Catch Human Cargo on the road

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Hi there
Exciting news of the Human Cargo tour, the Parallel Lives project, my new show Living By The Sea at Sidmouth - and yes, my GDPR notice.

Here's Jeff Warner and I last week in Bristol, bringing our HUMAN CARGO show to the wonderful St Georges concert hall. For local Bristol stories, I talked - of course - about slavery, and particularly the ex Mayor Charles Pinney. He lived next door to St Georges and was compensated £16m (in today's money) at abolition. His 1,476 slaves on Nevis and St Kitts received none of this.

In Blackburn, there was excitement in row four when I mentioned William Stirzaker, cruelly transported to Australia for seven years after stealing a coat in 1850. His descendant Lauren was there in the audience, with her dad. I introduced them. Audiences love these moments when the history comes alive.

Human Cargo gets an incredible response wherever we play. Here's feedback from two people at Bristol (who didn't know me before the gig) :'The most interesting, moving and memorable show I've seen in ages.' I Rossi. 'In turns funny, sad, uplifting, harrowing. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening.' J Burnett.

You can still catch the tour at the dates below. Best to book, especially for London. Do pass the word on to friends along the route.

MAY
23 TORRINGTON Plough Arts
JUNE
2 NEWCASTLE Gosforth Civic Theatre
3 BEVERLEY East Riding Theatre
5 LIVERPOOL Philharmonic Hall
7 SHOREHAM Ropetackle
12 EXETER Phoenix
13 DORCHESTER Shire Hall
14 HALESWORTH The Cut
15 LONDON Kings Place
16 MATLOCK Florence Nightingale Hall
17 BEDFORD The Place.
More about the show at my website.

The many local stories I've gathered for the gigs appear on the Parallel Lives website. You can also read about the 25 different refugee support groups we're partnering on this tour.

I'm working with Paul Sartin on a new show called Living By The Sea for Sidmouth FolkWeek in August. It's another feast of words and music - a wall of aural pleasure - delving into communities who live on, by or beside the sea. Performing it will be myself, Paul with Saul and Benji of the band Faustus, plus a specially gathered choir. Can't wait.

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That's it for now. Do stay in touch via Facebook or Twitter.

Enjoy the summer!
Matthew