First album launched at return of hit show
Press Release 19 Feb .
Debut album at return of hit show.
East Anglian folk-storytelling band The Penland Phezants will launch their first album at their latest performance of "Bread or Blood" the true story of the 1816 Littleport and Ely Bread Riots, at Wisbech Library this Saturday 24 February.
Historical background to the show
The 75 minute narrative - dramatic storytelling with stirring folk ballads - was commissioned by Ely City Council and has been touring across fenland since May 2016. ('Riot Day' in Littleport, the 200th anniversary of the riots.)
The CD is a live recording of one of the shows from the initial 2016 tour, as performed Babylon Arts Gallery in Ely on the 200th anniversary of the hangings. The rioters were imprisoned, tried and sentenced in Ely and the tragic hangings took place in the city. The hanged men's names can still be seen on a plaque on St Mary's Church tower in Ely, the bodies buried nearby. The CD captures the particular charged atmosphere of that anniversary.
The live show is now part of the Cambridgeshire Libraries presents arts alive series. https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-&-culture/libraries/library-news/library-presents-arts-alive/
Since the original 2016 tour, founder Phezants - poet-narrator Gareth Calway and folk-balladeer Andy Wall - have been joined by folk harpist Vanessa Wood-Davies who adds musical support throughout the show and a beautiful self-composed final elegy.
The elegy has been added to the live show on the album, along with the final moments of the exciting original tour finale at the 2016 Ely Folk Festival.
The three-strong Phezants announced their first festival tour dates for their new 90 minute Hereward the Wake show last week, with appearances at Bury Arts Festival on 22 May and Ely Folk Festival on 14 July.
The Phezants have also written the music for 'Skirting Heresy' a new play about Margery Kempe by New York author Liz MacDonald, adapted from her book and film script, which is scheduled to come to Lynn Minster on September 22.
Bread or Blood (part of The Library Present Arts Alive) is at Wisbech Library on Saturday 24 February at 6.30. For tickets (£7 Concessions £4) call Jakki Racey on 0345 045 5225 or go to your.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk