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News September 4 2010
More than forty years since he last played in the Scunthorpe area, Iain Matthews, returns to North Lincolnshire to play Ropery Hall in Barton upon Humber on Sunday, September 12. Iain is doing a short run of UK dates, playing in intimate venues, to support the release of the first Matthews Southern Comfort album in four decades. Iain, who was a founding member of Fairport Convention and Matthews Southern Comfort before pursuing a solo career, recalls that it as 42 years ago when he last appeared at the Scunthorpe Baths and at that time he had one album and a few singles under his belt. Now, 75 albums later, he is returning to the mainstream with a new album, Kind of New, by one of his previous incarnations, Matthews Southern Comfort, which is attracting lavish critical praise and attention and is due for public release shortly. “It is because of the large media interest in the album that we have put this short run of dates in at short order,” he said. “I am delighted to be coming ‘home’ and playing an intimate show at Ropery Hall,” he said. And Liz Bennet of Ropewalk Events added: “Our autumn programme hasn’t officially started yet but when I heard that there was the possibility that Iain would play Ropery Hall I was absolutely delighted.” Now based in Holland Iain has been busier than ever and late last year released a revolutionary new album, Joy Mining, with Egbert Derix’s The Searing Quartet. Tickets for Iain’s concert cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door and can be booked by calling in at The Ropewalk, ringing 01652 660380 or going to www.roperyhall.co.uk The concert starts at 7.30pm and the support act is Circus Envy, an alternative folk band from Hull, who featured in The Symphony for Yorkshire, broadcast on the BBC to celebrate 25 years of Yorkshire Day. September 3 2010
A star of the West End, theatre and film, Linda Marlowe, is bringing her one-woman show based on the poetry of the first female Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, to Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall. The World’s Wife, which achieved critical acclaim following its premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, examined the stories of the great women behind some of history’s greatest man, both real and imagined. Adapted from a selection of Carol Ann Duffy’s poems, the The World's Wife examines the stories of the great women behind some of history's greatest men, both real and imagined. “The poems are written as monologues in the first person and they were crying out to be done in the theatre,” explained Linda who is perhaps best known for her collaborations with the actor, director and writer, Steven Berkoff. The poems are based on the lives of the wives of famous people through history but there are also fictitious renderings such as Queen Kong. There are also poems about the Kray sisters, Myra Hindley and various mythical Greek figures like Mrs Midas. By her own admission there is a feminist aspect to The World’s Wife but Linda is quick to point out it doesn’t come over as heavy feminism on stage. “Carol Ann Duffy has a wonderful ability to, with humour, look at the idea that women haven’t had a voice through history but if they had of, this is how they would have reacted to their situation,” continued Linda. The show is on Thursday, September 16, and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door. Students are able to buy their tickets at the special price of £5. August 10 2010 Milton Jones Sold Out
More than two months before he is to appear at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall, all tickets to see award winning comedian Milton Jones have been snapped up. Ropewalk Events Director Liz Bennet has been amazed at the demand for tickets to see Jones who is a past Perrier Best Newcomer and Nominee as well as a Sony Award winner for his radio show, The Very World of Milton Jones. “Even before our Autumn programme for Ropery Hall was published we were receiving daily requests for tickets for those who had spotted his appearance online,” she said. “It really has been amazing – we have made sales as far afield as Rotherham and Newcastle as well as more locally,” Liz continued. Other events which are selling well include An Audience with Jonathan Miller on Saturday, October 23, and the play, The World’s Wife which takes place on Thursday, September 16. The production was inspired by the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy and is performed by Linda Marlowe and had a hugely successful Edinburgh premiere. “The World’s Wife has proved to be particularly popular with students especially as for this event they can see a quality production which has regularly attracted full houses during its tour of the United Kingdom for just £5. August 12 2010 Last chance to see Milton Jones
Only a handful of tickets remain unsold for the October performance at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall of award winning comedian, Milton Jones. Milton, who is currently on a four month tour of the country with his show “Out and About” arrives at the Maltkiln Road venue at the end of three nights of top class entertainment also featuring Robin Ince and Sir Jonathan Miller. “It really has been amazing the number of people who are prepared to travel long distances to see Milton particularly as they have been unable to catch him nearer to home,” said Ropewalk Events director Liz Bennet. “It is not surprising there has been such a demand for tickets particularly as he is a former Perrier Best Newcomer and Nominee as well as a Sony Award winner for his radio show, The Very world of Milton Jones,” she continued. Milton, whose style of humour is based on mostly one-liners involving puns, has had various shows on BBC Radio 4 and regularly tours the country. Milton is appearing at Ropery Hall on Sunday October 24 and before that there is Robin Ince’s Bad Book Club on Friday, October 22, and An Audience with Jonathan Miller the following evening. Tickets for Milton and Robin cost £10 in advance with tickets for Jonathan Miller costing £15. If you are quick enough tickets for all three performances can be purchased at a special offer price of £30. Full details of the Autumn Programme and how to buy tickets are now available on www.roperyhall.co.uk July 15 2010
An Audience with Jonathan Miller is just one of the highlights of the new Autumn season at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall. For this season, now in its fourth year, the Ropewalk Events team has placed an emphasis on theatre with a literature bias as well as live music nights, comedy and film in conjunction with J-Night and mtm promotions. As well as Sir Jonathan Miller’s appearance on the Ropery Hall stage on Saturday, October 23, Linda Marlow will be performing The World’s Wife, based on the work of Carol Ann Duffy in mid-September and Gabrielle Drake will be portraying the Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell in Dear Scherehezade in early October. North Country Theatre return with their version of Lorca’s famous Spanish tale of feuding families with A Blood Wedding in Wensleydale and Royal Shakespeare Company actor Gerard Logan brings his astonishing solo performance of Shakespeare’s brilliant, brutal narrative poem, The Rape of Lucrece, to Ropery Hall. “We also have a night to look forward to with the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Comedy and Robin Ince and Milton Jones performing either side of Sir Jonathan Miller,” said Liz Bennet, Ropewalk Events Director. “The season will also have jazz nights with Esther Miller and Eduardo Niebla, performances by Angie Palmer, Nick Harper, Chris Difford and a seasonal special with St Agnes Fountain performing at the beginning of December,” she continued. “Snake Davis and The Suspicions will be bringing the season, and 2010, to a close with a standing gig while every Thursday from September 23 until the end of November will be Film Night.” For regular attendees of events at Ropery Hall, the Loyalty Scheme – support nine events and get your 10th ticket free – continues while there are reduced admissions for students on two performances and for those with stamina a weekend ticket for Robin Ince, Jonathan Miller and Milton Jones is available for a special discounted price of £30 – a saving of £5. The entire programme is available to view on www.roperyhall.co.uk and tickets can either be bought online, by telephone on 01652 660380 or in person at The Ropewalk. May 28 2010
Musician and comedian Neil Innes, whose career has included collaborations with such greats as Monty Python, the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, The Beatles and Mick Jagger brings Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall spring programme to a close on Friday, June 4. His work in TV, film, literature and theatre has taken him around the world and after 2007's Bonzo Reunion, 2008's Rutles Reunion and 2009's Python reunion he has gained yet more accolades from the likes of Stephen Fry and Eddie Izzard. “He really is the musical genius behind The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, The Rutles, Grimms, and Monty Pythons Flying Circus and we are delighted he has included Ropery Hall in his current tour,” said mtm live promoter Mark Keable who brings Innes to the Maltkiln Road venue. Innes, with the late Vivian Stanshall, wrote most of the band's songs, including "I'm the Urban Spaceman” for which Innes won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Novel Song in 1968. He also wrote the songs for Monty Python and the Holy Grail and after Python finished its original run on UK television, Innes joined with Python's Eric Idle on the series Rutland Weekend Television. This show spawned The Rutles (the "prefab four"), an affectionate pastiche of the Beatles, in which Innes played the character of Ron Nasty, who was loosely based on John Lennon. After Rutland Weekend Television, Idle relocated to the USA, and Innes went on to make a solo series in 1979 on BBC television, The Innes Book of Records. He has also worked in Children's television and on re-union tours with the Bonzo’s, The Ruttles etc. During the 1980s, Innes delved into children's entertainment and with shows such as Puddle Lane, The Raggy Dolls and composed music for these shows as well as The Riddlers and Tumbledown Farm. Tickets for the show, which begins at 8pm, cost £15 in advance of £17 on the door. More details are available on www.roperyhall.co.uk May 19 2010
Chris Cook just may be the best kept secret in the music business. The Charlotte, North Carolina native has performed around the world for years but he remains relatively unknown except to those lucky enough to have discovered him at one of those performances. Now he is appearing at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall on Friday, May 28. A multi-talented singer, guitarist and songwriter he blends elements of numerous influences into his music with amazing ease while remaining uniquely original. Using his distinctive vocal talents along with his considerable skill as a guitarist he has created an album that takes the listener on a journey that showcases those influences well. However there’s not a steel guitar or fiddle in sight, just an extremely solid rhythm section in Bass, Bob Babbitt and Drums Ed Green who combine with outstanding guitar licks and masterful keyboards Steve King and Keith Urban combining to produce a sound not heard often today. The gig starts at 8pm and tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door. May 5 2010
