Take Art Rural Touring Promoters' Menu 2014/15

Take ArtRural Touring Schemefor SomersetPromoters’ MenuSeptember 2014 - June 2015

The Take Art rural touring scheme is a well-established scheme set up to bring professional, high quality arts events to communities across Somerset. The scheme relies on a partnership between village organisations and Take Art. By working together, memorable social events can be organised in rural areas where people live and meet and so provide a way for villagers to come together socially. How the Rural Touring Scheme worksThe scheme relies on a partnership between promoter and Take Art. By signing up to the scheme each side of the partnership is agreeing to certain responsibilities, as follows:

Take Art is responsible for: providing a menu of performances that are memorable, enjoyable, diverse and affordable; financially supporting some of these shows (e.g. in areas where there is local authority funding); providing advice, support and lists of local press contacts; contracting, paying and liaising with the performance companies. Take Art will also produce, and distribute widely across Somerset, a seasonal programme listing all live events and publicising show details, as well as resources for promoters and artists, on its own website at www.takeart.org. Online tickets will be made available from the Take Art website.

Village promoters are responsible for: taking on the role of becoming an arts promoter in liaison with Take Art. This includes choosing, booking, publicising and selling tickets for their events; ensuring the venue is safe, accessible and complies with all insurance and licensing regulations; managing the event on the day; hosting the artists; and paying Take Art the agreed fee.

Welcome to the Take Art Promoters’ Menu

Reduced Price Shows: In districts where we receive local authority funding, we will offer Reduced Price shows. Thanks to increased investment from South Somerset District Council, there will be 25 of these available in South Somerset. Taunton Deane villages are allocatd 11 Reduced Price shows and we are hopeful that there will be at least 3 in West Somerset, however funding there is yet to be confirmed. We will continue to ask for 80% of the gross box office to be returned to Take Art after the event, if this figure is greater than the agreed Reduced Price.

We no longer offer full financial support for shows in Sedgemoor villages, where local authority funding has been totally cut. However, this menu includes a substantial number of attractive ‘easy-to-sell’ Full Price shows that we think are affordable. Although local authority funding also no longer exists in Mendip, we are delighted to announce the continuation of the Merlin in Mendip project (more details below).

Full Price Shows: Any village in any district can apply for Full Price shows as well.and we would like to offer these to all Somerset promoters, in whichever district. Box office average takings are £400 so it should be possible for most villages to afford Full Price shows at £400-£500, e.g. 65 tickets @ £8 = a box office of £520. The full prices shown on the following pages also include a small contribution, of around £50, towards the scheme’s costs. For complicated reasons to do with VAT, companies will invoice the village promoter direct for any Full Price shows.

Many villages have been very active and identified their own local fund-raising to help make promoting Full Price shows affordable. Some have Parish Council support, others have local charities that are willing to support and some have village events (such as festivals) that are prepared to make a donation. A few others are looking into local Patronage and individual giving. Finally some villages made substantial profits from shows last year (eg one took over £1000 in box office and bar takings!). Any village in this position should consider retaining a certain amount of any profit towards future shows.

Guarantee against lossTo support some smaller villages where a higher box office is impossible, even with a sell-out audience, we have a modest Guarantee Against Loss fund. Should the need arise, villages in any district can apply to this fund after discussion with Take Art.

We really want to help support events in all five districts of Somerset and believe the above plan is realistic. We don’t make light of the fact that selling tickets for shows is easy and are prepared to help you in as many ways as we possibly can.

Merlin in MendipWe are working again with the Merlin Theatre in Frome on this project funded by Arts Council England to offer Specially Priced shows to villages in the Mendip area. The funding is for specific exciting and unusual theatre performances. We have chosen 3 Autumn shows, as marked Merlin in Mendip, on the following pages. A further 3 Spring 2015 shows will be offered to you later in the year.

The project is also about developing a new audience for the Merlin Theatre from the villages in Mendip. So the Marketing Officer at the Merlin will work with village hall promoters to ensure ways for this to happen.

