Redcrosse, the secular and the sacred: an evening of performance and presentations on St George and the modern meaning of Englishness

University of Birmingham and St George’s Church, Edgbaston, are delighted to present the homecoming of *Redcrosse*, the new poetic liturgy for England and St George. Following acclaimed performances in Windsor Castle, Manchester Cathedral and Coventry Cathedral, the contemporary liturgy will premiere in the beautiful St George’s Church on Wednesday 24 April from 18:00.

Deriving from a multi-grant-winning project led by Professor Ewan Fernie (Shakespeare Institute), Redcrosse takes its cue from one of the great neglected epics of English literature, Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene. It offers its new vision of England and St. George through brand-new poetry by the former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, the winner of last year’s Costa Prize Jo Shapcott, Michael Symmons Roberts, Ewan Fernie and Andrew Shanks.

Performed by the Shakespeare Institute Players, Redcrosse directly addresses some of the most important issues currently relating to English literature and culture, such as the ever-changing nature of Englishness in an increasingly plural and globalised society. It also tests the potential for poetry, music and other creative arts to create and reshape new forms of religious experience and practice today.

Leading University of Birmingham academics Professor Michael Dobson and Dr Chris Allen will join Reverend Julian Francis in presenting and discussing their views on the secular and the sacred and the meaning of Englishness in a modern society.

Venue: St George’s Church, Edgbaston

FREE EVENT. For more information, or to book a place , contact Charlotte Heap, Alumni Relations Manager for the College of Arts and Law, University of Birmingham, on +44 (0)121 414 2787 or by emailing c.heap@bham.ac.uk.