A German comedian whose aim is to conquer the globe is appearing at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall in his next step towards world domination. Henning Wehn and his compatriot Otto Kuhnle are touching down in Barton as part of a UK wide tour which he hopes will debunk the myth that Germans do not have a sense of humour. “My understanding of humour and comedy is very British, mainly because I’ve never encountered it until I came to the UK,” explained Henning. The tour Abracadabra – German Humour Goes Global comes on the back of three successive Edinburgh Fringe sell-outs as the two Herren march on in their pursuit to put Teutonic jolliness back where it belongs - on top of the world. Adelaide, Melbourne and Edinburgh have already capitulated. “Barton is next, and failure is not an option. Germany above all!” he proclaims. Ropewalk Events’ Liz Bennet said she was delighted to welcome the two Germans to Barton. “I have seen them now several times and they made me laugh so much it hurt,” she said. “I can’t wait to welcome them to Barton.” Henning arrived in this country in 2002 to work for Wycome Wanderers FC and took office as the German Comedy Ambassador to the United Kingdom in October a year later. “This turned out to be not the easiest of jobs because Germans to not allegedly have a sense of humour,” he remarked. Berlin-based Otto Kuhnle on the other hand is a prime example of a versatile German entertainer and actor. He sings, dances, juggles, plays several instruments, and does magic tricks as well as working as an actor. Five years ago on a trip to London he met up with Henning and the rest is history. Since then they have had three successful shows at the Edinburgh Festival - 1000 Years of German Humour (2008), A Beginner’s Guide to German Humour (2007) and Three World Cups and One World Pope (2006) as well as their current show. April 29 2010
Few husband-wife musical duos provide audiences with the complete entertainment package that Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart dish out in a live performance. And music lovers in the Barton upon Humber area will soon be able to hear for themselves when the American duo play Ropery Hall on Thursday, May 6. Armed with clever acoustic guitar interplay, autobiographical songwriting, lovely harmonies, and humorous storytelling this couple captivate your attention from the first moment they are onstage. Based out of Tennessee, Earle and Stuart draw from blues, pop, country, rock, and more in their heartfelt music. “The years of touring the folk/Americana circuit and playing 170 concerts a year have given them a knack for reaching out to the audience in an intimate ‘come in to my living room’ fashion,” said promoter Mark Keable of mtm promotions. Stacey and Mark own their own record label, Gearle Records, and have made eight CDs over the years. Since meeting in 1992 and marrying in late 1993, the duo has toured the USA, Canada, and Europe repeatedly. They left the environment of pursuing a major label deal in Nashville in 1998 to target small intimate venue crowds in theatres, coffeehouses, festivals, clubs, and house concerts. “This has now become their home and they are a recognized fixture on the folk music trail they blaze,” added Mark. Tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door. April 29 2010 Dennis Rollins' Velocity
Award winning jazz trio, Dennis Rollins’ Velocity, is appearing at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall on Saturday, May 8. Well-known on the British and international jazz scene, Dennis is celebrated for his versatility and for the progressive, contemporary edge to the sound of his music. Raised just across the border in South Yorkshire, Dennis cut his teeth with the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association before playing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the legendary all-black jazz group, the Jazz Warriors. Now based back in Doncaster, Dennis has established a reputation as an artist of excellence and was won the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Awards’s Jazz Education Award as well as being nominated for the Jazz Musician of the Year. Other awards have followed thick and fast including being given Honorary Freedom of Doncaster in recognition of his community work as well as his successful musical career. “Not for nothing has Dennis been described as the most exciting British trombonist in decades,” said Liz Bennet of Ropery Hall Events. “We are delighted to welcome him to Barton.” The concert starts at 8pm and tickets cost £12 in advance or £14 on the door. April 22 2010
A former Royal Navy submariner with a gift for telling tales of his life beneath the ocean waves is appearing at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall next month. Eric’s Tales of the Sea will be casting off from the Maltkiln Road venue on Friday, May 7, with the promise of giving his audience an insider’s view into the mysterious world beneath the waves in a Royal Navy nuclear submarine. Eric was a submariner for 17 years and during his hour long show, which was one of the hits of last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, he offers a glimpse into the lives of the men who live and work beneath the waves. “This superb comedy is not just another stand up show but a cross between comedy and theatre – it is unique, riveting, funny and poignant,” said Liz Bennet of Ropewalk Events. “Eric is just an ordinary guy with a great gift for telling a great yarn by recounting a few funny things that happened to him – and they are very, very funny,” she continued. “The audience will find themselves transported to an underwater existence where edgy camaraderie and black humour are the closest of bedfellows.” Eric’s Tales of the Sea is being staged on Friday, May 7, at Ropery Hall starting at 8pm with tickets costing £7 in advance or £9 on the door. April 20 2010