Other Notes & What to do Next?Publicity

Posters: companies will send posters and fliers to each promoter direct. These should have a blank box where you will need to put your venue’s details, ticket princes, box office etc. Should you need help, we can provide training, e.g. in designing and printing labels.

Press: each company will send you a press release for you to send out to the press well in advance of your show. If you need a list of press, radio and TV contacts please get in touch.

Workshops

Some companies offer workshops alongside their performance. A workshop at the hall or local school can help enormously to boost ticket sales. Call us about availability and costs.

Website, Facebook & Digital Media

Please don’t forget that our website will have up to date listings information so do use it to help market your event - www.takeart.org. We will also keep our Facebook pages up to date as well as sending our regular weekly email bulletins to our fast growing database of 700 active audience members. We, and many of the companies we work with, are increasingly using Twitter. Please follow us if you feel this is useful in your community.

Audience Research

Take Art is part of a national research project looking at rural audiences; eg how often and why peope attend village hall arts events. Knowing why your audience attends is a vital first step to develop new arts-going audiences. So we may ask you to work with us next season by encouraging your audiences to filll in an online survey.

What do you do next?

Talk to committee members, friends in your village etc and decide on the best shows for your community and venue. Fill in the Booking Request Form and return to Take Art by the deadline of Friday 30th May 2014 (or before!). You will hear back from us during June to discuss both your choices and the best possible dates to fit in with other promoters’ bookings.

Happy browsing.... Sarah Peterkin

Hilarious, perceptive and deliciously surreal Buttercup is a half-cow half-woman from Lancashire who is plucked from obscurity to become an overnight celebrity when Jamie Oliver teaches her how to cook pasta and meatballs. What then transpires is a rags-to-riches-to-rags love story in which she not only wins Masterchef, but becomes the star of her own ‘scripted reality’ TV show The Only Way Is Lancashire where she finally finds true love.

Bristol performer, Tom Wainwright, says he wanted to make a show that would make him and his friends laugh and so he created Buttercup. “It was great fun and an excuse for me to wear make-up and a 1970’s pinny. But I have fallen a bit in love with her and audiences have loved her wherever she has gone.” What Tom has now is a well honed satire about reality media told by a sympatheitic, moving and very funny character.

Buttercup runs at just under an hour so if you want a longer evening, Tom can offer a double bill with Barry the Beaver. Barry is a politically incorrect performance poet. Educated at the University of Life, he is a fountain of no nonsense wisdom.

Sarah says: Tom is a very talented and funny performer who loves taking people on a surreal journey. His work has been produced by Theatre Bristol, Mayfest, Bristol Old Vic, Tobacco Factory, Theatre Royal Bath and BBC Radio 4. If you book the double fill - be warned.... there is no subject Barry is afraid of broaching, irrespective of whether he knows the first thing about it!

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Reduced Price:Merlin in Mendip Price:

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Tom Wainwright in Buttercup (with Barry as a double bill)

All year Sept-June1 single room but highly unlikely to be needed 9ft x 9ft 50 mins (1 hr 40 for double bill)Only if having the double bill30 mins (20 mins to Get Out)All ages over 14 yrs£350 for Buttercup (£550 for double bill)£200 (£250 for double bill) £150 (£200 for double bill)£8

A Suffragette’s Story

A new one-woman musical. It is February 1918 and after several decades of protest and four years of bloody war Parliament is poised to grant what the suffragettes have demanded and fought for – votes for all women. After years of direct action, arrest, imprisonment and force-feeding, it seems their time has come. Wrong ‘Un tells of the adventures of Annie Wilde, a Lancashire mill-girl galvanized by a rousing mixture of injustice, conviction, self-doubt and fear on her journey from schoolroom to prison cell and beyond in a musical drama that draws on class, privilege, hope and disappointment in wartime England.

Red Ladder is a radical theatre company with 45 years of history. The company is acknowledged as one of Britain’s leading national touring companies producing great theatre about and around human struggle.

Sarah says: I have wanted to work with Red Ladder for years. Now with this one-woman, easy-to-tour show this is our chance. I don’t think you will be disappointed with the brilliant work the company are renowed for. Wrong ‘Un came to the end of its touring earlier this year but popular demand has brought it back out again.

