“CAN I play the part of the dragon?” was just one of the excited responses when The Berry Theatre launched its imaginative spring schools’ project The Legends of Sir Bevis to a packed auditorium of primary school children.

The Legends of Sir Bevis will see Year 5 pupils from Freegrounds Junior School in Hedge End and Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh work with emerging writer Matt Beames and The Berry Theatre’s Drama Education Team to bring to life the legendary figure of Sir Bevis of Southampton and his 30-ft giant squire, Ascupart.

The project is being supported by the national Agincourt 600 Commemorative Fund and forms part of Road To Agincourt, the Hedge End theatre’s two-year programme commemorating the Battle of Agincourt, Henry V’s journey to war, and exploring the events that happened within Hampshire at that time and its legacy.

To get the ball rolling 90 Year 5 students from Freegrounds Junior School were invited to the theatre to watch a short performance about Sir Bevis by the Drama Education Team, involving fire-breathing and sword play. The students were also given a tour of the premises, with a talk from specialists and a view into backstage areas including the tech box.

Dating back to the 13th century the ancient tales of Sir Bevis and Ascupart were believed to be a firm favourite of Henry V, who owned many tapestries depicting Sir Bevis’ battles with fearsome dragons and giant wild boar and the turbulent romance with his wife, Josian.

Southampton writer Matt has taken inspiration from the medieval fables to create The Legends of Sir Bevis, a tale of battle, bravery, honour, and love in a time of war, that will be performed by the two sets of primary school children at The Berry Theatre on March 10.

Tickets from theberrytheatre.co.uk or 023 8065 2333.