THE CHRISTIANS, JOHN COOPER CLARKE, ROBIN INCE AND MORE

Lots of exciting additions to the Wychwood line-up to tell you about.

Band news

More bands have been announced. They welcome The Christians who will be playing their soul-inspired hits on the mainstage on Sunday; hits that include Forgotten Town, Born Again, When the fingers point, Ideal World, Perfect Moment and many more.They also welcome world music favourites Baka Beyond and Baraka to the Big Top on Sunday; After 19 years of mixing African and Celtic music in equal measures Baka have become one of the most danceable bands around, taking inspiration from their unique relationship with the Baka Pygmies of Cameroon. Baraka fuse musicians from Ghana, Senegal, Dominica and Northern and Southern Ireland into a wonderful blend that is experimental, innovative and wonderfully entertaining.

On their wish list for a number of years, they are delighted to welcome Punk poet John Cooper Clarke to the Big Top on Saturday. John’s biting, satirical poetry has entertained audiences since the 70′s. Over the years he has opened for bands such as the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, The Fall, Joy Division and Elvis Costello. John’s popularity is as strong as ever as he continues to produce fantastic new material.

Also playing on Saturday, as part of their collaboration with the French Music Office, will be The Titi Robin Trio. Thierry “Titi” Robin has created a musical world for himself by drawing musical influences from gipsy and oriental cultures. Adding to their collection of fantastic French acts on Sunday will be Chapelier Fou, who has gained a reputation as an outstanding acrobat on stage as well as an outstanding musician. His debut album ’613′ has been described as “Mad, mysterious, bewitching, as strange as implacable”. This genial electronic fiddler and violin virtuoso has been playing remarkable performances on French stages, so we are delighted to welcome him to Wychwood.

Comedy Update

Comedy legend Robin Ince will be making a welcome return Wychwood this summer. Robin started his comedy career as a writer, working on shows including Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression, V Graham, Norton and Meet Ricky Gervais, his first of many collaborations with Gervais. He has been part of several successful Edinburgh fringe shows and regularly supports Gervais on tour.

Joining Robin on the comedy stage will be well-known writer and comedian Ray Peacock. As well as headlining at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for several years, Ray has compered and written several shows for the BBC. Ray is also an accomplished actor and has appeared in shows including Comedy Lab, Doctor Who and the 11 O’clock Show.

Emerging comedienne Iszi Lawrence is one to look out for in the comedy tent. The awkward atheist poses a lean figure onstage that is counterbalance to the crackle of intelligent, silly jokes that drum through her. Radio credits include appearances on BBC Radio 1?s The Milkrun and BBC 7 as a BBC New Comedy Award semi-finalist. Matt Richardson has also been added to the comedy line-up. At just 19, Matt is a young starter, who has regularly proved that he can cut it with the big boys, being a finalist and winner of several comedy awards.

Workshop News

Their workshop venues are busily being crammed with wonderful things to do for all ages. The latest update from Workshops HQ tells us that new for 2011 will be (take a deep breath!):

In the Dance venue…Carnival Dance with ‘World Jungle’, Lindy Hop, Jazz Dance, Flamanco, Zumba and Bhangra Dance. In their intimate new workshop venue…’Cameo Stars’ drama and performing workshops for kids, Stories, Games and Kids Yoga with ‘Peas In A Pod, Funky music for Funky Kids with Myles Granger, Board Games workshops and ‘Last Shop Standing’ – stories of the decline of the record shop.

Lots of new performances too…..Puppet shows by Tallulah Swirls, Punch and Judy by Professor Collywobbles and Magic and Ventriloquism from ‘Ace of Diamonds’

And in the Making venue…..Junk4Funk – making musical instruments from junk, Withy Lantern Making, Fantastic Hats, Bracelet Making, A giant Wychwood Mural, Paper Dragons and Grafitti …..and also Trashion (making fashion from trash) and Den Making with the Playrangers

Not forgetting of course some of their most popular workshops over the years they welcome back: Belly Dance, The Inta Africa Drum Circle, Musiclab Open Mic Sessions, Ukelele workshops and performances, Mosaic making, Pilates, Early Morning Yoga, Our Fantastic Circus Workshop, Clay Sculpture, Face Painting and Trapeze workshops!

Sourced from wychwood 2011