Website:Available Dates:

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Merlin in Mendip Price: Recommended Adult Ticket Price:

Red Ladder presents Wrong ‘Un

www.redladder.co.uk18-20 Sept (some dates in Oct & Nov possible) For 2 people12ft x 9ft1 hrNo but post-show chat possible after an interval45 mins (30 mins to Get Out)All ages over 12 yrs£385£220 (or 80% box office if greater)£180 (or 80% box office if greater)£8







Shanty Theatre presents The Story Giant

www.shantytheatrecompany.co.uk24-26 SeptUnlikely to be required15ft x 15ft1 hr 45 minsYes4 hrs (2 hrs to Get Out)Familes over 7 yrs£700£300 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

Not for the faint hearted, a timeless story about stories!

It’s night time on Dartmoor and a cold wind whistles through the bracken and gorse, making them sing. Deep in his castle, the Story Giant is dying. Through the centuries he has gathered all the tales in existence. All that is, except one.

Tonight his very life relies on finding it.

Adapted from the book by legendary Liverpool poet Brian Patten, this is a show for adults and children. It deals with the dark, rich history of story and fairytale from around the world, whilst retaining the sense of humour that Shanty has become known for. This really is a true family production, to be enjoyed by anyone of seven years and older. Shanty Theatre are a firm favourite with village halls in Devon and Dorset so we are reallly pleased to secure a few dates with them in Somerset. Sarah says: Shanty’s family shows offer a genuinely captivating experience for all ages. They have a wicked sense of humour and it’s great to have a show with a large cast of five brilliantly versatile performers. Based in Lyme Regis, it means the company will usually be able to travel home each night.

Roll up! Roll up! The Cirkus awaits...

From the lands to the East where the mountain is King and the forest is Queen they come... Cirkus Spectakular!

Led by the mysterious Baba Kalina it is a colourful, topsy turvy world played out in a wandering marquee of dreams. But for one little boy, it becomes more than just a magical show: Cirkus Spectakular offers Pavlo the chance to prove himself and at last to feel like he belongs.

Drawing colours and sounds from Eastern Europe, Cirkus Spectakular explores what it means to be ‘outside the box’, yet how we can all find a way to be part of a circle.

Zany and hilarious, tender and touching this is a show for all the family to share. Roll up! Roll up! The Cirkus awaits...

Sarah says: Angel Heart are a local company from Devon that we have worked with many times before. The quality of their work has never let us down. They craft beautiful puppets to tell original stories. A great family show for anyone over 4 years old.







Angel Heart Theatre presents Cirkus Spectakular

www.angelhearttheatre.comOct-June (esp reserved 19-22 Feb half-term)Possibly required for 2 people15ft x 14ft. Blackout required.55 minsNo2 hrs (2 hrs to Get Out)Families over 4 yrs£410£200 (or 80% box office if greater)£6

An astonishing true story

In 2002, Joe Douglas went on a gap year trip to Uganda to visit an aunt who was working for a charity. Amidst the six weeks blur of safaris, white-water rafting and orphanages, Joe made friends with Ronnie… Ronnie was 16, Joe was 18. They were both the eldest sons of large families. They both supported Manchester United.

Six months later, back in Manchester, Joe got a text: “Brother, my sponsor has pulled out on me and I want to stay in school. Can you help? Ronnie x”

That text was to change both of their lives and inextricably link them together. An astonishing true story, written and performed by Joe himself, Educating Ronnie takes place over a decade: 4000 miles apart and thousands of pounds invested, it explores the murky processes behind bettering oneself in Uganda.

