In June 1985 a group of new age travellers were on their way to the annual summer solstice free festival at Stonehenge. They were stopped a few miles from the stones by police who were enforcing an exclusion zone. In an attempt to progress around the roadblocks the travellers’ convoy broke into a near-by field where they were eventually confronted by police in riot gear. Violence broke out, which escalated during the evening. What actually occurred depends on which account you believe but there can be little doubt that the police overreacted resulting in smashed windows, damaged vehicles and a huge number of injuries to the travellers. Although no charges were ever brought over 500 people were arrested. Many eyewitness accounts of the events state that the police used violent tactics against men, women and children, including pregnant women; and purposely damaged the vehicles used by the convoy. It became known as the Battle of the Beanfield
Breach Theatre Company take on the task of relating these events in the fashion of a self-referencing theatre piece during which they attempt to recreate the battle in the manner of an historical re-enactment group. Using eyewitness accounts, videos and letters this group of six capable young actors present an insightful and appealing piece of drama leading up to an emotional, visceral climax. They cleverly switch between the amusing and the solemn phases of the play blending action, video and sound to keep the audience engaged for the whole hour.
During a week in which the police have been heavily criticised for their actions at the Hillsborough disaster this play leaves us in no doubt that their conduct at the Battle of the Beanfield was similarly flawed and perhaps it was just luck that nobody died or was more seriously injured. Even an ex-police officer expresses disgust at the tactics of his own comrades. And in a touching interview one of the ex-travellers relates her own encounter with a policeman some years after the event. They bonded over motorbikes and eventually she settled her differences with the regretful officer with tears and hugs.
Admittance to Stonehenge at the summer solstice is now allowed under English Heritage’s Managed Open Access scheme and it’s this setting that provides a comic sub-plot as a young woman describes her experiences during a night at Stonehenge. Wondering if her humus will be confiscated at the gate; being pestered by a boring office worker; feeling the energy of the stones… or not. The audience get plenty of laughs from descriptions of what might be termed weekend hippies and the whole thing provides a clever counterpoint to the events of the Beanfield encounter.
Breach Theatre Company describe themselves as performance makers crossing disciplines and mashing media. Credit should go to the directors and producers of this piece for their use of video, lighting and staging; all of which are deftly blended to produce an ambitious and unnerving analysis of the events of 30 years ago, which still have a bearing on our lives today. ★★★★☆ Adrian Mantle 28th April 2016
Photo by Richard Davenport
