“Harp and Carp” at A Bit Crack started in a pink glow from Chris‘s new, rechargeable, stage lights – diffuse on one side and brighter on the other. This seemed strangely appropriate as our evening got underway with a story of a west of Scotland fisherman looking happily out to the sunset with his wife, whilst Neil Wood skilfully accompanied on the clarsach.
Dan Serridge soon had us thinking – following the death of his wife, the fisherman spent more and more time at sea, only returning after dark. The macabre discovery of a skeleton in his net which subsequently appeared in his cottage led on to a new life for the wife he had mourned. Who were we? Who are we? …we asked ourselves.
Dan Serridge soon had us thinking – following the death of his wife, the fisherman spent more and more time at sea, only returning after dark. The macabre discovery of a skeleton in his net which subsequently appeared in his cottage led on to a new life for the wife he had mourned. Who were we? Who are we? …we asked ourselves.
After more music – and light relief among cats in Keswick, we returned to bigger themes. First was Duncan Williamson’s story of the young man full of fear at being asked for a story – then full of wonder at his transformation into a woman. Now he has a tale to tell!
The audience were now asked about memorable weddings! The sometimes surprising responses were lodged in Dan’s mind to be given back to us as we ended the night with Orfeo’s quest to be reunited with Lisabelle, abducted by the Faery King. The themes of patience, perseverance and love, and real communion with the forest environment all resonated for me.