Kerchief Theatre unites artists to bring ancient folk story to life

NEW theatre company Kerchief are bringing their telling of the story The Holland Handkerchief to the stage this summer, with performances across the South West, including two nights at the Frome Festival.

“The project is truly collaborative and will be the product of artists from different disciplines stitching together the threads of the ancient folk story to make a magical piece of theatre. The piece combines music composed and performed by folk duo Violette, with movement and text devised and performed by the Kerchief company, and the set will involve work by designer Jessie Redwood and local felt-maker Bessie of Bessie’s Textiles Frome.

“Kerchief theatre have put all these creative brains together, with the simple aim of telling this beautiful tale of love and loss. It is an old folk story, but the themes and questions remain really relevant; it’s about a young woman not being allowed to make decisions about her life and what a mess that can create. It’s about the legacy of love, and the finality of death. There’s nothing new in the world!

“The project draws inspiration from traditional oral storytelling, as well as multimedia theatre techniques. The rehearsal process has taken the form of cooperative improvisation, distributing the power evenly amongst the performers, the director and the musicians.”

Director Maddy Herbert said, “I have loved Benji Kirkpatrick’s version of the song The Holland Handkerchief for a long time and it was really what inspired me to make a version for the stage. I think it is a story with a very human element to it, despite (if not thanks to) delving into the supernatural and the unknown.

“The story comes from the past but the making of it is about now! It is an exciting time to be making work in the South West, which is really brimming with artists and theatre-makers. I have been surprised and delighted by how many artists there are on my doorstep in Frome who are keen to collaborate and who have jumped at the opportunity to be involved. I guess it’s largely because it’s a story that’s difficult to let go of once you’ve heard it – it sticks with you and that’s a joy for any artist or indeed any audience to be part of.

“It doesn’t stop at the other artists involved; I have been overwhelmed by the support of local arts organisations and the people who run them. Big thanks in particular to the team at the Silk Mill and the Frome Festival for getting behind our baby project from the get-go! It feels so amazing as an emerging artist to have a support network helping me to create pieces and find audiences.”

Silk Mill, Frome, 8th July & 9th July 7.30pm. Tickets: £10 / £8.

www.cheeseandgrain.com /events/813-the-holland-hankerchief/