Two artists Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley, who have been bringing their unique sound to audiences across Europe and America for nearly two decades, are appearing at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall on Saturday. (April 24) Known for their soul stirring songs, exhilarating tunes and a love of the craic, Chris on concertina and Denny on guitar and vocals ensure that no two concerts are ever the same. For Chris, Saturday’s concert sees a return to the area where he grew up. His parents’ involvement with Goole Folk Club meant that his home was a regular haunt for passing folk singers and musicians from all over Britain while Denny, from Co Limerick, draws on the inheritance of age-old slides, slow airs, slip jigs and wild reels. The two met on the Hull session scene in the early 1990s where they formed an instant bond, both musically and as friends, and developed a unique and recognisable musical style, releasing their debut duo album Last Night's Fun in 1995. The dynamic duo built on this album name and `Last Night's Fun' the band was born. Forerunners on the folk circuit until 2008, Last Night's Fun released four more albums before Sherburn and Bartley returned to their roots as a duo. Tickets for the show cost £12 in advance or £14 on the door and can be bought through the Ropery Hall website April 7 2010 Empirical brings jazz to Ropery Hall
Empirical, the jazz band described as “the band of the moment” by BBC Radio 3 DJ Jez Nelson, head to Barton upon Humber later this month to entertain at Ropery Hall. The group’s smart post-bop musical style - coupled with their suited and booted sartorial sharpness - has drawn admiring notices on both sides of the Atlantic with their self-titled debut album, released on Courtney Pine’s Destin-E label in 2007, going on to be voted Jazzwise magazine's album of the year, and Mojo magazine’s jazz album of the year. Expertly incorporating elements of classical, African and Cuban musical forms into their original, sophisticated, fresh-sounding jazz, Empirical make a point of not being centred around a specific front line or leader; it is very much a complete band, each member - Nathaniel Facey (alto sax); Lewis Wright (vibes); Tom Farmer (double bass); Shaney Forbes (drums/percussion) - contributing equally, adding their own facets to the overall sound. With the release of their album Out ‘n' In, the much anticipated follow-up to their self-titled debut album that took the jazz world by a storm in 2007 tribute is paid to Eric Dolphy’s musical legacy through nine Dolpy-inspired original compositions and two new arrangements of his work: Hat and Beard and Gazzelloni. In May 2008, Empirical collected the Ensemble of the Year prize at the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards, held at the House of Commons, and organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group which was just the latest in a succession of accolades the band has picked up in its short lifetime. And much like the previous success of their debut album, Out 'n' In was included on several 2009 end-of-year, 'best-of' jazz lists including Mojo Magazine and Jazzwise. “These talented lads are the future of British Jazz and we are delighted, in conjunction with the East Riding’s leading promoter of high quality jazz, J-Nights, that they are appearing at Ropery Hall,” said Ropewalk Events Director, Liz Bennet. March 23 2010 Megson return to Ropery Hall
For the second year running, the award winning folk duo Megson, will be playing at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall. The duo, made up of husband and wife team Stu and Debbie Hanna, will be performing this Friday (March 26) starting at 8pm. The twosome have recently been judged Best Duo by Spiral Earth, the online hub for folk and roots music and were shortlisted for the BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards 2010 in the Duo category. “The nominations, and the Spriral Earth award are well deserved recognition of their wonderful musical chemistry,” said Mark Keable of mtm promotions. “ Stu and Debbie Hanna create the most amazing vocal harmonies which allied with Stu's blistering guitar style means that you have to keep checking the stageas there sounds more than just two voices and one guitar,” he went on. It all began for Megson in 2004 when Stu and Debs, then living in South East London, armed themselves with a selection of original and traditional folk songs and combined their classical and punk backgrounds to start gigging on the London acoustic scene. Since then, Megson have gone from strength to strength, playing up and down the country at festivals, folk clubs, arts centres and acoustic venues. Although their albums have been critically acclaimed, the biggest strength of Megson, is their stunning live performances. The duo have played at numerous folk festivals including Shrewsbury, Sidmouth, Gosport and Fareham, Wimborne and Cambridge. Originally from Teesside, the husband and wife duo met singing in the local Cleveland Youth Choir. At that time, they both had very different music career paths ahead of them. Middlesbrough born and bred Debbie trained to be a classical singer while Billingham born and bred Stu was playing in a pop-punk band run by an American manager who had big ideas for the band. Tickets for the show cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door. March 23 2010 Howard's End
Hull University Professor Valerie Saunders will set the scene for Thursday’s (March 25) screening at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall of the E M Forster masterpiece, Howard’s End, which he wrote in 1910. Prof Saunders is returning to the Maltkiln Road venue to give a brief introductory talk on the book, set in England at the beginning of the 20 th century, which features three social classes, the Victorian capitalists, the Wilcoxes; the enlightened bourgeois, the Schlegels and the workers, the Basts. Prof Saunders, who is Deputy Dean for Research in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, specialises in the period 1830 to 1930 and in particular the novel from Austen to Hardy. The 1992 film, made by Merchant-Ivory, received massive critical acclaim when it was premiered and won three Oscars including Best Actress for Emma Thompson and two BAFTAS and two Evening Standard Awards, again Best Actress for Emma Thompson and Best Film. The evening begins at 7.30pm and admission is just £3. March 10 2010 2010: A Space Oddity