Sarah says: Mark, at Take Art, saw this in Edinburgh and highly recommended bringing it to Somerset. I then saw an extract and loved it too. Winning a Fringe First Award, it is a compelling piece of theatre asking lots of questions but not necessarily with any answers. “As thought-provoking as they come” **** David Pollock, The Independent






Merlin in Mendip Price: Recommended Adult Ticket Price:

Macrobert presents Educating Ronnie

www.macrobert.org7, 8 & 11 OctRequired for 3 people16ft x16ft50 mins – post show talk availableNo4-6 hrs (1 hr to Get Out)All ages£650 (incls VAT)£250 (or 80% box office if greater)£200 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

An energetic singer with natural wit and some great stories

Award-winning Canadian musician and songwriter Ian Sherwood has penned tunes for many other artists as well as theatre, film and TV. In this concert, Ian mixes catchy melodies and heart-breaking stories with intricate guitar loops, saxophones and pop/rock/jazz grooves to create music to enchant all ages.

In 2012 Ian was named Male Artist of the Year by the International Acoustic Music Awards. He was also the 2008 and 2010 Music Nova Scotia Musician of the Year.

Now set to tour the UK in Autumn 2014, thrilling audiences with his energetic stage show, solid performance and charismatic performance. Sarah says: I saw Ian in Stirling, Scotland last summer at the annual National Rural Touring conference and immediately loved his show. When he casually mentioned that he was travelling down to London that weekend and looking for a gig before flying back to Canada, a promoter from Devon sitting beside me pricked up her ears. An hour later she had booked her village hall, posted the news on Facebook and started selling tickets! It sold out.







Ian Sherwood

www.iansherwood.com9-12 Oct (shared with villages in Glos)Required for 1 person10ft x 6ft2 x 5 mins setsYes2 hrs (1 hr to Get Out)All ages£450£250 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

Put your finger on the pulse of a global sound and check out Pacific Curls

Transcending the seams of Maori and Scottish culture, Pacific Curls have travelled the world with their fusion sound of the Pacific and Scotland making music that is both worldly and enthralling.

With a cornerstone of backbeat Pacific ukulele rhythms, vivacious Scottish fiddle playing, evocative Maori instrumentation, guitar, cajons, percussion, kalimba and gorgeous vocals, Pacific Curls have pioneered a fusion sound that seamlessly blend their indigenous roots.

With their international audience rapidly growing after appearances at WOMAD, the Olympic Games in Vancouver and festivals in London, Borneo and Winnipeg as well as touring Canada, USA, Australia, China, South Korea and the UK, this is a band that creates a window into the global sounds of Scotland, the Pacific and beyond. “Music is universal, and to discover the music of a culture is to discover the culture as a whole.”

Sarah says: Pacific Curls are another group that were a sensation at the Stirling National Rural Touring conference. These three girls sing in Maori and English and their use of world instruments with beats and rhythms creates wonderful music with an intriguing contemporary edginess.



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Pacific Curls

www.pacificcurls.com25-29 OctRequired for 4 people12ft x 10ft2 x 45 mins setsYes1-2 hrs (1 hr to Get Out)All ages£550 Sun-Weds / £650 Sat £300 Sun-Weds / £350 Sat (or 80% box office)£8-£10

Fast moving comedy full of mishaps and misunderstandings

Clare and Arjun are getting married. All their friends and family are at the wedding reception. An interracial marriage between a girl from the country and a boy from city. What could possibly go wrong? You are invited to be one of the guests in this hilarious new drama full of misunderstandings with plenty of neat twists and a disco/ceilidh/bhangra dance for everyone to join in at the end. Everyone loves a wedding don’t they?

Based on real life interviews with people who have experience of mixed marriages or rural weddings attended by hard core city dwellers to create a fun, light hearted exploration of relationships across the divides of rural/urban, race, gender.

The show starts just as the imagined reception meal has finished. So venues are encouraged to decorate their hall and might like to consider serving ‘wedding cake’ (ie. chopped up iced fruit cake) and something fizzy (ie lemonade) at the start to toast the bride and groom.

Sarah says: This four hander comedy has been specially commissioned for rural touring by our friends who run schemes in Shropshire and the Black Country. Kali have a great reputation for creating inventive and great fun shows. I know Weds & Thurs are not great nights but I still think this will sell well.







