The Ickney ~

We came to the Heath
Hand wrapped and numb
Beat,

Waiting through water for
The offering;

A pardon given for my ignorance,

Ours for the fire let only inside,
And waited in the Circle.

To the north a hearty salutation
No less the east, west and south,

A green air waiting with pulse
As hammers,

I had never felt to close my eyes,

The spoken void now seen to me,

All time waiting in the turn of a head,

The horse stepped out from the reign,

The dead present too like sentinel trees bowing silver silent in the half gloom,

My girl muttering the invocation in

A daze and there the horse rode our hearts towards the Circle.

Ten hands tall and bone, he looked at me, chose me to not choose,

And strode like a fighter from the dead ground we had opened.

Opened he was challenged, with virtues spoken,

beaten back to bless the year in defeat,

By green bough shining hopeful and the year to come growing
From our shaking feet.

~

The Blacksmith Who Chased The Moon ~ Stuff of Dreams Theatre Review

The New Cut at Halesworth is a modern and spacious venue that is currently housing 'Stuff of Dreams' Christmas show, 'The Blacksmith who Chased the Moon'. Adapted from 'The Night Before Christmas' by Gogol and placed in Suffolk, Stuff of Dreams merge classic story telling with contemporary references to create a delightful and detailed theatre piece, with a strong cast working together. The emphasis is on ingenious stagecraft. Fight sequences are vivid circus moves, journeys across the moonless landscape take place with mime and decisive characteristics, sound effects are simple guitar strums. I was delighted also with the synergy of the costumes, which were very beautiful and exciting. The set was unobtrusive and effective, allowing the focus to fall on the action. There are notable performances, namely Thomas Wingfield as Fabian, the titular Blacksmith, whose moments of physical comedy are balanced well with pathos. Steve Peck as the Devil began slowly but quickly gained momentum as he tricks the characters and plays with the audience; Ben Elder as Darwin was commanding (including a very funny moment as a towns person) whilst Cicely Long was diverse and proficient in her roles: a warm friend and a very amusing wife. The cast came together well, with beautiful and sublime singing at the opening and closing of the play. Cordelia Spence's direction is fast and intricate, working with Anthony Cule's very expansive script. I felt that the diatribe could have afforded a tighten in places, but be in no doubt that it is a very accomplished adaptation to Gogol's famous tale. The pace is quick and well choreographed and you really never know what is next. One thing is sure, you will laugh out loud and leave the theatre feeling good. I was pleased that we weren't subjected to an empty popularist Christmas message. This is a company that cares deeply about their art and has the expertise to do that passion justice. 4/5 Performing 2nd/3rd January 2016 The New Cut Halesworth