When Robin Hood and his merry men come to Winchester next month, they will be delighted to find plentiful supplies of their favourite ale, Saxon Bronze. Legend has it that Robin of Loxley is descended from a long established Saxon family who kept their lands after the Norman invasion - yet another reason why the upstart Sheriff of Nottingham hates him so much.
Saxon Bronze is made by Alfred's Brewery in Winnall founded by husband and wife Steve and Isabelle Haigh in 2012. Amongst many other awards in the last four years Alfred's Brewery's WPA (Winchester Pale Ale) won gold at the recent Winchester Real Ale and Cider Festival of 2016.
Chesil Theatre's production of Robin Hood is in rehearsal for their performances in gardens of Wolvesey Palace in July. Steve and Isabelle Haigh, members of the Chesil, met when they appeared in the same play, A Man for all Seasons in April 1999. Steve had been recruited (from the Black Boy!) to appear as one of the non-speaking troupe of players in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead in 1996. A year later he was cast as Romeo for which he had to learn hundreds of lines - and sword fighting. Many other roles followed for them both, only appearing together once more on stage in “Allo Allo” in 2004.
They were married in 2004 with tiny models of their Man for all Seasons characters on the top tier of their wedding cake. "We were actively involved with the Chesil until the arrival of our children, Amélie and Ellis," said Isabelle. "Setting up the Brewery with a couple of young children in tow took much time and energy. We were thrilled when Chesil Theatre Bar became one of our first customers, as it is a place that holds fantastic memories for us."
Now that the children are older and the Brewery well established Isabelle is able to get back on stage playing the scheming wife of Gilbert with the White Hand in Robin Hood.
When Robin, Will Scarlet, Little John, Allan-a-dale and Friar Tuck quaff their ale in performance it has to be apple juice, but they are sure to enjoy the real Saxon Bronze after the performances 12-16 July.
Photo Caption Steve Haigh gets ready for the thirsty Merry Men
alfred's brewery.co.uk
Saxon Bronze is made by Alfred's Brewery in Winnall founded by husband and wife Steve and Isabelle Haigh in 2012. Amongst many other awards in the last four years Alfred's Brewery's WPA (Winchester Pale Ale) won gold at the recent Winchester Real Ale and Cider Festival of 2016.
Chesil Theatre's production of Robin Hood is in rehearsal for their performances in gardens of Wolvesey Palace in July. Steve and Isabelle Haigh, members of the Chesil, met when they appeared in the same play, A Man for all Seasons in April 1999. Steve had been recruited (from the Black Boy!) to appear as one of the non-speaking troupe of players in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead in 1996. A year later he was cast as Romeo for which he had to learn hundreds of lines - and sword fighting. Many other roles followed for them both, only appearing together once more on stage in “Allo Allo” in 2004.
They were married in 2004 with tiny models of their Man for all Seasons characters on the top tier of their wedding cake. "We were actively involved with the Chesil until the arrival of our children, Amélie and Ellis," said Isabelle. "Setting up the Brewery with a couple of young children in tow took much time and energy. We were thrilled when Chesil Theatre Bar became one of our first customers, as it is a place that holds fantastic memories for us."
Now that the children are older and the Brewery well established Isabelle is able to get back on stage playing the scheming wife of Gilbert with the White Hand in Robin Hood.
When Robin, Will Scarlet, Little John, Allan-a-dale and Friar Tuck quaff their ale in performance it has to be apple juice, but they are sure to enjoy the real Saxon Bronze after the performances 12-16 July.
Photo Caption Steve Haigh gets ready for the thirsty Merry Men
alfred's brewery.co.uk
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