Village provides cast and backdrop for theatrical account of its history

Eva Stearn, Grant Vicat and Asha Ray in rehearsal for Illuminating the Knight Picture: SPINNING WHEEL THEATRE (Image: Spinning Wheel Theatre)

A medieval pageant will see villagers bring heritage to life in a one-off outdoor experience near Bury St Edmunds this month.

Illuminating the Knight will use local landmarks to chart the history of Bardwell by way of the Black Death, Peasants' Revolt and Hundred Years' War.

Settings include the windmill, Church of St Peter and St Paul, the Dun Cow pub and Tithe Barn Village Hall, as a cast of locals treat audiences to an immersive theatre production.

At the centre of the story will be Sir William de Berdewell (1357-1434), tax collector and benefactor to St Peter and St Paul's.

Eva Stearn is one of only a couple of members of the cast from outside Bardwell Picture: SPINNING WHEEL THEATRE (Image: Spinning Wheel Theatre)

The project involves about 50 people from the community, including children from Bardwell Primary School, members of Bardwell Manor Equestrian Centre and local bell-ringers, with other volunteers helping to make props and costumes.

Illuminating the Knight is part of a wider project to restore the medieval stained glass windows in the church, and make the building more user-friendly by installing more toilets and kitchen facilities.

The project received £46,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £10,000 from the National Churches Trust Repair Grant.

Churchwarden Dinkie Williamson said: "We hope that the people of Bardwell will enjoy learning about Sir William De Berdewell, and life in the late 14th, early 15th centuries, and have a new understanding and appreciation of their significant heritage."

Settings include the windmill, Church of St Peter and St Paul, the Dun Cow pub and Tithe Barn Village Hall Picture: SPINNING WHEEL THEATRE (Image: Spinning Wheel Theatre)

The new walking production has been directed by professional East Anglian touring company, Spinning Wheel Theatre.

Amy Wyllie, artistic director, who directed Illuminating the Knight, said: "It is great to work on an original piece of theatre with a village which has so much interesting history.

"Theatre is a good way to bring communities together and we hope people find there is a lot more to Bardwell than first meets the eye."

Illuminating the Knight starts in the church at 3pm on Saturday, September 28, and is suitable for all ages. Tickets cost £4 for adults and £2.50 for children.

Asha Ray in rehearsal for Illuminating the Knight Picture: SPINNING WHEEL THEATRE (Image: Spinning Wheel Theatre)

Advance booking is recommended. Visit tithebarnbardwell.onesuffolk.net/events.

Illuminating the Knight will use local landmarks to chart the history of Bardwell Picture: SPINNING WHEEL THEATRE (Image: Spinning Wheel Theatre)