PLAY ON: MIDLANDS MUSICIANS PERFORM LIVE AT THE RSC’S THE OTHER PLACE IN STRAFORD-UPON-AVON
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is showcasing the talent of Midlands musicians in the foyer of its studio theatre, The Other Place, located on Southern Lane in Stratford-upon-Avon
Musicians, singers and songwriters will perform two 45 minute sets, primarily of original music. Performances, which are free to enjoy, take place on the first Thursday of every month in the relaxed and informal setting of Susie’s Bar, kicking off on Thursday 6 April, and usually starting at 7.30pm.
The first five acts, who hail from Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Claverdon and the Cotswolds, are:
Thursday 6 April 2017, 7.30pm – Cariss Auburn
Thursday 4 May 2017, 7.30pm – Alexandra Jayne
Thursday 1 June 2017, 10pm – Autumn Evans
Thursday 6 July 2017, 7.30pm – Richard Fairlie
Thursday 3 August 2017, 7.30pm – Brixton Alley
Thursday 6 April 2017, 7.30pm – Cariss Auburn
Cariss Auburn is a singer-songwriter and self-taught producer from Wolverhampton. Her musical influences range from 80's soul and funk to 90’s R&B.
2015 and 2016 saw Cariss perform throughout the West Midlands and beyond. Described as having a “unique and melodic sound” (Kleva Productions), notable performances include opening for soul legend Alexander O’Neal at The Jamhouse, Birmingham and playing iconic venue The Jazz Café, London, as well as entertaining the pre-show crowds at Barclaycard Arena’s Firestone stage and Genting Arena’s Forum Live stage.
Her debut EP ‘Unphased’, from which the eponymous track was named “standout” track of the week on BBC Introducing WM, is out now along with the accompanying music video for her single ‘Summer’.
Thursday 4 May 2017, 7.30pm – Alexandra Jayne
A classically trained singer, Alexandra Jayne picked up the guitar at the age of 15 and has since crafted her own distinctive songwriting.
Alexandra supported James Blunt’s ‘Moon Landing’ tour at the Barclaycard Arena and has also performed at Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club, Birmingham’s Jamhouse and at venues across the country. Three of her songs are playlisted in 650 Caffe Nero’s stores across the UK. Alexandra recently reached the final of Unsigned Singer Songwriter UK, down to 4 finalists from over 1000 applications.
With live performances on BBC Radio, Alexandra has received Radio 2 airplay and three of her songs have featured as BBC Radio Shropshire Song of the Month, including her latest song, Hullabaloo.
Thursday 1 June 2017, 10pm – Autumn Evans
Autumn Evans is an acoustic folk singer-songwriter currently based in Birmingham. Her lyrically-driven songs range from earthy folk to upbeat acoustic, and pair simple, pretty guitar melodies with a pure and haunting vocal sound.
Autumn gigs regularly in and around Birmingham in venues such as the 02 Academy Birmingham, the Glee Club and The Ort Cafe. In the Summer of 2016 Autumn played Valefest -the UK's largest student festival, and Birmingham's Door2Door Festival.
Autumn released her debut single 'Lucille' with Estime Records in 2016 and her debut EP, 'The Watercolour EP', has just been released on Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp and other digital distribution outlets (Amazon, Tidal, Deezer etc.) and can be downloaded for free at www.autumnevansmusic.com
Thursday 6 July 2017, 7.30pm – Richard Fairlie
Richard Fairlie is a 20 year old singer-songwriter studying for a degree in Songwriting at The Institute Of Contemporary Music in London.
Originally from Claverdon, he went to School at King Henry VIII, Coventry where he was a music scholar. He was a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain for a number of years before following a more contemporary route. During his time at the choir he worked with Marin Alsop, performing Brahms Requiem at the Southbank Centre, and sang at the Royal Albert Hall.
Richard regularly posts videos on his Facebook page with performances, https://www.facebook.com/richardfairliemusic/?fref=nf
Thursday 3 August 2017, 7.30pm – Brixton Alley
Brixton Alley consists of Jonny Magro (Guitar and vocals), Ben Wells (Bass and vocals) and Alex Wells (Drums). The three-piece Indie rock band from the Cotswolds formed in mid-2014 and in the early stages of practising and performing in Leamington Spa, they quickly gained exposure in the local area. Since accumulating a strong following, the trio is now performing across the country.
Described as 'refreshingly original', the band have developed their own musical style; the band's sound has been compared with Arctic Monkeys and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers with a touch of hip-hop influence thrown in for good measure.
Ends
For further information and images, please contact:
Dean Asker, RSC Press and Communications Officer
01789 412660, dean.asker@rsc.org.uk
The Royal Shakespeare Company creates theatre at its best, made in Stratford-upon-Avon and shared around the world. We produce an inspirational artistic programme each year, setting Shakespeare in context, alongside the work of his contemporaries and today’s writers.
Everyone at the RSC - from actors to armourers, musicians to technicians - plays a part in creating the world you see on stage. All our productions begin life at our Stratford workshops and theatres and we bring them to the widest possible audience through our touring, residencies, live broadcasts and online activity. So wherever you experience the RSC, you experience work made in Shakespeare’s home town.
We have trained generations of the very best theatre makers and we continue to nurture the talent of the future. We encourage everyone to enjoy a lifelong relationship with Shakespeare and live theatre. We reach over 500,000 children and young people annually through our education work, transforming their experiences in the classroom, in performance and online. Registered charity no. 212481 www.rsc.org.uk.