Audio experience for 1000-year-old castle

This October half term, Corfe Castle, a royal castle shaped by warfare and cared for by the National Trust, will be host to two ‘sound pools’ within the castle walls.

The theatrical audio experience takes you on a journey around the castle bringing to life some of the characters in Corfe Castle’s history that weren’t so favourable.

Throughout history Corfe Castle has seen many treacherous and wicked residents, from the wicked King John to the deceitful Colonel Pitman, and this history has shaped the autumn family trail and the audio experience which accompanies it.

This collaboration has come together through a working partnership with a group of talented artists, Charles Harrison, Charlie Perks, Phil Rankin and the National Trust.

'For this project our focus has been on audio and we’ve been creating audio tracks inspired by Corfe Castle’s autumn trail’ explained Charles Harrison, sound-designer, composer and musician. ‘Each point of the autumn trail conjures a story and inspires a sound world related to that narrative. The creative side of things for us is how we have been able to interpret these stories using only sound For example: the murder of Edward the Martyr might bring an anonymous assassin into the scene; the ‘turncoat’ parliamentarians who initiated Corfe’s demise in 1646 suggests battle, drama, and chaos; and the 22 knights locked away by King John to perish in the Obliette might evoke pain, evil, and worry!’

The family-friendly audio will bring members of the public closer to the actions of the past. As you walk through the historic grounds, you may hear the sounds of battle and war drums, or the distant cry of a prisoner, or perhaps even the gentler sound of the autumn landscape as a peasant walks by the water.

'It was important to me that each piece of audio told a story much in the way that Charles’ original composition did. This time however, I wanted to use more dramatic vocals and sound effects to convey the often dark and tumultuous history of the Castle’ Charlie Perks, writer, actor, voice over, and creative concept strategist said.

'Each track reflects a particular event in the Castle’s history and I hope visitors will have fun listening to and identifying what event each track represents; from tortured and wailing prisoners incarcerated by King John in the dungeon, to orders being barked by the Roundhead soldiers in the explosive civil war battle and defiance of Mary Bankes'

Phil Rankin, filmmaker, actor, voice over, director, animator and artist/VFX artist said ‘I’ve always loved playing around with audio and doing sound design for my own small films. The opportunity to interpret what history would sound like is exciting and it is a challenge to creatively convey how the stories might have played out and what feeling it brings. Imagining the swift assassination of Edward the Martyr from his point of view gives a sense of how suddenly everything can end as he was dragged away by his frightened horse drawing his final breath.’

This October half term, can also see the castle dressed in seasonal natural decorations, seek and discover with the castle quest experience. All activities and experiences will be included in regular admission. Tickets for entry should be booked to avoid disappointment by visiting www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle.