Dates for your diary
The Remains of the Dayby Kazuo Ishiguro
(adapted for the stage by Barney Norris) Open Space Theatre Stevens, a faithful butler, follows a life of unquestioning loyalty to his English aristocrat employer who, it seems, is being manipulated by Germany’s Nazi Party in the two decades following the First World War. But, as the truth finally emerges, will Stevens come to regret a failure to share his life with the one woman with whom he might have had a fulfilling and loving relationship? This beautifully structured play is based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s Booker Prize winning novel which was made into an award-winning film starring Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins. Spanning the period from the 1920s to the 1950s it follows Stevens on a journey of self-discovery to the West Country, where the life of his former colleague, Miss Kenton, appears to be drowning in unhappiness. 120 minutes, including interval Wednesday 15th May, 7.30pm Tickets £12 Online sales via www.wegottickets.com/event/610342/ |
"...stunning harmonies that were so good it reminded me of seeing Gillian Welch and David Rawlings” No Depression
"It is so rare an opening act rival the main performance but that is exactly what the seamless harmony singing Black Feathers achieved” Jumpin ’Hot Club "The pure emotion and subtle timing of their song delivery is as evident as the enjoyment radiating from their onstage chemistry” 3 Chords and the Truth |
The Black FeathersIf you were of the belief that The Black Feathers are named because of their love of dark humour and the smooth blending of harmony, you’d be wrong.
If you were told that the name is more concerned with recognition of their gentle souls, a predilection for dark clothing and the sonic tumult of the plethora of (mainly US) progressive-metal bands doing mega-business around the world in the 1990s and beyond, you might doubt those who said so, but they would be accurate. You’d be wrong as to the name, BUT you would be utterly correct that the sonic architecture of their lyrics and musical composition takes its imperious scope from a love of blended vocal harmony and idiosyncratic guitar shapes. Americana to some, folk to others, The Black Feathers have those qualities in expansive quantity. Sian Chandler’s soaring, dramatic, melodious but powerful voice is a perfect counterpoint to Ray Hughes ’piquant vocals and his sparkling and occasionally spicy guitar motifs. This is a duo who love what they play and play what they love with panache, humour, delight and rather a lot of commentary on the downside of being a human. Seeing and hearing them will leave you with a smile on your face and a glowing heart of delight. You might not think that is possible when you’ve just spent some time hearing the themes of the songs they lay before an audience but it is testament to their sunny dispositions, infectious laughter and amused self-deprecation that you can only come away from a gig feeling a whole heap better about yourself and life. Friday 17th May, 7.30pm Tickets £15 Online sales via www.wegottickets.com/event/606651/ |
East Anglian Traditional Music Trust
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Photo credit: Ben Potton
Band: Tania Buisse - bodhrán Julien Cartonnet - French bagpipes & tenor banjo Andy Cutting - diatonic accordion & melodeon James Delarre - violin & viola Barn Stradling - acoustic bass guitar |
Topette!!Topette!! 10th Anniversary Tour.
In January 2014, Barn Stradling invited his Blowzabella bandmate Andy Cutting, East Anglian fiddler James Delarre and two French musical friends, Tania Buisse and Julien Cartonnet to his home in Bristol, to see what would happen. After three days of playing music, eating, drinking and a great deal of laughter, a new band called Topette!! happened... In 2024, Topette!! are releasing their fourth album, ON - Live at The Jam Jar. Recorded on a warm night last June, the album features exuberant renditions of favourite tracks from their three studio albums, C’est le Pompon (2017), Rhododendron (2019) and Bourdon (2022). ON is a brilliant recording, full of atmosphere and the sounds of happy dancers, blending with the music. The band will be recreating this celebratory atmosphere, every night of their 10th Anniversary UK Tour, so don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience what Topette!! is all about. The “Balfolk” style of dancing is easy to pick up, very relaxed and a lot of fun, but if you don’t fancy dancing, just sit and enjoy the top quality musicianship from this unique quintet. Thursday 20th June, 7.30pm Tickets £17 Online sales via www.wegottickets.com/event/603680/ |
‘Gorgeous stuff’ – BBC Radio 3
‘Compelling, exciting and utterly original’ – Phil Beer (Show of Hands) ‘Beautiful’ – Songlines ‘Free-flowing, ambitious and fiercely creative’. The Strad |
The Ciderhouse RebellionProfound and eloquent, epic, haunting and dramatic, Masters of improvisation The Ciderhouse Rebellion sees virtuoso musicians Adam Summerhayes and Murray Grainger combine to produce incredible spontaneous tapestries of sound.
The pair specialise in creating music in the moment, based on traditional tunes or their own compositions – often springing from a single note, key, time signature or emotion. It’s this unusually improvisatory focus that is uniquely magical. Their quest is to create music with no conscious thought between conception and playing – always searching for the unexpected and the possibility to create a deep sonic narrative that transports the audience. Both Adam (violin) and Murray (accordion) are recognised virtuoso musicians in their own right, touring the world as professional artists. Although the pair only started working together in 2020, they have already released 4 celebrated albums, won Arts Council support, been featured on Folk on Foot, scored a BBC Radio 4 play and played significant festivals across the UK and Europe. Friday 27th September, 7.30pm Tickets £14 Online sales via www.wegottickets.com/event/612573 |
Jack RutterYorkshire folk singer Jack Rutter has established himself as one of the standout voices of the folk, roots and acoustic music scene in recent years.
A hugely engaging stage presence, his soaring vocal, powerhouse guitar and bouzouki playing and masterful arrangements of traditional songs and contemporary covers have enthralled audiences from the largest festival main stages to the most intimate folk clubs. Following on from his critically acclaimed second album Gold of Scar & Shale - 2022 saw the release of a brand new EP, with autumn 2023 bringing the successor to Gold of Scar & Shale in the form of a new album of traditional songs. Friday 18th October 2024, 7.30pm Tickets £14 Online sales via www.wegottickets.com/event/597168 |
‘Simply Brilliant’
The Sunday Express ‘Savagely perceptive lyrics, ear catching vocals & melodies to die for’ Louder Than War |
MegsonFour times nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and double winners of the Spiral Earth Awards MEGSON create a truly unique brand of folk music. Combining an infectious mix of heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and driving
rhythmic guitars, MEGSON have gained a reputation not only for their arresting & intelligent songwriting, but also for their exquisite musicianship and northern humour. Comprising Debs Hanna (Vocals, Whistle, Piano Accordion) and Stu Hanna (Guitar, Mandola, Banjo) MEGSON have been described as as “the most original duo on the British folk scene” by THE GUARDIAN and as FROOTS Magazine puts it ‘if you don’t like the music here then you have a problem’. Liking to keep busy, MEGSON have recorded thirteen studio albums across their twenty year career gaining four & five star reviews from THE GUARDIAN, MOJO, THE TELEGRAPH, UNCUT, THE FINANCIAL TIMES whilst THE OBSERVER pronounced them ‘A force in the folk revival’. Even lockdown 2020 couldn’t hold them back as they performed a hugely popular series of live stream concerts to their growing army of followers. And during all this time, Stu even managed to be involved with other artists producing & recording award winning music for SHOW OF HANDS, ODETTE MITCHEL, LUCY WARD, FAUSTUS & THE YOUNG'UNS. Now they are back doing what they do best, on the road promoting a brand new studio album WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO SAY. Catch them if you can... Friday 8th November, 7.30pm Tickets £16 Online sales via www.wegottickets.com/event/603844/ |
“When you have 2000 people singing along, you’re doing something right.” - Great British Folk Festival
“There’s something special about the way he writes and delivers a song” - Townes Van Zandt ‘assured a place in the pantheon of great folk songwriters’ – The Living Tradition ‘classic, with echoes of early Dylan, Tom Paxton and Leonard Cohen’ – The Guardian |
Reg MeurossAward-winning Reg Meuross was introduced onto the stage of the Albert Hall by Mike Harding as ‘one of this country’s finest’ and is a true modern troubadour, representing contemporary English folk writing at its best. Captivating audiences with his beautiful tenor voice, and with breadth and depth of material that is unparalleled, Reg has toured extensively for decades across the UK, Europe, North America and the Antipodes.
Masterfully accompanying himself on his ‘44 Martin six-string guitar, harmonica, tenor guitar, banjo and dulcimer, witnessing a Reg Meuross performance is to experience a journey into the heart, soul and songs of one of England’s most celebrated writers. Stories that need to be told; struggles that need to be known; injustice that needs to be uncovered; social conscience that needs to be celebrated – his music has an unrivalled power to reach and move the listener. After 15 critically-acclaimed albums, Reg continues to prove how highly relevant his songs are, whilst reaching new audiences with consistently spellbinding performances. Reg is currently touring with song cycle Stolen From God, focusing on the transatlantic slave trade – uncovering its’ hidden history from a South West England perspective. Reg has also recorded Fire & Dust, due for release Autumn 2024, a song cycle that delves into the life story of Woody Guthrie. A journey into the heart and soul of one of America’s finest folk musicians. Highlighting racism, bigotry, corruption and inequality. Saturday 16th November, 7.30pm Tickets £14 Online sales via www.wegottickets.com/event/612575 |
Drama is a crucial part of the programme of events and includes performances by professional companies. We are also delighted to host plays by local societies and are keen to promote events by students in local schools and by pupils of local music teachers.
Please call 01379 384505 if you would like to discuss Wingfield Barns hosting your community group performance.
Please call 01379 384505 if you would like to discuss Wingfield Barns hosting your community group performance.
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The smaller print:
Unless otherwise credited, content © Wingfield Barns CIC 2009-2023. Unless otherwise credited, photographs © WBCIC and Mike Allmey. All content is published in good faith. Spotted an error? There are no prizes, but please let Webslave know (Webslave doesn't get to meet real people very often). It'll be corrected or removed as appropriate. |