Film Postponed – February 7

New collaboration for 2026

Two of British folk’s most distinctive, expressive and highly regarded artists join together in a brand new inspired collaboration.  

Both are celebrated for their deeply expressive musicianship, warmth and the rare intimacy of their live performances. In this brand new show they weave together original compositions with traditional folk music and song. Shaped by their natural rapport and deep musical sensitivity, the experience promises to be spell-binding – with plenty of humour, reflection, beauty and connection. 

Jackie Oates stands at the heart of the British folk scene. A two-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner and five-time nominee, Jackie is an exquisite singer, expressive fiddler, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose work has redefined contemporary English folk. Across a string of critically acclaimed solo albums, Jackie has cemented her reputation as one of our most gifted interpreters and performers of traditional song. Jackie persistently seeks out unexpected artistic corners to illuminate with her voice, research, writing, and musicianship. 

‘There’s a sweetness and melancholy to her voice that is like no other.’ Songlines 
‘One of folk’s brightest talents. Her lovely take on The Longpigs’ On and On should get the John Lewis Xmas ad team on the phone pronto.’ The Guardian 

Belinda O’Hooley is an acclaimed pianist, singer and composer whose music is steeped in a rich musical heritage and draws inspiration from her Irish roots; Belinda comes from a long line of County Sligo musicians. Widely known as one half of the celebrated duo O’Hooley & Tidow, Belinda and Heidi achieved international recognition for writing the theme to the hit television series Gentleman Jack. Belinda is also highly regarded for her inventive, minimalist and sometimes flamboyant accompanying of artists such as Nic Jones and Rufus Wainwright. 

‘Beautiful beyond belief and charged in its performance – this is, from start to close, a stunning album.’ Fatea 
‘Belinda’s playing was reflective, stark, yet full of warmth, and riveting from start to finish.’  Klofmag 

Join Mark as he tries out some brand-new material!

Sony and Writers’ Guild Award-winning writer and comedian, Mark Steel is best known for his critically acclaimed BBC Radio 4 show Mark Steel’s in Town.

Mark has presented the BAFTA-nominated Mark Steel Lectures for BBC Two and is a regular on BBC One’s Have I Got News for You and BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz. He has also written several acclaimed books including Reasons To Be Cheerful and What’s Going On. He has also written an adaptation of his critically acclaimed stand-up show Who Do I Think I Am for Audible which was released in 2021.

Mark has recently recovered from throat cancer and has just released his book The Leopard in My House about his experiences over this rather tough time.

“He’s a man with a passionate desire to communicate his ideas, who is also very funny”  The Guardian

“Steel’s rapier wit cuts to the chase” The Observer

“Excellent standup” The Times

To call Laura Cortese a globetrotter would be to drastically understate her adventurous spirit. Her nature, as a musician, has always been to go where the wind takes her, settling into new ecosystems in which to adapt and grow roots until the breeze blows once more. In these travels, she has found a global network of collaborators, friends, and mentors who have helped her forge bonds and grow mastery in many musical traditions, all of which she approaches with the same reverence and devotion that she felt when picking up a fiddle for the very first time as a young child.

Now, more than twenty years into her already impressive career, she makes her home in Ghent, Belgium, where she continues to do what she does best: building musical community. Along the way, she developed a new solo show based on original American folk songs, inspiring a new solo album coming out on Compass Records in 2026. When Laura is alone on the stage, the audience becomes her band, stamping and clapping like a kick and snare drum, sometimes singing along sweetly and occasionally reminiscent of an enthusiastic gang vocal. She can be found performing internationally, exploring, and exalting in her passion for American roots music.

Performing songs from their new album The Shieling. Folk, Americana & Blues.
Following a run of intimate duo performances in California, Sarah Gillespie and Chris Montague retreated to a cottage on the shores of Loch Fyne, Scotland, to record a new stripped-back duo album.  The home they recorded in is called The Shieling. Drawing on folk, Americana, blues and Beat-inspired poetry, Sarah Gillespie’s songs combine sharp observation with lyrical storytelling. A published poet whose songwriting has drawn comparisons with Bob Dylan, Gillespie is known for her incisive writing, wry humour and dynamic live performances. Alongside her, renowned composer and guitarist Chris Montague’s maverick musicianship on electric and acoustic guitar, pedal steel and mandolin adds nuance, and a rich sonic palette to the music.

Sarah Gillespie is a critically acclaimed Anglo-American songwriter described by The Guardian as “an incandescent presence with superior lyrics,” as like “Dylan on amphetamines” by the Times , as a “beat poet adventurer.” MOJO.” She has toured internationally for 15 years playing leading venues and festivals as well as appearing on BBC arts and culture programs like Woman’s Hour and Loose Ends.

Chris Montague is one of the UK’s most distinctive guitar voices. He has been called: “The UK’s greatest jazz guitarist since John McLaughlin” (Marlbank) “Rootsy, adventurous… like Tom Waits guitarist, Mark Ribot” (Jazzwise) and received plaudits from Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Known for his adventurous harmonic palette and improvisational fearlessness, Montague co-wrote five tracks on Gillespie’s last album and brings an edge of rawness and unpredictability to the duo’s live show.

Like Dylan on amphetamines. The Times ★★★★
Beat poet adventurer who strays beyond the realm of singer songwriter .MOJO ★★★★
Yearningly pretty and bittersweet. The Independent ★★★★★
Gillespie is an original’ The Guardian ★★★★
Montague can be both mesmerizingly tender and stingingly explosive – Jazzwise
Montague is ruggedly innovative – The Guardian

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

A drink, a fight and tales through the night of piracy, slavery and the world encompassed…

1604, and the Pelican Tavern stands at the edge of the Thames near Execution Dock.

Here, a former sailor serves a last quart of ale to those found guilty of piracy, before they hang at the scaffold from a shortened rope.

Whilst he waits, he recounts his travels and tales of time spent at sea serving under Sir Francis Drake; the Circumnavigation, the massacre at Rathlin Island, his own questionable career on the seas… and his dog.

Written and performed by actor and playwright Nick Wilkes – thirteen generations distant from Sir Francis Drake himself.

A Malvernbard production in association with Stratford Theatre Company, directed by Jon Legg.

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

Another world first for Ropery Hall! Snake and Neil have been friends and collaborators for decades but have never performed before as a duo. They’re scheming, dreaming and experimenting, and cooking up a wonderfully diverse set.

Neil has for some years been the bass player with Queen! Not a pretend Queen but the real thing! Perhaps we’ll get some insights….. Other credits include Hamish Stewart, Billy Cobham, Omar Puente, Elio Pace, Chris While and Julie Matthews….

Expect classy melodies, wonderful playing and perhaps some spicy banter….