Columbina Theatre Company

Columbina Theatre Company offers EGIL, a 90-minute performance based on the Icelandic Saga of the famous Viking poet Egil Skallagrimsson. Written and performed by Peter Oswald, directed by Howard Gayton, who accompanies on mandolin, Kazoo, spoons, cajon and harmonica. Three times Egil saves his life by means of his own poetry. First from the terrifying Erik Bloodaxe, King of York; then from his wish to end his own life; finally from the bleak clutches of oblivion. This is visceral, comic, tragic, extreme physical and musical poetry.

We have performed EGIL to enraptured and horrified audiences in village halls across the South West of England, at Dartington Hall, at the Bike Shed Theatre in Exeter, and the Marylebone Theatre, London.

I was a member of the audience at your performance of Egil last Wednesday evening at the Marylebone Theatre and I wanted to write an email thanking you very much for the poetry. I found the piece to be one of the most exciting I’ve seen in recent years. The language was incantatory, the story beautiful – I was spellbound and inspired throughout. I sincerely hope Egil lives into cantankerous old age again and again as the production enjoys many more performances in London and across the UK!

With warm thanks and very best wishes,

Emma (an overjoyed audience member)

We are also developing a play, THEATRE IS DEAD….