Hello there
In commemoration of 2016 - a year of global pain and dumb decisions - may I offer you:
- the gift of Nonsense - listen to highlights of my recent Music Hall gig
- the gift of Suffering - there's still time to buy my book Human Cargo for xmas
- the gift of More Suffering - get tickets for my new show The Transports on tour (but hurry)
Plus, in this fun-packed newsletter, read about my Parallel Lives project, forming links with refugee and migrant support groups around Britain.
But first, something silly...
An Evening of Music Hall
Give yourself a treat - endure the worst jokes, silliest songs, and a near hysterical audience. Last week, together with Jan North, I dished up a night of Golden Variety at Sharps Folk Club. Here are the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EKBEkpmNec&feature=youtu.be
You'll laugh, you'll hurl - this is twelve minutes of your life you'll never get back. And for me, well, it made a change from singing about slavery and emigration.
(More seriously, I'm keen to bring back music hall. Not fussy and costumed, but good-time singalong that people seem to love. Let me know about folk clubs or venues you think might be interested.) You can also check out this film about The Big Muddler.
Human Cargo makes an excellent present
Only £9.99 and packed with stories, songs and engravings. As people say, the Human Cargo book is a curiously enjoyable way to explore some extremes of human behaviour - and it gives welcome context to today's migration debate. Still available for Christmas
Get your tickets now for The Transports
There's been an incredible response to the news we're touring The Transports around Britain next year. Some venues have already sold out, so you'll need to book soon to be sure of a seat. I've written fresh narrative to link this legendary cycle of folk songs, which together tell a true tale of love and exile in the 1780s. I'll be joining some great musicians like The Young'uns, Faustus, Greg Russell and Nancy Kerr. And with 10 folk singers on stage, you can expect some fine harmony singing.
We start in Cambridge on 24th January, then visit Glasgow, Gateshead, Buxton, Bury, Derby, Exeter, Wavendon, Crawley, London and Shoreham-by-Sea.
I was on BBC radio across East Anglia last Sunday, talking and singing for Sue Marchant on her Big Night In show. Here from 35.30 you can listen (again) to my dulcets lulling the flatlands.
Parallel Lives is taking shape
Alongside The Transports tour, I'm putting together a project called Parallel Lives. For each town we visit, this gathers stories of local people who migrated or were exiled centuries ago, alongside stories of people from overseas who've recently come to live there. The aim is to show migration has always been part of life - how history has long been shaped by the crossing of oceans by desperate people. You can read some of the first stories on The Transports website.
In each town we're also partnering with a local refugee or migrant support group, who'll be in the foyer at the show to spread word about what they do. I've met some remarkable groups like The Hummingbird Project in Buxton, Crossings in Newcastle, Refugee Welcome Milton Keynes, and several local branches of the wonderful City of Sanctuary movement. Do check out their work.
That's it for now.
Go well, as Marie would say.
Best wishes, Matthew
matthewcrampton.com
humancargo.co.uk
thetransportsproduction.co.uk
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