The New Rope String Band have come to the end of their tether. The sheer strain of spreading joy around the world for more than 25 years as Old and New Rope has proved too much. Audiences’ laughter muscles have been stretched and twanged and they, too, need a rest.
But, before these ageing folk-cabaret artistes go their separate ways, heading for new and exciting theatrical and musical horizons, they have decided to do a farewell lap of honour, a celebratory extravaganza of their finest routines with some specially-created final flourishes.
An indefinable confusion of superb musicianship and side-splitting comic genius, the New Rope String Band are truly unique entertainers. Elements of circus, clowning, vaudeville, slapstick and sheer inspired silliness are spliced with beautiful acoustic music from various world traditions, in precision-honed yet uproarious performances that have delighted audiences from Borneo’s Sarawak rainforest to the Shetland Folk Festival. Throughout 2015 Artsreach celebrates 25 years of professional rural touring in Dorset, and it’s fitting that the New Ropes should appear on their farewell tour this season, 22 years after their first appearance in 1993.
Expect fish tanks, boiled eggs, fiddles, banjos, cardboard guitars, theremins, explosions, interactive films, drainpipes, mermaids, pink y-fronts, thrills, spills, tears and hilarity.
For diehard audiences it’s a chance to come along, laugh once more and say goodbye. For those who’ve never seen them, wake up, this is your last chance!
Thur 29 Jan, 7:30pm. Langton Matravers Village Hall. 01929 423834
Fri 30 Jan, 7:30pm. Powerstock Hut. 01308 485264
Sat 31 Jan, 7:30pm. Cranborne Memorial Hall. 01725 517883
Sun 1 Feb, 7:30pm. Buckland Newton Village Hall. 01300 345455
