The ruins of Reading Abbey will serve as the stage for an independent theater company's production of Henry I.
In December, Arts Council England granted Rabble Theatre a grant of £100,000 to stage the play.
The abbey was established in 1121 by King Henry, whose body is thought to be buried beneath the ruins.
Following preview performances, the official opening and press night were scheduled for 19:30 BST, with a runtime of until July 1.
The theater's supporter Kate Winslet praised the group for staging their ambitious production "directly above his burial site," calling it "phenomenal.".
As a proud Reading native, the actress continued, "I'm thrilled that theater of such a high caliber, that is both diverse and inclusive, is coming to my community-rich home town this summer.".
The play, which the theater has characterized as a tale of history, emotion, conflict, and injustice, centers on the undervalued women in the king's life.
According to the theater company, it was "part of Rabble's larger vision to champion forgotten women of history.".
Alongside the play, the theater also hosted its first Finding Reading Festival, a community outreach initiative with area schools, organizations, and community groups.
The performance then travels to Winchester Great Hall between July 12 and July 15, and St. Paul's Church in Convent Garden, London, between July 20 and July 22.