Kali Theatre present My Big Fat Cowpat Wedding

www.kalitheatre.co.uk5 & 6 Nov Not requiredT-shaped space on hall floor with tables set out for audience as if for a wedding reception1 hr 20 minsYes4 hrs (1 hr to Get Out)All ages over 12 yrs £650 (incls VAT)£300 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

A lively and hugely entertaining band

This six-piece old-time country string band presents authentic and highly entertaining interpretations of traditional and early-recorded American roots-based music. The show includes music, songs, stories, humour and percussive step-dance accompaniment which is musically and visually very appealing to mixed audiences.

Champion Maryland fiddler Kate Lissauer leads this 6-piece old-time string band, which, in keeping with its age-old tradition, travels the rural countryside, bringing music and fun wherever it goes. The music is derived from traditional roots music of the southern United States, from the wonderful and wacky repertoire of early string band recordings, and from the original writing of the band.

“Fantastic, we enjoyed every moment ..the show was an utter delight and SO foot-tapping. The dancing was amazing. What an evening you gave us, thank you.” Audience Member, Bishops Lydeard

Sarah says: I thought it was about time we invited the wonderful Bufflalo Gals back. The visually and musically thrilling element of percussive step-dance is a dramatic part of the band’s performance and never fails to raise excitement levels!







Buffalo Gals Old-Time Country String Band

www.buffalogals.co.uk14-15 Nov 5-6 Dec 30-31 Jan + others on requestUnlikely to be required12ft x 8ft2 x 45 mins setsYes2 hrs (1.5 hrs to Get Out)All ages£750£350 (or 80% box office if greater)£8-£10

Stunning images with compelling commentary

This photographic show features two winter journeys to Ladakh and Zanskar. ‘Off the beaten track’ doesn’t even begin to describe how remote these places are. Lying on the edge of the Tibetan plateau, just ‘behind’ the main Himalayan ranges, these ancient kingdoms are effectively cut off from the outside world in winter by heavy snowfall and temperatures down to -30C. They are also politically sensitive, being right on the border between China and India.

So what was the appeal? The plan was to look for snow leopards and other animals which live in these remote mountains. In winter the weather is so extreme that even these tough species leave the high mountain slopes and head to the valleys where they are easier to see.

Ben and his team trekked up frozen rivers, crossed lung-busting mountain passes, travelled through uninhabited valleys, camped in caves, visited ancient monastries and strayed into areas out of bounds to foreigners. They stayed with some of the wildest and toughest people that Ben had ever had the privilege of meeting.

Sarah says: Ben is a great raconteur and a truly amazing wildlife cameraman and photographer. We are so lucky that he goes off on these adventures and then puts together these wonderful shows to share with us.







Ben Osborne presents Himalayan Journeys

www.benosbornephotography.co.uk18-22 Nov and 18-21 March Unlikely to be required15ft x 6 ft – also needs small space for projector2 hrs Yes1.5 hrs (30 mins to Get Out)All ages£470 (incls VAT)£250 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

Pip Utton presents Casanova

www.pip-utton.co.ukNov & DecNot required12ft x 10ft1 hr 15 minsYes2 hrs (1hr to Get Out)All ages over 12 yrs£600£250 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

An entertaining new play with music and dance

So famous (or infamous) that the name Casanova has gone into the dictionaries to describe men who are, for want of a better word ‘popular’ with women. In his new play Pip Utton has managed to fuse theatre and the spoken word with contemporary dance. Pip obviously plays Casanova and has almost all the dialogue but he is accompanied by a young contemporary dancer, Marguerite Chaigne, who has few words to say but beautifully portrays six of his conquests.

Welcome to Casanova’s memories, his dreams. His conquests and his broken hearts, his highs and his lows, his triumphs and his defeats. And welcome to Casanova’s seduction secrets. Comic and moving, and surprisingly beautiful at turns, this is a totally entertaining piece of theatre.

Sarah says: Pip Utton seems to have done it again! Produced another rattling good story about one of history’s infamous characters. Casanova recently achieved a sell out tour in Holland with rave reviews. If you haven’t had a chance to book Pip yet, do try this latest show. Last season’s Churchill was a ‘wow’ with everyone who booked it.







