A unique theatrical experience dubbed a ‘massive feminist call-out’ which fuses storytelling and live folk music is coming to Keswick for one night only.
FERAL is the brainchild of performance artist and director Sonya Moorhead and is inspired by her own personal attempt to escape the suffocation of domesticity by hitchhiking to Oban to track down 60s ‘folk legend’ Anne Briggs.
The show, directed by award-winning Debs Newbold, will tour venues across the North this winter, stopping off at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick on Saturday 3 November.
FERAL’s double-bill format means audiences will be treated to two shows in one, an intimate storytelling performance featuring a few of Sonya’s party tricks followed by a live gig by The Greyhounds, a folk band which puts a new twist on traditional narrative folk songs. It features John Ellis on piano, Sarah Dale on cello and Ian Fletcher on guitar, bringing an unexpected texture to the iconic ballads Anne Briggs famously revived.
Originally from Northern Ireland and now based in the North West, Sonya is nationally renowned for her outdoor theatre productions and FERAL marks her first indoor show for more than fifteen years.
Speaking of the upcoming Keswick date, Sonya said: “Theatre by the Lake is such a special, venue and I can’t wait to bring FERAL to Keswick. This is one of the most personal shows I’ve ever done, exploring everything from my relationship with folk music to my own mental battles as a woman connecting to my own ‘wildness’.
“The songs of Anne Briggs have been a thread running through my adult life and they run through FERAL in much the same way. I love the stories she tells through her songs and the fact that the female characters often come out on top. Our aim is to create a really thought-provoking and entertaining night out, much like the good old days of 60’s folk clubs.”
Folk band, The Greyhounds, who debuted at Todmorden Folk Festival in 2016, will play a one hour set to close the show, and their FERAL EP comes out to coincide with this tour.
Sonya continued, “I brought together some of my favourite musicians for a one-off performance in 2016 but there was something so magical about it that we all agreed we wanted to continue as a band. As well as our original material, many of the songs we perform are very traditional folk ballads but these arrangements give them a unique and unexpected feel. John, Sarah and Ian are incredible musicians who have performed all over the world and I can promise that Keswick audiences are in for a real treat in November. Please do buy a ticket and support the show if you can.”
FERAL is supported by Arts Council Funding and will visit Kendal, Ulverston and many others as part of the tour.
Tickets are £15.00 (U16s £10) and are available at https://www.theatrebythelake.com/production/17948/Feral or by calling the box office 017687 74411