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Special Events Artists List 2008 |
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| Introduction to Special Events |
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"The Navvies Wife"
THE NAVVIES WIFE
"It would be an exaggeration to say that ‘the Irish navvies built Britain’. Most navvies were, in fact, English. The Irish, however, were a very large minority, and it is certain that the Britain we know could not and would not have been built without them. But the show is also about the hard and uncertain lives of the women who moved with their men from camp to camp, bought their poor provisions with company scrip (‘truck’) at the ‘Tommy Shop’ (company store), whence ‘Tommy Rot’, who were married, or not, widowed on a regular basis, abandoned, abused but endlessly resiliant
The Navvy’s Wife gives voice to the men, and to the women, whose lives were shaped by the great drive to carve out Britain’s canals, railways and roads. Bonds forged by kinship, friendship, love and economic necessity helped them all survive the brutal realities of the hard, itinerant life the men were drawn to. The women were caught up in the migration of able-bodied men to the vast scars of construction that have now softened into our landscape. What we know of the men can be traced in the newspapers of the day telling of the ‘lawless Irish, truculent Scottish and belligerent English’ navvies. Of the mothers, lovers, wives and widows the newspapers had little to say; of their longings, sorrows, hopes and joys they said nothing, nothing at all" Mick Ryan
THE COMPANY
In order of appearance
MICK RYAN:
As one of the Folk scene’s most renowned and popular performers, Mick’s powerful and sensitive singing has received numerous accolades. He is also the originator and composer of several Folk dramas including the highly acclaimed Tolpuddle Man (with Graham Moore), A Day’s Work, The Voyage, and Tanks for the Memory. His latest, The Navvy’s Wife, reiterates his versatility and artistry as a songwriter, performer and director.
JACKIE OATES:
Nominated for the Horizon Award at the BBC Folk Awards 2008, Jackie brings her lovely voice and virtuoso fiddle playing to The Navvy’s Wife. Her most recent album The Violet Hour, produced by Phil Beer, is described by The Daily Telegraph as ‘irresistibly beguiling.’
JUDY DUNLOP:
One of the finest female singers on the folk circuit, Judy has recorded and performed with members of Fairport Convention, Show of Hands and The Albion Band. She has just released a new album with Steve Mars; she also performs in a duo with Jon Scaife. Her beautifully stylish and subtle singing can be heard in Ashley Hutchings' Lark Rise to Candleford Band.
HEATHER BRADFORD:
Currently performing with the folk-jazz quartet Albatross Pie, and acoustic-folk band No Reported Incidents, Heather has sung in duos with guitarist and singer-songwriter Julian Longden, and with singer and raconteuse Stephie Cox. She was a member of the acclaimed harmony trio HenParty with Sarah Morgan and the late Alison Muir.
PAUL DOWNES:
Paul is one of the most respected musicians on the acoustic music scene today. He prefers to be known as a singer of songs rather than a guitar technician; it cannot be denied, though, that his playing is sublime. He has worked with Phil Beer, The Arizona Smoke Revue and Pete Seeger. Currently he performs with The Joyce Gang and in a duo with Mick Ryan.
ROGER WATSON:
Accomplished melodeon and concertina player, singer, and boundary-breaking Folk Development specialist, Roger has pioneered the fusion of English traditional music with that of other cultures. He founded the experimental and culturally dynamic Boka Halat with Musa Mboob and has performed at countless festivals including WOMAD. He has also contributed to the World On Your Street Global Music Initiative in collaboration with BBC Radio 3.
| | | Artist Details | Songs of Trial & Triumph
A new show about the formidable tract of traditional ballads that are the Child collection
Although they can be epic and intense, Brian Peters presentation of some of the best Child Ballads balances the death and disaster with moments of humour and more than a few happy endings!
" Brian peters plunges deep into the ancient songs, finds their power, mystery, evil, drollery and courage, and brings them to us fresh"
Cornell University Folksong Society. | Website | Email | Artist Details | TableTop Circus
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