For Kenneth Branagh's notable theatrical debut for the opening of the 1984 Stratford season Adrian Noble asked Howard to write a 'film score for theatre', with distinct sounds portraying peace and war. For peace Howard wrote harp variations on the folk-like theme he set to 'Sword and shield', to be played on-stage, and for war a ferocious brass and percussion line-up including ship's chains and 20' thunder sheet. He also set 'Let us sip, and let it slip' and the 'Non Nobis Domine' for the cast to sing.