A night of great classical cabaret - glamorous and fun

Come and visit The Berlin Cabaret and hear the purring songs of Marlene Dietrich alongside lyrical soprano melodies. This is bold, sassy and fun. “Beautiful singing voices, outrageous outfits.... cabaret with a unique edge.”

The Bluebirds are singing duo Sasha Herriman and Tami Tal and for this concert they are working together with classical pianist John Human. They combine classical singing and comedy with their own unique twist of irreverence.

In Berlin Cabaret, Sasha and Tami take you to the true heart of cabaret. It’s cutting edge, glamorous and fun. They bring alive songs of the era: music by Weill, Hollaender and Spoliansky side by side with great operatic favourites. And if you want a chance to join in, they can get you singing too. They can tailor make the evening to suit your needs.

Sarah says: Sasha has relocated from London to Taunton and is dying to get out and perform in village halls to meet local audiences. I haven’t seen the show yet but it sounds great.



Running time:Including Interval:




The Bluebirds present Berlin Cabaret

www.thebluebirds.org.uk22-24 Jan (other dates might be available)Not required15ft x 15ft2 x 45 mins setsYes2-3 hrs (1 hr to Get Out)Adults£550£300 (or 80% box office if greater) £8

Well-loved story from a well-loved company

Welcome to Bedford Falls. Welcome to small town America. Welcome to Farnham Maltings winter show. Frank Capra’s classic 1946 movie needs no introduction.

George Bailey, a desperate middle aged clerk discovers the difference he has made to his family, his friends and his home town (with a little help from Clarence, the apprentice angel).

Following the success of Miracle on 34th Street Farnham Maltings is bringing the struggles and joys of 1940s small town America to the villages and towns of England. Using their own, inimitable style the company has created two hours of theatre that promises to warm the coldest of places through the long winter nights.

Sarah says: Farnham Maltings never fail to create magical theatre for all ages. This promises to be a wonderul re-creation of that well-loved film and the perfect antidote for those post Christmas blues. I also thought I might be lynched if word got out that I hadn’t booked Farnham’s latest production, especially in Clapton and North Cadbury where the company are firm favourites and almost an annual event!







Farnham Maltings present It’s a Wonderful Life

www.farnhammaltings.com28-30 JanPossibly required for up to 5 people 15ft x 15ft2 hrs Yes4 hrs (1 hr Get out time)All ages over 8 yrs£660 (incls VAT)£300 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

A one-woman version of the classic love story

Pitting the Montagues against the Capulets, Debs Newbold catapults audiences into the torrid streets of Verona in an unforgettable storytelling performance. With just voice, words and a charismatic stage presence, the whole world of Romeo & Juliet is recreated by this spellbinding performer.

Originally created for Shakespeare’s Globe and a sell-out at the Hay Festival, this poignant and often hilarious re-telling immerses audiences both in Shakespeare’s incomparable verse and the warm, poetic storytelling that is uniquely Debs’ own, showing why her performance has been hailed ‘a masterful piece of verbal cinema’.

Creating and performing stories is Debs Newbold’s full time job She has a fast growing international reputation for her poetic, highly authentic and defiantly modern storytelling voice. Armed with a quick wit, a dirty laugh and a way with the audience she was recently voted one of the top five acts at Towersey Festival. She is also a great musician and an Associate Artist of the English Folk Dance and Song Society

Sarah says: Debs comes highly recommended to us as a dynamic actress, captivating audiences and delivering tour-de-force performances. This is a really simple show to stage in your hall and also affordable at the full fee.

Romeo & Juliet re-told by Debs Newbold

www.deborahnewbold.co.uk5-7, 19-21 Feb For 2 people, a double room9ft x 6ft1 hr 30 minsYes1 hr (30 mins to Get Out)All ages over 15 yrs£350£220 (or 80% box office if greater)£8







Disco dancing accompanied by Sinatra

Spiltmilk Say Dance reinvents social dance crazes that have swept dancefloors all over the world, the kind of dances we all end up doing at discos, weddings and family gatherings. It is a show of two halves. The first half of the evening sees the company’s brilliantly talented three dancers put their unique spin on familiar dance favourites; think Disco dancing to Sinatra, the YMCA to Mozart and The Twist on chairs.

