FECKENHAM, although in the Borough of Redditch, is separated from the town by a few of miles of open land – so it seems appropriate that Feckenham village hall should be the venue for a play about our relationship with the land.
‘Hefted’ comes to the village as part of a nationwide tour by Barnstaple-based Multi Story Theatre Company.
Sweeping across 600 years, the story begins in 1475 with a supernatural birth before moving through nine different scenarios to an imagined 2075, in which stories from the past are retold to heal the present.
Some stories are fantastical, others dramatise real events but all explore the notion of being ‘hefted’ – deeply connected to the land.
Multi Story’s actors conjure a score of fascinating characters assisted by songs and a spectacular soundscape, indeed, Hefted opens the door for the stories of rural communities to be shared.
David Lane was inspired to write Hefted by seeing a collection of photographs depicting rural life in times gone by.
A selection of these photographs, which come from the Beaford Archive, will be on display in the auditorium.
Hefted is being brought to Redditch’s rural outpost by Live and Local – the county’s performing arts scheme – bringing Live Arts to the doorstep.
The performance is sponsored by Arts Council England, Worcestershire County Council and Redditch Borough Council.
‘Hefted’, is on Sunday, November 21 at 7pm. Doors open at 6.30pm and there’s a licensed bar.
Tickets are £12 from the Village Shop and The Rose & Crown in Feckenham or book online at www.feckhall.org or by calling 0333 666 3366
