Summer 2020
Hmm. Let’s not talk about that. There’s the matter of the coronavirus to deal with first. If you want to be first to find out what we’re up to when we’re out of confinement, sign up to News from the Hedge below!
Summer 2019
In the summer of 2019, we'll be showcasing our new show - IRON-BROW & THORN-COAT - at a few choice locations in the Southwest of England. See below for details and dates - it's a retelling of a Lithuanian folktale, with puppets, masks, music and foolery. It's by far the most audacious and flamboyant show we've attempted and we're utterly delighted to be showing it to you this year!
IRON-BROW & THORN-COAT
When the sea-foam is red at the end of the Earth, only then will you see me again – until then you will wander the earth and all that you touch will turn to iron…
A curious hedgehog with high hopes and his iron-browed bride journey to the ends of the Earth. Will they find true love and happiness, or witches and dragon-flames? Beyond a limitless ocean, a woman covered in moss begs for forgiveness, while under a crone’s stone doorstep, two toads endure winter for love’s sake.
IRON-BROW AND THORN-COAT is our retelling of a classic Lithuanian folk-tale. Steeped in old magic and half-familiar memories, this beguiling tale of magical transformation, love, betrayal and endurance brings together storytelling by Tom Hirons, puppetry and masked performance by Helen Aldrich, music by Louis Bingham and Griselda Sanderson and artistic direction from Rima Staines and Sarah Vigars.
Suitable for all story-seekers and particularly aimed at intergenerational audiences from 5 – 105
Thus far, we have shows booked at the following times and places:
Studio 1, Dartington - April 12th/13th - preview shows
Sharpham Summer Open Day - June 30th, 2pm
Buddhafield - storytelling all through the festival (17th-21st July), then Iron-Brow and Thorn-Coat at 3pm and 7pm on Saturday 20th July
The Woodland Presents, Dartington - August 2nd (7pm show, then feasting!) and August 4th (3pm matinee show)
West Town Farm, Ide, near Exeter - August 10th (3pm show and 7pm evening show)
Tickets for Hedgespoken shows are available here
Read more about this extraordinary collaboration Iron-Brow and Thorn-Coat.
2018
As you may know, if you're signed up to News from the Hedge, we're not touring much in 2018. In fact, we're only attending one* festival... We hope to see you somewhere on the road in 2019 - this year, we're concentrating on the artistry side of Hedgespoken - Hedgespoken Press.
*UPDATE! WE'RE ALSO ATTENDING THE FOLLOWING TWO MARVELS:
September 12-16 2018
Green Earth Awakening, the Blackdown Hills, Somerset (just, almost Devon)
Sometimes referred to as the 'Jewel in the Crown' of Buddhafield, Green Earth Awakening (GEA) is a smaller event run by the Buddhafield crew in the Blackdown Hills and it's one of the loveliest events we go to. It's a truly special family camp with an emphasis on engaged Buddhism and activism. We love it.
If you've never been and are in the area, do take a look - we'll be telling stories every day and every evening. In the gathering Autumn air, it's just a sweet delight of a place to tell tales and full of the finest people you could ever hope to meet.
August 24-27 2018
Oxford Storytelling Festival, Waterperry House and Gardens, OX33 1LA
We're honoured and very excited to be appearing at the Oxford Storytelling Festival, where we'll be telling The Battle of the Birds on Saturday afternoon and then The Firebird on Sunday morning. We'll not be taking the truck this time, as it's a 400 mile round trip, but hope to be back in style next year.
This is the first year of this Storytelling Festival and it promises to be a rare treat - if you can possibly get to it, we heartily recommend that you do. The programme is available for perusal here.
July 18-22 2018
Buddhafield Festival, Blackdown Hills, Somerset
Our only current engagement this year. We came here last year and were so warmly welcomed that we are making it our only festival of 2018. If you haven't been, it's just gorgeous. Check it out here.
April 29-30 2017
Lowton Farm, Bondleigh, Devon, EX20 2AL
Two days at this beautiful farm in mid-Devon - afternoon and evening shows of The Singing Bone, with Ben and Claerwen of the farm providing a cafe-bar in one of the barns and extra sideshows to add to the fun! Buy tickets here.
May 6 2017
Society for Storytelling Gathering - Plymouth, Devon
We'll be here with our stall and show, but not the truck. See the Society for Storytelling website for more details.
June 3 2017
Hay Festival - Hay-on-Wye, Wales
As well as Hedgespoken performing two shows here, Rima will be performing along with Sylvia Linsteadt as part of the Tatterdemalion tour - see the Hay Festival website for more details.
June 16-18 2017
Unearthed in A Field - St. Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales
July 27-30 2017
Buzzard Fair - Lowton Farm, Bondleigh, Devon
We return to Lowton Farm for this arts and craft and rural culture fair.
Aug 3-6 2017
Green Gathering - Chepstow, Wales
We're delighted to be returning to the Green Gathering. See here for more details.
Aug 10-13 2017
Offgrid Festival - Exeter, Devon
And back to Devon again for this - it was beautiful last year. See here for more.