In the second half it’s your turn! The chairs are pushed back, and everyone is invited to join in a social dance like no other, with the dancers mingling and a caller making sure you all go the same way. You’ll get to have a go at long-forgotten folk dances you learned at school, daft novelty dances you only do at weddings and elegant ballroom moves, all to some unexpected musical choices played live by musician Sam Dunkley.

Brimming with nostalgia, wit and mind boggling moves, Spiltmilk Say Dance is a family friendly event with something for everyone!

Sarah says: I was delighted to come across this fabulous dance company. Full of talent they have come up with an evening of two halves that has proved very popular with all audiences. “Fun, slick and hilarous yes - but my goodness is it clever.”







Spiltmilk Say Dance

www.spiltmilkdance.co.uk12-14 Feb, 12-14 MarFor 5 people if at all possible17ft x 10ft plus space for chairs to be moved to the side for the audience to join in2 x 45 mins setsYes4 hrs (1hr to Get Out)All ages£700£300 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

A nostalgic sound that crackles with 21st century flair

Fumi Okiji’s Old Time Jazz Band is a joyous celebration of the great tradition of jazz song. “It is unapologetically old time jazz and at the heart is Fumi’s rich, sonorous, contralto accompanied by a stellar band of musicians.” Simisola Balogun

The music is essentially lovingly crafted interpretations of repertoire from jazz’s inception, through the interwar years. The band takes in the blues, New Orleans, black vaudeville, Louis, Ella and Billie.

Vocalist and band leader, Fumi is accompanied by a world class line up of four musicians; London based clarinettist, Idris Rahman is taking a break from performing with his own band, Soothsayers and from his regular touring with Arun Gosh to come on this Somerset tour. Ben Davis is the foremost jazz cello in the UK and alongside exceptional guitarist, Stuart Hall, they make a great string section. Roy Dodds, who plays drums and percussion with many roots and jazz groups completes the band. As well as playing with Jacqui Dankworth, Roy was part of the acoustic pop band, Fairground Attrarction in the 80s.

Sarah says: This is an astonishing line up. In the last few years we have struck up a great relationship with Jazz Services who can offer us first class musicians at a cut price rate. And could be a perfect Valentine Nights night out too.







Fumi Okiji’s Old Time Jazz Band

www.fumiokiji.co.uk/oldtime12-14 FebLikely to be required10ft x 7ft2 hrsYes2 hrs (1.5 hrs to Get Out)All ages£550£300 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

A tale of dark deeds

The team that brought you the award winning Great Expectations have got their teeth into Bram Stoker’s classic tale of the vampire.

Written by Andrew McPherson and directed by Simon Harvey, outrageously versatile performer David Mynne brings you his one-man performance of… Dracula! “Listen to them….the children of the night. What music they make.”

Be warned: this monstrous, disturbing (and completely batty) tale of dark deeds and the UnDead, will thrill and seduce you. Owner of one of the world’s most malleable faces, Dave Mynne conjours up a cast of dozens. Touring with a light set and generally providing all the sound effects himself, he manages to stay true to the well known story but adds his own modern day anarchy, thanks to his natural ability for physical comedy.

Sarah says: Everyone I know raved about Rabbit Theatre’s previous show Great Expectations so I jumped at the chance to book Dracula. Cornishman Dave Mynne will be well known to many of you as one of the original and regular performers from the wonderful Kneehigh Theatre.







Rabbit Theatre presents Dracula

www.mynne.com26-28 Feb, 5-7 MarFor 1 person (gluten free) 10ft x 10ft2 x 40 mins halvesYes3 hrs (1hr to Get Out)All ages over 12 yrs£475£250 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

Telling tales, good company and the thrill of the dark

A trendy theatre company, fresh from the city, begin their high-tech show when the room is plunged into sudden darkness. Is it a blow-out? Or is it something more mysterious? (Do you even know how much that kit cost!?) How will audience and performers keep one another entertained until light returns?

Tailored to each community in which it’s performed, Cartoon de Salvo’s new show explores what happens when we have only storytelling left to keep the night at bay.

