the anchor

The war that divided Albion is over, but the divisions remain. The new King wants to unite the land under Christianity, but pagan forces, that emerge from the land itself, still hold sway with much of the population. When the Drowning Sickness comes, and it feels like judgement day is nigh, it suddenly matters greatly which God you believe in.

A religious mystic who is shut away from the world, Joan the Anchor, hears a voice. It comes from the grave that she is required to dig every day. The voice promises a cure to stop the drowning sickness sweeping Albion.

Will she follow it, and let the world in? What forces could be released if she does? She is meant to be beholden to Jesus only, but her own beliefs aren't what they seem- trapped in a cell, for being part of the famous Gray family that lost the war, her loyalty lies not with the Christianity taking hold in Albion, but in the much older, pagan forces whose time is now. January. The season of the Lord of Misrule.

Her brother Edmund has converted to Christianity, and is trying to build their family up through any means necessary. The villagers, that come to Joan for advice, are on the verge of rioting. And when William, Joan's lover that was presumed dead, arrives with money and power, and promises a new life, will she decide to break free of it all? Where should Joan's loyalties lie?

This new play by Douglas Taylor is a portrait of Britain at a turning point, where mysticism is dying and capitalism is taking hold among a fearful people. The Anchor asks: how is it possible to hold on to a dying culture as modernity takes over?

Ticket information:

Performance dates: 2nd - 17th January 2026

Performance time:  7.30pm / 6pm

Run Time: 90 mins (no interval)

Tickets: £20 / 18 (includes booking fee) 

Previews: £14 

Early Bird Tickets £15 Until 1st December