World class performers Collister & Fix to appear at Ropery Hall

A gig by two world class performers awaits music lovers at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall when Christine Collister and Michael Fix perform  a fabulous journey of powerful songs taken from classical, blues, jazz, country, rock and folk with some additional original material added to the mix.

The duo’s appearance at the Maltkiln Road venue coincides with the launch of a brand new CD, North & South.

 “Be prepared to be mesmerised by the astonishing combination of their talent, experience and natural stage presence as they skilfully move through the whole gamut of human emotion,” said Liz Bennet of The Ropewalk. “They promise to have you crying, laughing and tapping your toes in equal measure and will leave you feeling totally up-lifted and full of hope!”

 Their performances strike a wonderful balance between their unique arrangements of timeless melodies of popular tunes and their own unforgettable compositions,” she added.

 Christine and Michael’s paths first crossed in 2014, when they tutored at the Winterbreak Music Retreat in Australia.  Combining her voice with his guitar playing was a no brainer in terms of talent and temperament, and the Collister & Fix duo was born.  She draws her inspiration from the Celtic mysteries of the Isle of Man, in the middle of the Irish Sea. He has both the coast of Australia and a European heritage in his blood.

Collister & Fix’s combined talents, passion for music and overall love of life are a delight for any audience to witness.  Their performances strike a wonderful balance between their unique arrangements of timeless melodies of popular tunes andtheir own unforgettable compositions.  Well-loved repertoire from contemporaries such as Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, the Beatles and Bonny Raitt are represented alongside classic ballads of Ewan MacColl and Declan O’Rourke.

After touring Australia in 2017 and 2018, the duo made its UK debut with a series of performances in October 2017 and again in November 2018 and appear this month at Ropery Hall as part of a three week tour.

Over the years, Christine has shared the stage with Martin Simpson, Bonnie Raitt, The Bangles, Richard Thompson and Loudon Wainwright III and currently has a thriving solo career while Michael is widely acclaimed as one of the world’s finest acoustic guitarists.  He has won three Golden Guitars and numerous other awards in

Australia, and  is also an internationally recognised composer.

Collister & Fix will be playing at Ropery Hall on Friday, October 18, starting at 8pm.  Advance tickets, that can be bought online at www.roperyhall.co.uk, in person from The Ropewalk’s Craft Gallery, or by calling 01652 660380, cost £14 with tickets on the door costing £16.

 

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Eleanor McEvoy

“Bathed in the gentle glow of a solitary spotlight, she steps onto a stage set with a range of instruments. She picks up her electric guitar and walks to the microphone.
What follows has been entrancing audiences around the world for decades.”

Renowned Irish singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy returns to the UK in November 2026 with It’s Good to Be Here – a warm, witty and uplifting concert celebrating the simple joy of being alive.

Best known for her world-renowned hit “A Woman’s Heart”, the title track to the biggest-selling Irish album of all time, McEvoy’s live performances are celebrated for their intimacy, storytelling and musicianship.

Her songs have been described as “touching, inspiring and consoling thousands” (The Guardian) and have featured regularly on screen and TV, including in the cult classic series Derry Girls. Her works have been covered by numerous artists, including Emmylou Harris Jack L, Emma Langford, Derek Ryan, Saint Sister and  Mary Black.

With a career that has taken her from the world’s biggest stages to intimate, candle-lit rooms, her onstage presence is both deeply engaging and refreshingly human. Audiences across the globe are moved by songs such as South Anne Street, The Spanish Word for Heart, Sophie, Scarlet Angels, Harbour, and, of course, A Woman’s Heart – music that continues to resonate long after the final note fades.

 “I can’t wait to get back to the UK, I’ve been loving the concerts over there these last few years. There’s a palpable warmth and humour in the venues each night; it feels like we’re all in it together. With everything the world’s going through right now, it really does feel good to be here… and even better to be there!”

Expect a night of joy, connection, and stunningly crafted songs from one of Ireland’s most distinctive musical voices.

Irish Times  “A lone performer plying a singular trade with considerable élan”

New York Times “McEvoy has the skills of a first-rate songwriter”

By Richard |

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Eddi Reader and her husband, John Douglas, are back on the road as a duo again. Following last year’s highly successful tour, they are touring the country again in May/June 2026. This time, as promised, they have their newly recorded debut album, as a duo, to play for you.