The Cartoons are one of the UK best loved rural touring companies. This show is currently being devised but we know it will celebrate tale-telling, good company and the thrill of the dark. It has been inspired by David Thomson’s classic book People of the Sea: Celtic tales of Seal-Folk and explores how people and communities entertained themeselves in the days, and nights, before telly and smartphones.

Sarah says: I love Cartoon de Salvo. They always produce a really enetertaining show with loads of laughs. Even though this piece has not been produced yet I can guarantee it will be a good fun night out!







Cartoon de Salvo’s The Powercut Compendium

www.cartoondesalvo.com19-21 MarFor 4 people but might not be requiredTo be confirmed. Need a blackout.1 hr 30 minsTo be confirmed4 hrs (1.5 hrs to Get Out)Adults and brave children£650£250 (or 80% box office if greater)£8

A Cappella Quintuplets

Men In General mix a cappella classics with comedy, advice on relationships, what not to wear and the tender side of blokedom. Includes highly interactive flights of fancy. Fast moving and funny.

A five-piece force of male vocal antics not to be missed. The show includes indoor parachute jumping, a road movie, the benefits of going barefoot, a painting by Edward Hopper, unusual hobbies for men, a pub at midnight and mistakes anyone could make.

Men in General features members from some amazing other musical outfits; The Singing Sous’ Chefs, Three Choirs Festival Chorus and Australian sensation, The Spooky Men’s Chorale. They have come together as Men in General to peform comedy and sing top lyrics from Billy Joel, Lou Reed, Marvin Gaye, Joe Jackson, Rodgers & Hammerstein, The Beach Boys and other well known favourites. Sarah says: Musical cabaret nights are very popular with our audiences. This is one of the best. Totally ‘off the end of the pier’! A fellow scheme manager said “full hall, great vibe, fabulous voices, dubious suits. Just the ticket.” And apparently choirs and vocal ensembles especially love this show.







Men In General

www.meningeneral.org.uk4-8 March 2015For 5 people, if possible11ft x 6ft2 x 45 mins halvesYes 3.5 hrs (1hr to Get Out)All ages over 12 yrs£800 £350 Weds, Thurs, Sun / £400 Fri, Sat (or 80% box office if greater)£10

Photo Colton Halls

Why not self-promote your own shows...Somerset Theatre Companies and Musicians

Somerset is blessed with dozens of excellent musicians and a growing number of excellent theatre companies and performers.

A few of these took part in the Showcase Day at Crowcombe Village Hall in March 2013. They are still keen, willing and affordable to perform in your village halls. Take Art simply doesn’t have the resources to support or coordinate these shows. Below are a few examples from the many Somerset performers and musicians:-

Nick Girone-Maddocks (acoustic root, folk & country) www.nickgm.co.ukParadox Theatre (children’s shows) www.paradoxtheatre.co.ukDarren Hodge (acoustic guitarist) www.youtube.com/user/DarrenHodgeMusicMichael Loader (storyteller) http://catchingthegypsystale.wordpress.comSouthern Folk (country folk and comedy duo) www.reverbnation.com/davetash Tor Theatre www.tortheatre.co.ukBoiling Kettle Theatre www.boilingkettle.co.ukBen & Alfie (Violin, Double Bass duo) benandalfie.blogspot.co.ukKate Luxmoore & Lekan Babola (jazz clarinet and percussion) www.youtube.comNick White (Yer Tiz) who has formed a new company Wassail Theatre (no website yet) to tour his latest show Giants, the sequel to Becoming Giants a play about Yeovil Town Football Club.And many others..... Check out the various websites for more information and contact the companies direct for available dates and fees. Alternatively, we could negotiate, arrange and help publicise a limited number of these self-promotions on your behalf but, alongside the companies’ fee, there would also be an additional charge of around £50 to contribute to our costs.

Contact Sarah Peterkin at [email protected]

Take ArtThe Mill, Flaxdrayton FarmSouth PethertonSomerset TA13 5LR01460 249450

Take Art Rural Touring Promoters' Menu 2014/15

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