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An original Murder Mystery interactive evening where the audience must find the culprit. Teams must assess the story on stage, and record every clue, suspect and motive they can find.

Its election time and three determined candidates are all vying to be leader of the ruling party in government. We follow the story of St John Beckett, Minister for European affairs and is somewhat fed up with his life. He is currently topping the polls but with problems at home and in work, St John really doesn’t want to be there. Suspecting his wife of adultery with another leading candidate and being surrounded by hapless aides and colleagues, a constituent on his case at every turn, he is very much a man who isn’t happy with his lot. A 3rd challenger, Eliza, and he have a sordid history as well, which threatens to derail his leadership bid. So with so many people vying for his position and power, could a thirst for power result in a crime? There’s only one way to find out….
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Steve Tilston is one of our most celebrated song smiths, widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music; the words, arrangements and subtle, quite superb guitar playing could be no one else.

“The more you listen, the more there is to discover.” Bob Harris

In 2020, Steve will be celebrating his 70th birthday and his 50 years in the business milestone, so cause for celebration. Steve’s most recent CD Distant Days is a paired back voice and guitar recording, something he’s wanted to do for some time. 19 tracks – solo acoustic recollections - chosen largely by public selection via social media, including three previously unreleased instrumentals Shinjuku inspired by Bert Jansch, one of them. Steve will be including many of these songs in his concert plus a few new ones.

Born in Liverpool and raised in the Midlands, Steve made his recording debut in 1971 with the classic An Acoustic Confusion and has been turning out quality albums ever since. Life by Misadventure, And So It Goes, Solo Rubato and Such and Such all featuring first-class song-writing and stylistically Tilston, marking him out as one of this country’s finest writers. Whilst the instrumental Swans at Coole is testament to his guitar virtuosity. Though known as a songwriter, Steve has always had an ear for the tradition and included new interpretations of old favourites on his original recordings. Of Many Hands is his first “all-traditional” album; with unique arrangements of timeless classics. There’s also a “best of” anthology, The Greening Wind and a live album Live Hemistry recorded on tour with Fairport Convention.

He joined an illustrious band of guitarists including Martin Simpson, Michael Messer and Wizz Jones, when he was invited to contribute to the Guitar Maestro series of DVDs; a combination of live studio performance and interviews, revealing the real passion behind these talented musicians…If anyone ever deserved the moniker Guitar Maestro, it’s Steve Tilston!

The writer of such classic songs as The Slipjigs and Reels and the award-winning The Reckoning, is also a published author. Steve’s first novel All for Poor Jack is an historical tale set in Bristol and the New World, full of colourful characters. It’s a mighty good read and has been enjoyed by the likes of Bob Dylan no less!

He’s toured with John Renbourn’s Ship of Fools, traditional singer Maggie Boyle (the classic recordings Of Moor and Mesa and All Under the Sun), as guitarist with Ballet Rambert, with Maartin Allcock & Pete Zorn in WAZ! with Brooks Williams and with his daughter Martha. Plus collaborations with alt-country band The Durbervilles and old Bristol pals Keith Warmington and Stuart Gordon as the Steve Tilston Trio. His latest project is with fellow songwriter Jez Lowe, the duo CD The Janus Game featuring all new co-writes is out now!

Others have also recorded Steve’s songs. Here’s to Tom Paine is the adopted theme song for the Tom Paine Society of America and we’ve lost count of the number of versions of The Slipjigs & Reels!

Steve Tilston Quotes | the recordings

Distant Days | 2018

A solo acoustic retrospective which sees Steve reworking some of his most treasured self-penned songs, offering a unique insight into his musical journey since the early 1970s.

“In a similar vein to Richard Thompson’s Acoustic Classics is Steve Tilston’s 19-strong set of revisited songs going as far back in his career as An Acoustic Confusion. Unsurprisingly this solo project is impeccably played and sang with the lack of ornamentation giving the songs plenty of room to breath and lending a simplicity that harks back to Tilston’s days touring the old folk clubs with Bert Jansch and Maggie Boyle. Also effective are the previously unreleased instrumental nuggets place throughout the set like interludes, adding texture by shifting the focus from vocal to guitar lines.” **** Glenn Kimpton, Songlines

“A more conventional, warm summer treat is Steve Tilston’s lovely Distant Days, a welcome solo acoustic retrospective of his wide, whole-hearted career.” Jude Rogers, The Guardian

“…succeeds in so many ways: it allows Steve to revisit his back catalogue in a new way; it points us to songs that perhaps we’ve forgotten or not heard before and provides excellent listening in doing so.” Dai Jeffries, Folking.com

“…is something very special …hearing these songs performed once again in the context of a mature singer all these years later is a joyful thing …another confirmation that this songwriter just keeps on giving.” Allan Wilkinson, Northern Sky (Album of the Month)

“…has the effect of refreshing your love for the music of Steve Tilston, seeking out the originals from your collection and tracking down those CDs you don't yet own.” Ian Cripps, Fatea Magazine
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The journey of parenthood is a magical and maddening one so what better way to cope with it than through stand up comedy! AFTERMIRTH is an adult comedy club that you can bring your baby to.