The shows will feature songs from the new album, some songs from both Eddi & Johns rich and varied catalogue, as well as a few surprises. Eddi & John will rely on their voices, guitars, ukulele, autoharp & concertina to bring the songs to life. Each night will have its own special, spontaneous vibe of song & storytelling. Come along and see what these two very special artists create together.

Eddi Reader – Award winning solo Singer Songwriter.
John Douglas – Songwriter/Guitarist with Scottish band The Trashcan Sinatra’s and solo singer/songwriter

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THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE

By Robert Louis Stevenson
Adapted and performed by Mark Stratford


‘Jekyll and Hyde’ – a mystery tale about the timeless conflict between good and evil – caused a sensation when it was published in 1886. In this highly acclaimed, gripping solo play, Mark Stratford offers a compelling and faithful adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic classic.

In fog-bound Victorian London, Gabriel Utterson works as a respectable lawyer. Concerned by a strange clause in his friend Henry Jekyll’s will, Utterson investigates the sinister Edward Hyde – Jekyll’s unlikely protégé. Convinced that Jekyll and Hyde’s relationship is founded on blackmail, Utterson embarks on a quest to learn more but, as he does so, finds the truth to be far worse than he could have ever imagined…

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Marcus Brigstocke: Vitruvian Mango

What are men for? Most heavy things can be lifted by machines and most problems can be solved by computers and most puddles can be crossed without us gallantly draping our capes over them – so are we fellas of any use at all?

Award winning MAN Marcus Brigstocke thinks we might still serve some useful function. But what is it? This new tour show will resolve the entire issue once and for all (in a non-patriarchal, open minded, progressive sort of way).

DaVinci’s Vitruvian Man is the image of the ideal male form. Marcus’ Vitruvian Mango is the same, but sweeter, softer, seasonally available and, when ripe, delicately perfumed.

‘… charming, hilarious and utterly refreshing…’  The Sunday Mirror

Sharpest one-liner merchant”  The Sunday Times

 “If you haven’t seen him live, then you haven’t seen him at his very best”  The Mirror

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TWICE KNIGHTLY

A celebration of the glory days of Variety

Freddie Francis has been a second spot comic for thirty years touring the country on every variety bill going. We find him in 1956 recalling his life spent touring the halls; the ups, the downs, the riotous, the fantastic and the downright silly!

He recalls his days entertaining the troops during the war, playing at the infamous Glasgow Empire, and we discover what really happened when a speciality act lost her snake on stage!!

Ultimately Twice Nightly is a fading memory of the variety stage. The death of something that has been part of everyone’s life for decades is now on the decline. Where will Freddie go when he finishes this tour?  Who will he go back to, and ultimately who really cares?

Twice Nightly also includes routines from amongst others: Max Miller, Rob Wilton, Jimmy James and Norman Evans and renditions of many of the popular songs of the time, such as The Man Who Broke The Bank at Monte Carlo, Happy Days Are Here Again and Goodnight Sweetheart.

This performance is part of our Members’ 241 Offer. Please ask for details.

By Richard |

TWICE NIGHTLY

A celebration of the glory days of Variety

Freddie Francis has been a second spot comic for thirty years touring the country on every variety bill going. We find him in 1956 recalling his life spent touring the halls; the ups, the downs, the riotous, the fantastic and the downright silly!

He recalls his days entertaining the troops during the war, playing at the infamous Glasgow Empire, and we discover what really happened when a speciality act lost her snake on stage!!

Ultimately Twice Nightly is a fading memory of the variety stage. The death of something that has been part of everyone’s life for decades is now on the decline. Where will Freddie go when he finishes this tour?  Who will he go back to, and ultimately who really cares?

Twice Nightly also includes routines from amongst others: Max Miller, Rob Wilton, Jimmy James and Norman Evans and renditions of many of the popular songs of the time, such as The Man Who Broke The Bank at Monte Carlo, Happy Days Are Here Again and Goodnight Sweetheart.

This performance is part of our Members’ 241 Offer. Please ask for details.

By Richard |