Celebrating the life and genius of Sir Christoper Wren, his work in raising the City of London from the ashes of The Great Fire, and his vision for St Bride’s – the cathedral of Fleet Street.
The evening includes dramatised scenes written by Graham Warrener, directed by Jake Sleet with music from St Bride’s Choir and the period instrument ensemble Endelienta Baroque. We are delighted that Giles Coren, journalist and presenter, will be joining us as a guest reader.
The event commemorates England’s greatest architect in this his 300th anniversary year.
We are grateful for the support of Fleet Street Quarter – a local business initiative founded to foster inclusion, diversity, innovation, celebrate culture and help deliver a green and sustainable business district.
Please note, refunds are not available. All proceeds go to support the work and ministry of St Bride’s and the restoration of one of Wren’s most beloved masterpieces.
Formed in 1957, St Bride’s Choir is an ensemble of twelve professional singers which sings at the two choral services each Sunday at St Bride’s Church, and at many other events during the church’s busy year. This experienced team is under the direction of Robert Jones and explores a huge repertoire with great enthusiasm and musicianship.
Originally founded in 2017, Endelienta Baroque comprises some of the country’s most talented young performers on historical instruments. Their aim is simple – to revel in the joy of performing music from many baroque repertories, and to invite audiences to participate in that joy.
Actors
Mia Finnigan, Jonathan Coote, Auguste Voulton, and Ruggero Barlaba, who will play Christopher Wren.
Giles Coren is a restaurant critic and columnist who has been writing for The Times since 1993. A previous winner of British Press Awards food and drink writer of the year, he was also named the restaurant writer of the year at the Fortnum & Mason Awards in 2016. As well as an award-winning journalist, Giles is a television presenter and author.
Jake Sleet – Director
Jake graduated with First Degree Honours in Film Production, with his final year film opening the horror section of the world’s largest youth film festival in Seattle. Having gone on to study commercial direction at the National Film and Television School, his desire for innovative storytelling led to his work for an LGBT+ charity receiving worldwide attention and gave him the opportunity to direct the school’s cinema ad, which played for 2 years across 83% of UK cinemas. More recently, Jake has begun directing for theatre, most recently collaborating with Graham Warrener on the WWI drama ‘Don’t Shoot The Meistersinger’, which was selected for a development run as part of the New Wimbledon Theatre’s 2022 ‘Premiere’ season. Keen to broaden his develop his talents, he is currently combining his theatre projects with further studies in Scotland, under Mark Thomson, former artistic director of Edinburgh’s Lyceum Theatre.
Graham Warrener – Writer
Graham began his professional writing career whilst studying drama at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. His plays have been presented in both London and regionally. His football comedy ‘Nice Bit O’Fish in High Wycombe’ was named Time Out’s ‘Play of the Week’, whilst his critically acclaimed comedy drama about the life of Les Dawson ‘Cissie & Ada: An Hysterical Rectomy’ toured the UK from 2012 to 2014, playing to sold-out houses. He founded Profugo Arts, through which he mentors young and upcoming creatives across the world, and stages new plays by emerging writers struggling for recognition.
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