We’ll have 3 top circuit comedians delivering their usual club routines so the material is mature and sweary with the odd birth story flash back.... The only difference is it’s during the day. Babies under 18 months are welcome, but please don’t bring older toddlers because they tend to heckle!

This special afternoon gig has reduced amplification and a dimmed room so no one will notice those red eyes from sleepless nights. You’re encouraged to bottle, breast or Haribo feed and you can walk about or shake Mittens the Special Rabbit in order to soothe your offspring and no one will moan or mutter if your little one cries or screams.

There’s snacks and drinks available at the bar too so treat yerself to crisps and a Prosecco, you deserve it!

The gig is also open to parents, Aunts, Uncles, Grans, carers, in fact anyone who needs some afternoon comedy and doesn’t mind some cute babies in attendance.

AFTERMIRTH is lovingly curated and compered by Angie Belcher.

Please note!
There’s limited space, ditch the buggy and bring a sling if you can.

LINE UP:
Louise Leigh, Anna Keirle and Noel Brodie

NOEL BRODIE
'sharp, charismatic and seriously funny’. UK comedy

Noel will be bringing his fast paced and irreverent litany of stories to Wotton

Noel has just returned from a world tour with Harry Redknapp.

'Simply stunning stories' The Sunday Herald

ANNA KEIRLE
'Sweet Cornish whimsy...Crazy, Bonkers!’ - Russell Brand
'wonderfully pottymouthed but endearingly innocent at the same time' - Cornish Guardian
'Far too f***ing funny' - Jo Caulfield
'Cornish comedy goddess’- Plymouth Herald
..’ you worked it and rocked it ‘- Eden Project

'Daffy Cornish bumpkin Keirle has funny in her veins, with a disarming daftness and an endearingly babbling manner.She bristles with fine, offbeat ideas and has plenty of funny lines,.....Give her a couple of years and we could be looking at an emerging comedy star' Chortle – full review available on Chortle Website

..’never fails to get a good result, a brilliant act’ Barbican theatre

LOUISE LEIGH
One of “the most promising and original acts to come out of the South West Comedy scene in the last couple of years”, Louise Leigh is equally skilled with microphone and nit comb. She’s relatable if you have met a child, seen a husband and been alive since birth. And even if you haven’t done any of those things, she’s still proper funny.
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Under the Edge Arts are thrilled to bring you an evening of 5 top drawers circuit comedians.
Come laugh away those Winter blues with your compere, Angie Belcher.

Your headline act is NOEL BRODIE, 'sharp, charismatic and seriously funny’. UK comedy

Noel will be bringing his fast paced and irreverent litany of stories to Wotton

Noel has just returned from a world tour with Harry Redknapp.

'Simply stunning stories' The Sunday Herald

Additional line up is David Hoare, Anna Keirle, Mark Hurman and Abi Clarke.

DAVID HOARE
An up and coming musical comedian, mixing observational stand-up with sharp and witty songs. One of We Are Cults "10 Stand-Up Comics To Watch In 2017" and Musical Comedy Awards Semi Finalist

ANNA KEIRLE
'Sweet Cornish whimsy...Crazy, Bonkers!’ - Russell Brand
'wonderfully pottymouthed but endearingly innocent at the same time' - Cornish Guardian
'Far too f***ing funny' - Jo Caulfield
'Cornish comedy goddess’- Plymouth Herald
..’ you worked it and rocked it ‘- Eden Project

'Daffy Cornish bumpkin Keirle has funny in her veins, with a disarming daftness and an endearingly babbling manner.She bristles with fine, offbeat ideas and has plenty of funny lines,.....Give her a couple of years and we could be looking at an emerging comedy star' Chortle – full review available on Chortle Website

..’never fails to get a good result, a brilliant act’ Barbican theatre

ABI CLARKE
Confident and charming with a weakness for the weird; Abi Clarke’s sharp observations and hilarious stories of 21st century discoveries and dilemmas make her one to watch... Funny Women Semi Finalist 2019.
'Riotously hilarious, scathingly posh and with a biting satire on girlhood and modernity' Time Out)

Stand up for cider Winner, MARK HURMAN
'Contains the everyman rage we all want to let out, the room loved him as much for his contained male anger as his brilliantly arranged hyperbole on modern living, a fantastic comedian' Comedy Guide
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From 8pm once a month (every second Friday)

Free entry, donations welcome, bar open, PA provided
Bringing the benefit of jazz as an art form to the local community and to multiple levels of ability. All instruments/vocalists will be made welcome. If you can play the blues and want to have a crack at jazz – this is for you! If you want to come and just listen that is fine too.
Jazz Jam Sessions are led by John Cook, Shairon Lloyd, Peter Neale and JJ Shaw.