— about the production
A Modern Reimagining of
The Canterbury Tales
Eight tales. Pilgrims on the road. Ancient wisdom for a modern world.
The Canterbury Trails breathes new life into Chaucer’s immortal work – reimagined for our times, told through acting, music, and dance, and set against the timeless backdrop of the great pilgrimage to Canterbury.
Written in rhyming verse that echoes the original, and led by the irrepressible host Harry Bailey, this world-premiere production is performed by the parishioners of St Thomas of Canterbury and celebrates 150 remarkable years of community and faith.
8
Original Tales
75 mins
Running Time
2
Performances Only
200
Seats Per Show
— the charactors
Ancient Pilgrims.
Modern Lives.
The Canterbury Trails brings together a cast of charactors who reflect Chaucer’s medieval pilgrims, from the familiar and timeless priest and nun to a contemporary drug dealer and food bank worker. All walk the same road. All carry the same human questions.
Performed by the parishioners and community of St Thomas of Canterbury.
All proceeds support the reordering of the National Shrine
— creative team
The Artists Behind
The Canterbury Trails
written & directed by
David Bintley
David Bintley is a British choreographer and former ballet director who joined Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet in 1976, later led Birmingham Royal Ballet for 24 years, and was knighted in 2020.
Original Music by
Colin Towns
Colin Towns is a prolific European composer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and producer whose work spans film, television, theatre, jazz, classical music and sound design.
Performed by
The Parish of St Thomas of Canterbury
A community cast of actors, singers, and dancers drawn from the parish – amateur in name, extraordinary in spirit.
— book tickets
Join the
Pilgrimage
St Thomas of Canterbury RC Church, 59 Burgate, Canterbury, ct1 2hj
75 mins · no interval
friday evening
15 May 2026
Doors open 7:00pm · Performance 7:30pm
75 mins · no interval
saturday matinée
16 May 2026
Doors open 2:00pm · Performance 2:30pm
£20
Standard Admission
£15
Restricted View
£10
Restricted View
Suitable for ages 10 and above
Tickets can be bought after all Sunday Masses from 12th April to 26th April only, on 27th April they will go online.
Tickets will also be available at St Thomas’s Shop during opening hours
