Theatre comes to Ropery Hall

Arthur Coates & Kerran Cotterell are a two-man trad tornado tearing through the folk world with foot percussion, fiddle, guitar, vocals and groove to spare Mixing Scottish and English roots with modern air they deliver

Foot-stomping tunes rich harmonies and cheek and charm Whether in a village hall or a festival eld their shows radiate connection and joy Winners of the Robinson Emerging Artist Showcase at Canadas Goderich Celtic Roots Festival they re fast becoming one of the scenes most talked-about acts Their upcoming album Controlled Burn turns tradition sideways – storytelling with soul and grooves that smoulder spark and occasionally catch re

Musically they straddle tradition and invention bridging the folk archive with a fearless modern edge Some tracks glisten with clean lines and elegant harmonies – crystalline structures that shimmer in the light of contemporary trad Others veer gleefully o course hopping on the blues train for a whistle-stop tour of the Québécois folk line One moment its reels and foot taps the next its jazz chords pop turns and grooves that could jump the track and land somewhere between Vulfpeck and Le Vent du Nord Arthur a fiddler raised in Aberdeenshire builds rolling ri -heavy tunes grounded in his family’s musical traditions and shaped further by studies with Jonny Hardie (Old Blind Dogs) Kerran a melodic schemer from Cumbria draws on pop and choral training to weave in crisp harmonies and satisfying twists 

A native of the rugged north of Iceland, troubadour and storyteller Svavar Knútur has dedicated his life to exploring the human condition through the lens of his country’s dark and often tragic history and unique melodies and narrative style.
Channelling the angst ridden serenity of long dark winters and the insomnia of the 24 hour glaring summer sun, this eclectic musician has in recent years blossomed into a sublime singer and songwriter. Svavar Knútur’s songs of misery and redemption deliver a healthy dose of hope in the midst of despair. A humoristic storyteller and avid diver into the murky waters of the human condition, Svavar Knútur sows and reaps a unique mixture of art and entertainment.
Drawing upon a wide range of influences, three of Svavar Knútur’s most governing ones are without doubt Nick Drake, Will Oldham (Bonnie Prince Billy) and Kris Kristofferson, although such artists as Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Nick Cave and many more singer/songwriters have contributed to the Icelandic troubadour’s development.

Alex Hamilton (formerly Lewis Hamilton) has become an established part of the British Blues/Rock scene . Gaining notoriety on the back of being a talented young guitarist with skills beyond his age, he has since matured and developed a tasteful and subtle guitar technique that has been compared to Robben Ford and Matt Scofield. His debut album at the age of 18 won the Scottish New Music Award in 2011 and his subsequent albums have all been nominated for awards including the British Blues Awards, several years running. 

Having toured in dozens of venus all across Britain and extensively in Europe with his trio ‘The Alex Hamilton Band’, he has regularly sold out theatres and music clubs across the globe, gaining a following of musicians and music fans alike. In the last ten years Alex has been fortunate enough to share stages with some of the best musicians in his genre including Carl Verheyen, Anysley Lister, Henrik Freishlader and King King.​​

With multiple award winning albums, a strong fanbase, growing online presence, endorsements form some notable manufactures and continuous radio play across the world Alex Hamilton’s music is starting to be heard. 

The grand parade: The songs & stories of Mark Harrison
Mark Harrison is an established, multi-award-nominated singer-songwriter, storyteller and guitarist with an ever-growing reputation for being unlike any other artist out there. He and his band perform all-original songs in his own very individual style, with elements of rock, folk, blues and Americana. He has been frequently featured on BBC Radio, including the Radio 2 Pick of the Week show and the Radio 2 Folk Show, and he and his band have been live guests on Cerys Matthews’s Radio 2 show. He has been described on the BBC as an artist who ‘makes you think afresh’ and by countless reviewers and audience members as ‘uplifting’ and ‘inspirational’.

Mark’s shows feature his memorable melodic songs with proper tunes, and thought-provoking and wry song introductions (which are not add-ons but are integral to the show and very much part of the songs and the audience experience). The songs cover a very wide range of topics of a kind that other people don’t write songs about. He sings and talks about the shared experiences, thoughts and concerns that many people have in their lives today, making audiences both laugh and think.

Mark is widely considered one of the top roots guitarists, with a very distinctive style on resonator, 12-string, slide and electric guitars. Charles Benfield (double/electric bass and harmonies) and Ben Welburn (drums and percussion) form a fantastic rhythm section unlike any other and are hugely acclaimed by audiences. Mark has been nominated multiple times in the UK Blues Awards (including 2025). 

What people say:

•           Everybody should be talking about Mark Harrison (Classic Rock magazine)

•           He takes very real things that happen in life and makes you think afresh about them (Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2)

•           a bit different and kinda groovy too (Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 2)

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

Salt House have been a mainstay on the folk scene for over a decade. The band’s reputation as thoughtful and innovative interpreters of both old ballads and contemporary songs has been solidified with acclaimed album releases and extensive touring. Described as a “gentle, lulling delight” by The Guardian, Salt House blend heartfelt vocal and instrumental interplay, offering listeners a moment of reflection and connection.

New songs that sound like they’ve always been here, ancient ballads woken up. Poems given melodies they’ve long deserved.

Salt House’s sound is influenced by the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, Northumberland and Shetland, the respective homes of band members Ewan MacPherson (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars), Anna Hughes (vocals, fiddle, viola, tenor guitar) and Jenny Sturgeon (vocals, keys, guitar). They incorporate their natural surroundings into the fabric of the music that speaks of a shared love of place, people, and evolving tradition.

More about the band members:

Jenny Sturgeon, who has a PhD in seabird ecology, is known for her introspective solo work and collaborations with Birdvox and Outliers. Through her creative output as a sound artist and songwriter she explores themes of landscape and human connections. Her solo project ‘The Living Mountain’ based on the writing of Nan Shepherd was released to wide critical acclaim.

Anna Hughes, a versatile multi-instrumentalist and composer, draws on her transitory life experiences to create music that reflects forgotten landscapes and the wonders of the natural world. Working across multi-disciplinary projects Anna is a sought after collaborator as well as working with duo project Watersmeet.

Ewan MacPherson, is a multi-instrumentalist and singer with over two decades of experience working at the forefront of the folk / trad music scene. He toured extensively with Shooglenifty for thirteen years, was a member of Malinky and Nu-Nordic Quartet Fribo. His session work includes working with a variety of artists from the British Isles and beyond. His most recent solo project album ‘Hushman’ was described by KLOF Magazine as “…a little masterpiece of confidence and understatement. Wonderful.”

For those seeking a deeper understanding of Salt House and their individual artistic endeavours, we encourage you to explore their official website or connect with them on social media for updates on their music and upcoming performances.

“effortless” BBC 6

“elegant” Mojo Magazine

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

“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”