The role of “Building E” from Yeavering is rather obscure. Its function as a theatre for performing actors seems excluded by the size of the stage. Its available space indicates that only one person or two could perform in front of the audience. This would still allow for orations, recitations, and musical performances. It cannot be excluded that the queen or king themselves and other members of the community delivered speeches from this building, located just in front of the monumental hall. In any case, there is little doubt that the grandstand was a performative space.
On these premises, a (re)construction of the grandstand from Yeavering was built in our Gyrwe’s farm during the early 2010s. The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and directed by David Chapman (Ancient Arts Ltd) and John Ward (Brantones Ltd). Due to funding constraints, the (re)construction was not strictly experimental. Indeed, the project aimed at creating a performative space for the local Museum similar in size and shape to the structure excavated at Yeavering, but the materials, layout on site and construction techniques do not reflect the archaeological record.
The structure at Gyrwe reproduces the area that interpreted by Hope-Taylor as the first phase of the grandstand. Built on an artificial slope, it is constituted by gabions filled with stones that were covered with plywood, oak, and larch. Wattle and daub were simulated, and a rectangular stage was built in front of the audience.
