Shindig Spring 2007 Tour

Live Arts on your Doorstep! - As always there was a great range of tours in Wychavon throughout the Spring. Take a look at the shows that were shown and some of the comments left.

Lempen Puppet Theatre Company - The Shapechanger

The Shapechanger is an adventure story about a playful boy. No ordinary boy - Smudge can change his shape! He becomes a raging lion when he is angry, a tiny mouse when he is scared and a multitude of other forms depending on how he is feeling. And now he must go in search of his lost father, a shpechanger himself, who has gone missing  in the form of a bird.
This is a story told with a mixture of tabletop and shadow puppets, acting and tango dancing and a lot of imagination.
Performed in a full thetrical set with the use of original music and subtle lighting effects this is a highly entertaining and wildly imaginative show not to be missed.

For families incl. children 5+

Nancy Viera - In Concert

Nancys career has seen her touring and recording with some of the greatest names in Cape Verdian music. Her UK shows will feature material from her new album 'Sagred' which provides fresh interpretations of classic Cape Verde sounds but spiced with rhythms new to UK audiences. Featuring nine new compositions and one folk song of unknown origin it explores many of the lesser known roots of Cape Verde's musical heritage. Although undoubtedly African music, the melting pot of influences abounds - Portuguese, Brazilian and Jazz - spiced with rhythms new to UK audiences. Brilliant, exciting music!

Family Friendly Show - all welcome

Jim Payne & Fergus O'Byrne - Wave over Wave -

A celebration of Newfoundland Culture

Newfoundland has strong historical, social and musical connections with Ireland, England and Scotland. The European settlers brought songs and stories with them and many customs and dialects are still prevalent today.music, songs, stories and dances were a primary source of entertainment for the hardworking living in in the isolated bays and coves that make up the coastline of the province. This isolation has helped the culure to develop its own unique identity.
For many years Jim and Fergus have toured throughout the world, taking every opportunity to access people in schools, village halls, libraries and festivals to bring them a little piece of their unique province.
Through the use of songs, dramatised stories, music and dance the presentation provides an introduction to the rich cultural heritage of the most easterley province in Canada. The workshop programme encourages everyone to participate by singing, clapping along, performing actions, moving to the beat, and if the spirit moves them, trying a traditional step or two.

For families incl. children 8+

Forest Forge Theatre Company - The Gamekeeper

Frank lives alone in a run down cottage in the depths of the forest, but his solitude is shattered when he finds a runaway hiding in his old tin bath.
Comedy and strong emotion contend for supremacy in this sizzling new play.

Families incl. children 14+

Graham Padden - Shot Actress - Full Story! -

Scandal....rumour....murder?

First published in 1939, appears at first to be a whodunnit, but turns out to be a compassionate insight into the pain of a lonely man. Bate's observations about press intrusion into private sorrow and calamity remain reasonant today. Shot Actress - Full Story! is a meticulously produced mini-drama: alone in his shop, a watchmaker relives the time when he found his neighbour dead in her bathroom, and the devastating consequences that followed.

Suitable for age 15+

Network of Stuff - The Unsinkable Clerk

The Unsinkable Clerk is a modern fable - essential for anyone who has ever felt stuck, anyone who has ever had the desire to get up, open the door, and run off up the road to a future they know nothing about....
Meet The Unsinkable Clerk - Mr Plumley, a fine example of middle England. Mr Plumley is an ordinary man; he eats ordinary toast, goes to work to his ordinary job and comes back to his ordinary house. Every day is the same.......But one day, on his ordinary journey to work he is, quite literally, washed away. Swallowed into the belly of a whale, he meets a man who claims to be Jonah and together they have all kinds of adventures trying to get back to the lives they once knew....befire they realise that is maybe not what they want after all.
With a host of charaters, places and action the company have created an absurd poetic adventure.

Suitable for families with children 12+

Opera on the Run - Spaghetti Opera

Spaghetti Opera is the story of two singing waiters and their bumpy ride through the world of Opera, restaurants and women. When one of the waiters, Roger Bravado, finally opens his own Opera cafe he unwittngly employs the help of Tony Cannelloni, the local mafia. Realising his error Roger plans his escape from the clutches of Tony by enlisting the help from his pretty young waitress, who serves up a lethal cocktail of rude desserts. This wonderful mixture of opera favourites set to a tale of love, betrayal and cuisine will delight opera buffs and non opera goers alike.
This is when Hells Kitchen meets Opera in an embrace of gastronomy and song!

Suitable for families with children 12+

Ratatat Theatre Company - September in the Rain

John Godber's early classic, an avowdely nostalgic trawl through the 30 years of Northern couple Jack and Liz's marriage as crystallised by their annual week's holiday in Blackpool. Through richly comic physical theatre and hoary old jokes which still command helpless laughter, they confront all that the Lancashire resort has to offer - the donkeys, the Tower, the Big Dipper, the waxworks and the amateur dramatics - bickering and barking their rough love for each other. Every tiff, they swear, marks the point of no return. Then they return.
Funny, moving, and remarkably life affirming.

Suitable for families with children 12+

Corrina Hewat - Solo Songs and Tunes

Corrina will entrance audiences with an evening of songs and tunes from the Scottish tradition, classical jazz; she's witty, charming, warm and devastatingly talented.
Over the last twelve years, singer and harpist Corrina Hewat has emerged as one of the most distinctive, original and versatile artists on the contemporary Scottish scene. Corrina's combined talents as a vocalist, instrumentalist, composer and arranger have won  steadily increasing acclaim among critics, fellow musicians and audiences.

Suitable for all ages young or old

Anton Anderle - The Smallest Circus in the World (plus Don Juan)

A Delightful and traditional marionattes show presenting a series of circus acts - including balancing, juggling, tightrope and uni-cycling - performed with much humour and gentle charm to live music.
Presented in English, except for a very short (10 min) performance of Don Juan, which although performed in Slovakian is very visual and easy to follow.
The show will be followed by a chance to meet the performer and his puppets.

Suitable for families incl. children 5+

Further Information

If you have any further questions or would like to become a Shindig promoter please contact Sue Roberts, Arts Service on 01544 327877 Email sueartserv@kc.co.uk