Performer Name: The Mellstock Band

Show Name: Christmas Frolics

Show Description

CHRISTMAS FROLICS - Dancing, Carolling and Carousing in English Tradition With songs, tunes and tales from Hardy’s Wessex, in period costume with early and modern instruments. THE MELLSTOCK BAND invite you to join them in an uproarious celebration of dance, drink and general misbehaviour as carried on at Christmas in many villages until about a hundred years ago - along with sobering admonitions from puritans, squires and angels. Alongside the revelry are carols dedicated to bell-ringing and cider, and the Devil’s own tunes, with parsons and preachers caught in the crossfire. The stories and poems come from Dorset stalwarts Thomas Hardy and William Barnes. This show is perfectly adapted for winter season programming, especially for rural venues as the material is closely connected to the life of rural communities. It requires no stage set or PA and can be adapted for any space or layout. It is distinctive, and combines music, storytelling and literary interest. The experience of The Mellstock Band and their appearances in popular TV dramas means that their name is recognised, and so can be expected to draw good audiences. There are many unusual features for them to enjoy - colourful costumes, unusual instruments, vigorous harmony and solo singing, wry and witty tales, and the sound and atmosphere of another era.

No of performers: Four performers, no technical staff Requirements Dressing room facilities, including chairs, hanging rack for costumes and mirror are required. Performance Area The minimum performance area is 3m x 2m (preferably 4m x 3m) Minimum height 2.5m The shows can be performed on a raised stage or on the flat, end-on or traverse style. It is not suitable for a cabaret-style layout or in-the-round presentation. The only stage requirement is four chairs (straight back, no arms). The performance is completely acoustic, and no PA equipment is required. Simple lighting can be provided if required. Running time & Interval: 2 hrs including 20-minute interval Get in / out times: 2 hr get-in time, 1 hr get-out time
A4 & A5 posters for overprinting
THE MELLSTOCK BAND play and sing music from nineteenth-century English villages, performing dance and instrumental tunes, harmony songs of alehouse and church, Christmas carols and traditional songs. The material is researched from original sources, and arranged in appropriate styles. They perform on instruments of the time – fiddle, clarinet, concertina and serpent – and wear costumes of the mid-1840s. The music is linked by spoken word, taken from writers of the time, especially Thomas Hardy, from whose works the band take their name. They have performed all over England, and taken their music to Europe, Africa and America. They have also appeared in productions for film, television, radio and theatre, most notably in the BBC’s adaptations of Pride and Prejudice and Tess of the d’Urbervilles. The fiddle and concertina are both known to have been played by Hardy himself, and he often mentions the clarinet. The Band also includes the “rich, deep note” of the serpent, a baffling hybrid of brass and woodwind, easily recognised by its snake-like shape. The unique blend of these tones, combined with the forceful singing of the band, creates afresh the vigour, richness and excitement of English village band music Dave Townsend (Director) - Concertina, Violin, Voice Caroline Butler - Violin, Voice Tim Hill - Clarinet, Voice Phil Humphries - Serpent, Voice