November
2004
Breton Christmas Spirits |
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| John
Edgar |
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Writer,
performer and storyteller John Edgar returns to Wolverhampton's Arena
Theatre in December with a new one man show. |
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On his many visits to rural Brittany, John, from Wolverhampton, has
met traditional Breton storytellers, amid, as he tells it "the
standing stones, tombs and relics of a land where religion meets magic,
where the church meets the druids…".
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| John
Edgar during his performance |
From the
stories he absorbed, and further reading, he created a much travelled
one man show 'Breton Tales After Dark', that premiered at the Arena
Theatre in 2003.
In 'Breton Christmas Spirits', John's new show, he promises to tell
more dark and eccentric tales that he's collected from across the
channel.
Christmas Eve was always special in Brittany, he says.
"Not only was it the beginning of the most celebrated feast in
the Christian calendar, it was also the night of miracles.
"It was a night when the ox and ass in the stable regained the
power of speech in recognition of their good work on that first Christmas
night."
So far so festive, but John continues:
"It
was also the night when the ageless standing stones left their ancient
beds to drink from the rivers, and there was treasure to be had –
provided you were quick.
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| John
in full flow |
"Midnight
was the hour when the waters in the wells would turn, for two seconds
only, to the sweetest and strongest wine ever tasted.
"You were either at midnight mass or you were in bed. For, of
course, the dead also walked abroad…".
Crikey. Sounds like it could be an interesting performance.
'Breton Christmas Spirits' is at the Arena Theatre, Wulfruna Street,
Wolverhampton on Tuesday December 21st, 7.30pm.
Tickets are £7.00 (£5.00 concessions), available from
the Arena Box Office on: 01902 321 321. |
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Find
out more on what activities are available for a fun-filled family day out
in the Black Country area.
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BBC
Black Country Website
The Mailbox
Birmingham
West Midlands
B1 1RF
Tel: 0121 567 6000
blackcountry@bbc.co.uk |
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