A celebration of space movies will be coming to Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall stage next week when Company Gavin Robertson brings 2010: A Space Oddity to the banks of the Humber. The performance, on Friday, March 19, is the last one of the current tour although it is likely to feature at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. Theatre producer Gavin Robertson and Royal Shakespeare Company and West End veteran Jonathan Bex dreamt up the idea of for the production over lunch during last year’s summer and, according to Gavin, it is intended as light and entertaining enjoyment as well as a celebration of space movies in general. “It’s a show for our times,” said Gavin. “With recession, depression and gloom seemingly close we wanted some light relief and no-nonsense fun.” “We have created a universe on stage in which ladles, whisks and cheese graters become spaceships, fruit and vegetables become planets and four wooden blocks represent everything else from spaceship “bridges” to corridors, transporter room and prison and, of course, the iconic ‘monolith’ itself,” he went on. “2010: A Space Oddity will take us into the world of science fiction, cult movies, and spoof! It is every space movie you’ve ever seen in an hour and a bit!” said Ropewalk Events Director Liz Bennet. The show begins at 7.30pm and tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door. For more details go to www.roperyhall.co.uk where there is also the facility to buy tickets. March 3 2010
Thirteen months after they delighted the crowds at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall the comedy double act which has to be seen to be believed, the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, make a welcome return on Saturday. (March 6) And Ropery Hall Events Director Liz Bennet says she cannot wait to see the sock duo back on the Ropery Hall stage. “Anyone who has seen the puppets on YouTube and MySpace cannot help but be entertained by them,” she said. “Watching them you can see why they have such a cult following on that website.” The stars of BBC 3s Comedy Shuffle and Upstaged, and MTVs Best Show Ever – and of course, YouTube come across as a couple of sweet, innocent little chaps but, as Liz warns, don’t be fooled. “They’re filthy wee tykes at heart,” she says. “And they will be bringing with them songs, sketches, socks and violence. Although the sock puppets look charming the show is aimed at an adult audience and is not suitable for those under the age of 16.” Supporting the Sock Puppets is Ali Cook whose irreverent persona and respected sleight of hand have made him one of the pioneers of the alternative magic scene. His anarchic illusions and stand up have attracted a large and diverse audience appeal including The Harry Potter Premiere Parties, private events for Damien Hirst, JK Rowling, Minnie Driver, Basement Jaxx as well as headlining comedy clubs. The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door. February 22 2010 Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
Arizona 's finest will bringing heat to the British Winter when they appear at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall on Saturday, February 27. The sound of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers owes as much to the punky, power-pop of the late-seventies as it does to traditional American rock influences. The group is not fraid to cross boundaries with their music, and will mix tales of banditos from somewhere-down-Mexico-way with subtle observations of the human condition amongst tequila-slugging good-time anthems. All this set against a backdrop of riff-rich driving guitar, and melodic, memorable choruses, while unmistakable tones of Mariachi and Spanish phrasing drift in and out of the proceedings. Fronted by Roger Clyne with drummer P.H. Naffah, lead guitarist Jim Dalton and bassist Nick Scropos, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers are the only independent band to debut in the Top 10 on Billboard's Internet Sales chart for six consecutive albums, including two Number One entries. The gig starts at 8pm and tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 February 16 2010 It Wasn’t Me It Was Bennett Arron
One of the stars of the Edinburgh Festival, Bennett Arron, will be appearing at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall on Saturday. (February 20) His show, It Wasn’t Me It Was Bennett Arron, is based on the true story of the time he had his identity stolen with devastating consequences. “He spent two years trying to clear his name during which time he became homeless and he and his wife had to live with family and friends,” said Liz Bennet, Ropery Hall Events Director. “I saw the show at the Edinburgh Fringe and this show really stood out from other excellent performances,” she said. Following on from his Edinburgh success Bennett was asked to direct and present a Channel 4 documentary on identity fraud and in the programme, nominated for a BAFTA, he proved, through a series of stunts, just how easy the crime of ID theft can be to carry out. Bennett had planned on taking his findings to the Home Office in the hope that changes would be made to the system. However when his meeting was cancelled and not rescheduled he took desperate measures to prove his point. He therefore set out, and succeeded, in stealing the identity of the then Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, by successfully applying for a driving licence in his name. “I applied for a copy of Charles Clarke's birth certificate, filled in the details on a form and there it was - a driving licence with my photo and his details," he said. But his stunt backfired dramatically when he was arrested in a dawn raid by police who accused him of major fraud. While Bennett protestations that he was merely illustrating flaws in the system were disregarded he feared he would face a High Court trial but eventually accepted a caution for applying for a false driving licence. The performance starts at 8pm and tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door. February 16 2010 Egil Skallagrimsson Keeps his Head
Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall is the venue on Friday afternoon (February 19) for the first showing outside York of a new drama by North Country Theatre, Egil Skallagrimsson Keeps his Head, which has been commissioned to celebrate York’s JORVIK Viking Festival’s 25th anniversary. The hour long performance, which begins at 2.30pm, includes violent feuding, cunning witchcraft and poetic resolution in this comedy drama. North Country Theatre, originators of the Olivier Award Winning West End and Broadway hit version of “The 39 Steps” as well as many other ripping yarns, are no strangers to Ropery Hall and Ropery Hall Events Director Liz Bennet is looking forward to welcoming them once again to the Maltkiln Road venue. “What better place than Ropery Hall on the banks of the River Humber to stage a performance about Egil, the Icelandic hardman, being driven up the river into the hands of his old enemy, Erik Bloodaxe,” she said. “And we thought that as well as the evening performance it would be lovely to stage a matinee performance as I am sure young people will enjoy what will be a memorable performance.” The first performances of the drama, the first theatrical commission for York Archaeological Trust, took place in York earlier this week. The performance tells the part-historical and part-mythical saga of Egil Skallagrimsson - 10th century Icelandic hard man - and how he falls into the hands of his old Viking enemy Erik Bloodaxe. When Egil and his crew are driven up the Humber into Erik Bloodaxe's hands, their days of travelling, trading and trashing seem numbered. But Egil has more strings to his bow (and his harp) than Erik might imagine, using poetry and smarming to get him off the hook with the bloodthirsty King. Four actors will perform the hour-long saga at using clever costume changes and puppetry to depict the main characters and crew. The drama is suitable for ages 10 and over and tickets for the matinee performance cost £6 for adults and £2 for children. The evening performance, with tickets costing £6 in advance and £8 on the door, begins at 7.30pm. February 5 2010 Keith James and Rick Foot Just over a year since the death of John Martyn, one of the most revered and innovative singer-songwriters of his generation, duo Keith James and Rick Foot will be playing tribute to him at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall on Friday, February 12.
Martyn’s music – a mix of blues, folk and funk – influenced artists as varied as U2, Portishead and Eric Clapton and it was not surprising that after his death there was a significant number of fans wanting Keith and Rick to continue to celebrate his music. “Keith and Rick, having performed hundreds of successful concerts of both the music of Nick Drake and the poetry of Lorca within the intimate format of voice, acoustic guitar and double bass were, unsurprisingly, approached by countless of both their and John’s audience along with many venues across the country to play some concerts of his music,” explained promoter Mark Keable of mtm promotions. “The focus of the concert will be on the central integrity of the songs in their pure form on acoustic instruments only.” “They perform fairly extensive concert tours across the UK every spring and autumn and their audiences can be as young as early teens and as old as - well old-ish and many concerts take place in arts venues such as Ropery Hall,” Mark continued. Also included in the concert will be music by Davy Graham, Sandy Denny, and Nick Drake. Tickets for the concert which begins at 8pm are on sale costing £12 in advance of £14 on the door. More information can be found on www.roperyhall.co.uk or by calling 01652 660380 January 28 2010 Snake Davis - Burden of Paradise Legendary saxophonist Snake Davis returns to Ropery Hall in Barton upon Humber on Sunday, February 7, with his brilliant acoustic quartet, Burden of Paradise.
Joined by world class singer, Helen Watson together with talented musicians Dave Bowie on double bass and Mark Cresswell on guitar. Burden of Paradise will delight the audience with a sublime mixture of soul, jazz, blues and folk, promises Ropewalk Events Director, Liz Bennet. Both Burden of Paradise and the Snake Davis Band are no strangers to the Maltkiln Road venue with the Snake Davis Band playing Ropery Hall in early April. “This is an acoustic show with great songs, with poignancy, passion and fun with Snake Davis on sax and flute, Helen Watson on vocals, Dave Bowie on double bass, and Mark Creswell on guitar,” said Liz. “They promise jazz, soul and folk influences, but a completely unique sound. Great songs, poignancy, passion and a lot of fun.“ “It’s great to put on such acts of this quality thanks to a grant from Arts Council England, Yorkshire, which has allowed us to walk in partnership with J-Nights from the north bank to develop and establish world renowned jazz performances at Ropery Hall,” Liz continued. Snake Davis is renowned for his skill and expertise in playing the saxophone and is in demand from some of the biggest names on the British music scene, as well as visiting artists from overseas while Helen’s repertoire includes blues, soul, jazz, pop and folk. The two first worked together many years ago. Snake played on Helen’s Blue Slipper album, which also featured Albert Lee and members of Little Feat and since then they made various TV appearances together. The group is touring through 2010, playing an eclectic mix of material from sources as diverse as Bob Dylan, The Loving Spoonful, Paul Simon and Billie Holiday! January 14 2010 John Hegley at The Ropewalk The irrepressible John Hegley makes a welcome return to Barton upon Humber on Friday (Jan 15) when he appears on the Ropery Hall stage.
A huge hit when he appeared last year – he had his audience dancing in the aisles (but only if they wore glasses) – his 2010 show will be featuring family-friendly sing-alongs and jaunty poetry including The Adventures Of Monsieur Robinet, his latest collection of short poems which features tales of a Frenchman with a dog called Chirac. “Not many shows feature family-friendly sing-alongs and jaunty poetry as well as references to Max Beckmann, Mark Rothko and Georges Braque, but then few performers have the ability to talk so accessibly about any subject as John Hegley does,” said Ropewalk Events director Liz Bennet. Also featuring in the show are a couple of subjects close to Hegley’s heart – his French heritage and his Luton upbringing. “I am sure that once again there will be plenty of warm wit both in the poetry and his banter with the audience,” Liz continued. “But the main joy comes from sharing his love of language, of learning and of rhythm.” “And the audience will be invited to sing along. But not to dance. Much,” she went on. John has produced ten books of verse and prose pieces, two CDs and one mug, but he is mainly known for his live performances up and down the country. He is an Edinburgh Festival regular where he is noted for his exploration of such diverse topics as dog hair, potatoes, handkerchiefs and the misery of human existence. And he also classes himself an occasional DJ, musician, dancer and workshop leader, using drawing, poetry and gesture. December 24 2009 Spring Programme at Ropery Hall An appearance on the Ropery Hall stage by Edward Fox, one of the talented Fox acting dynasty, is just one of the highlights of the spring programme of theatre, comedy, live music and film at the Maltkiln Road venue. Fox, who has had an extraordinarily varied and lengthy career in television and film, will be taking on the mantle of the great novelist Anthony Trollope in his one man show, An Evening with Anthony Trollope, when he appears on Friday, March 12. Jazz fans are not forgotten either with young super-group Emirical appearing in mid April, quickly followed in early May by Dennis Rollins’ Velocity trio. Ropewalk Events Director Liz Bennet believes the programme has a mix of artists never seen in Barton before as well as some who draw sell-out audiences whenever they appear. “We are able to welcome back such artists as Paul Jones and Dave Kelly who played to a sell-out audience last year, Snake Davis and Burden of Paradise,and Pluck who be providing some slapstick comedy in the heart of winter,” she said. “And, after welcoming Chris Difford in April 2009, we are delighted that the other half of the Squeeze songwriting duo Glenn Tilbrook is following in his footsteps and appearing here on March 2,” Liz continued. “And of course I cannot forget those pesky sock puppets, the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, who brought the house down the last time they appeared at Ropery Hall,” she added. She went on to say that another favourite at Ropery Hall, North Country Theatre, was returning with a short play based on the 10th century’s Egil’s Saga while comedy acts include those who have received rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe including Bennett Arron, former submariner Eric’s Tales of the Sea and two German comedians, Henning When and Otto Kuhlne who together are determined to prove that Germans do have a sense of humour! “Other live music includes a mix of past favourites such as Megson and Henry Priestman while we also welcome new acts such as The Wiyos, Keith James and Rick Foot and Chris Knight and again we have our weekly Thursday Film Nights with a mix of new and old films,” Liz went on. November 18 2009 Spine Tingling Thriller at Ropery Hall In a wryly humorous tale of murder, mystery and the occult being performed at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall in early December, the world’s greatest detective Sherlock Holmes refuses to leave the stage. Actor Roger Llewellyn stars in Sherlock…The Death and Life Of in a highly acclaimed solo show where Arthur Conan Doyle tires of 'his' intolerably arrogant Sherlock Holmes, and invents arch villain Moriarty to eliminate him. This dangerous scheme, combined with Doyle's passion for raising the spirits of the dead, has bizarre, dramatic and very unexpected outcomes. “The play, which follows on from Roger’s hugely acclaimed solo show, Sherlock Holmes….The Last Act, is a light-hearted and intriguing investigation of the consequences, when fictional characters take on lives and ambitions of their own, quite against the wishes of the author, “ explained Ropery Hall events director, Liz Bennet. “Arthur Conan Doyle tires of his intolerably arrogant Sherlock Holmes and invents the malevolent Professor Moriarty to dispose of him. But the author’s dangerous strategy, combined with his passion for raising the spirits of the dead, has rather more bizarre and dramatic consequences than he bargains for.” “Roger has had a long career in classical theatre including Shakespeare, television where he appeared in dramas such as Kavanagh QC and Inspector Morse as well as the West End and many seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company,” she continued. Both Sherlock Holmes plays have been especially written for him by David Stuart Davies, a renowned author, and a specialist in adaptations of the Conan Doyle canon. A thrilling, original score from RSC composer Simon Slater adds to the memorable, moving and intensely theatrical experience. And Roger is no stranger to Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation. His first theatrical encounter with Holmes was in 1999 in a major adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles. Sherlock….The Death And Life is being staged at Ropery Hall on Friday, December 4 starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door and can be booked online at www.roperyhall.co.uk or be calling 01652 660380. November 9 2009 Two leading exponents of jazz, singer songwriter Sarah Gillespie and saxophonist Gilad Atzmon, are appearing at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall on Saturday. (Nov 14)
