Lincoln Cathedral
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'The Fair Gospeller'
The Fair Gospeller is a historical tale that recounts the story of Anne Askew, a courageous woman from Lincolnshire who challenged the religious and societal norms of her time. Set against the backdrop of 16th-century England,
the play charts Anne's journey from a young, idealistic woman to a
fearless martyr for her beliefs.
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Anne spends much time reading the Bible and she begins to question the Catholic Church's practices and doctrines. The play delves into Anne's brave actions, such as publicly reading the Bible in Lincoln Cathedral (which was illegal for women at the time) and openly challenging the Church's teachings.
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Anne's encounters with prominent figures, including Queen Catherine Parr, shapes her beliefs and her struggle for religious freedom. Her determination to advocate for women's rights and religious reform lands her in trouble with the authorities, leading to her arrest, torture, and imprisonment.
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The play culminates in her dramatic execution by burning at the stake, emphasizing the sacrifices made by those who fought for their beliefs.
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Anne’s impact on the early stages of the English Reformation was significant and she left behind an enduring legacy. The Fair Gospeller encourages listeners to reflect on the struggles women have faced throughout history in their pursuit of equality and justice.
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Audio play starts from 00:00 to 19:00
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Audio Play Synopsis
In Conversation
With the young people as interviewers, The Venerable Karen Lund, Archdeacon of Manchester, The Very Revd Dr Jane Hedges, Interim Dean of Newcastle, Sally Bleasdale, Education Manager for Lincoln Cathedral and Gillian Georgiou, Diocesan RE and SIAMS Adviser, provide honest, reflective answers about their worldview, how their faith and/or work helps them to live and celebrate, and the issues found in the audio play.
In conversation starts at 19:00 to 34:30
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Soundscape
One of the most staggering features of a Cathedral is the enormity of the building. Acoustically, this makes small sounds big, short sounds long, and can be used to
project voices, and mask others. This piece articulates these facets of the Lincoln Cathedral, giving a sense of magnitude, from the enveloping ring of the bell,
to the tiniest of sounds dancing around the stone walls. Also included are the voices of the Cathedral, including orators from evening prayers, and the voices of the choristers performing the Evensong.
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Cameron Naylor - Sound Artist
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Soundscape starts 34.30 to the end
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Education Pack
Each podcast has its own bespoke education pack filled with structured and progressing activities designed to assist the teacher in the classroom. Links can be made with the RE and PSHE curriculum,
as well as other curriculum areas.
Credits
Emily Bignell - Creative Director
Neil A. Edwards – Writer
Ben Glover – Drama Facilitator
Cameron Naylor - Sound Artist
David Brook - Audio Technician and Editor
David Lambert and Leanne Taylor - Producers
Anna Sandiford, Shooting Fish and Gillian Georgiou - RE Adviser
(Lincoln Diocesan Board of Education) - Education Pack
Worldview partnership
Sally Bleasdale – Education Manager, Lincoln Cathedral
Jane Hedges – retired interim Dean of Newcastle
Karen Lund – Archdeacon of Manchester
Jennifer King - Head of Religious Studies, William Farr Church of England
Comprehensive School
Actors
Young people from William Farr Church of England Comprehensive School
Arthur Stevens - Morgan
Sienna Batu - Finley
Scarlett Picker - Skylar
Trinity Burton - Riley
Matthew Pitfield - Narrator
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Sarah Edwards – Corkhill
Laura Turner – Anne Askew (Anne Kyme)
Michael McCredie – Priest
Neil Edwards – Sir William Askew and Christopher Brittain
Anthony Glennon – Thomas Kyme and Sir Thomas Wriothesley
Ben Glover – Sergeant at Arms
Martyn Bignell – Shaxton