Gilad and Sarah first met at London’s Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club while she was supporting Ian Dury’s band, The Blockheads. Since then they have forged a partnership which saw him produce Sarah’s critically acclaimed debut album Stalking Juliet which has received rave reviews since it was released earlier this year. Mixing blues, jazz, vaudeville and “gypsy-swing”, her music has been described as a sonic reflection of the contemporary London street, a melting-pot mix of urban-folk stamped with her trademark lyricism that knits everyday banter with raw poetry. Song-writing is nothing new to Sarah as she first started writing songs on the piano at an early age before graduating to the guitar when she was 15. Now her music is said to represent a sonic reflection of the contemporary London street as she delivers a melting-pot mix of urban-folk and middle-eastern blues. As a member of the Blockheads, Gilad has recorded and performed with Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney as well as working as a producer and has been working with Sarah to produce her debut album. “I think the audience can expect emotive ballads and raucous gypsy swing incorporating pre-rock elements of blues & vaudeville - all with Sarah’s trademark lyricism that knits everyday banter with raw poetry,” said Ropewalk Events director Liz Bennet. “Gilad’s album Exile was BBC jazz album of the year in 2003, and he has been described as ‘one of London's finest saxophonists’,” Liz continued. “He plays more than 100 dates a year and has been called the hardest-gigging man in British jazz". Tickets for the concert cost £8 in advance and £10 on the door and can be booked online at www.roperyhall.co.uk or by calling 01652 660380. The concert starts at 8pm. October 21 2009 Swing, Latin and jazz ballads singer Ruthie Culver brings her fresh and stylish fusion of poetry and music to Ropery Hall on Friday. (October 23) Utter:Jazz is a poetry reading-with-improvised music plus jazz and cabaret songs presented with spark and plenty of humour by Ruthie and her band of talented musicians. “Utter:Jazz is not a soundtrack for poetry, but something quite different,” said Ropery Hall’s Liz Bennet. “From the beautiful Rilke poems of Jo Shapcott to the witty teenage memories of Simon Armitage, the improvisation around each poem becomes a never-to-be repeated world premiere,” Liz went on. “The music vividly enhances the poetry – and vice versa, drawing comedy from a serious poem or adding a layer of intense seriousness to an ostensibly light piece. Sometimes the poem is dominant, other times the words inspire an extended piece of music with a life of its own: utterly jazz, utterly unpredictable. “ Liz added that the performance promised to be an unusual mix of sultry jazz standards and improvisation over poetry. “This unusual programme will appeal to everyone,” she said. Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door and are available from The Ropewalk or from the website. October 15 2009 BBC and Sky film buff Barry Norman charmed the sell-out audience of film lovers at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall when he talked about his favourite films and actors. “It was a fantastic evening and attracted an audience from far and wide who I am sure found his talk fascinating,” said Ropewalk Events director Liz Bennet. “He over-ran both sessions talking about the films he had chosen and the question and answer session to bring the evening to a close.” “And what made the evening even better for us at The Ropewalk was the fact that Barry chose Dirty Harry as one of his all-time favourite films – and it’s being screened in Ropery Hall this Thursday. (Oct 15) Dirty Harry, starring Clint Eastwood, was one of four films highlighted by Barry with the others being Casablanca, Gone With The Wind and the Errol Flynn version of Robin Hood. “He really enthused about Clint Eastwood who he said was the last great actor to star in Westerns,” Liz went on. “And not only did he single out Dirty Harry as one of his favourite films he also said that Gran Tourino, which is being shown at Ropery Hall the following Thursday, was a brilliant film for to end Clint’s career as an actor as from now he will be concentrating on directing,” August 26 2009 Welcome to the new website for events taking place at Ropery Hall. Just a click away is all the details for Ropery Hall’s autumn programme 2009 as well as some additional details not in the brochure. Starting on Thursday September 10 with the first Barton screening of the blockbuster movie Slumdog Millionaire (15) and ending 14 weeks later on December 17 with a very seasonal performance by folk singers Pete Morton, Maggie Boyle and Chris Parkinson, the programme has something for everyone. A highlight this year is Barry Norman who will be recounting stories of rich and famous film actors and their antics both on and off screen when he appears on the Ropery Hall stage on Friday, October 9. And there is also comedy with Arthur Smith headlining an evening of comedy in late November but before him there are appearances to look forward to of Mark Allen and Adam Hills. Music ranging from jazz to folk with a diversion to pay tribute to Bob Dylan once again features in the programme as does theatre. Ropery Hall’s own South Bank Players will be performing J B Priestley’s An Inspector Calls while North Country Theatre make a welcome return to the Ropery Hall stage with their production, Home on the Range.
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