ENTERTAINMENT & PERFORMANCE FOR ALL THE FAMILY
Every day, throughout the day and evening
PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME
Around the site you will find some of the most talented and vivacious historians, raconteurs and actors sharing their enthusiasm and knowledge about their chosen subjects. Throughout every day of the festival, they will be entertaining you with a blend of story-telling, inclusive hands-on activities and demonstrations.
WIZZO’S RIP-ROARING HISTORIES
Abs ‘Wizzo’ Wisdom – is a man of many parts: a historical chameleon, if you like, a purveyor of extraordinary stories, an entertainer nonpareil. And this summer he will be here at Chalke Valley with a raft of rip-roaring histories, tales of genius ingeniousness, breath-taking bravery, fatal failures and catastrophic calamities. Charge with the Light Brigade! Ride shotgun with the Dam Busters! Expect props, expect costume changes, expect to laugh and to howl. Expect each show to be a fast, furious and frantic fight against the clock! Most importantly, expect to be exceptionally entertained in his all-new heroic history!
THE ACRO CHAPS
A trio of moustachioed acrobats with a cheeky sense of humour – are back! Prepare to be amazed by their daring, astounded by their bravado, and amused by their sparkling wit. This year, the Acro-Chaps will be delighting us as the Aviation Chaps, dressed in full flying gear, as well as showing off their ever-popular Victorian Strongmen act. Enjoy their walkabout performances during the festival weekend.
FOREIGN FIELD LIVING HISTORY GROUP
‘Living history for those who don’t know they love history’ – so say Paul Bavill, Rory Ware and Kyle Glover, three hugely talented costumed historical interpreters who will be demonstrating martial skills, dark crimes and hidden heroics in a mix of history that stretches from the Middle Ages to the Second World War.
HISTORY’S MAID
With a wide range of costumes, props and period ephemera, Dr Kate Vigurs – a drama graduate and history academic – has spent nearly twenty years inspiring and capturing the imagination of audiences around the country. Kate will be focusing on some astonishing women’s stories from history. These include the extraordinary SOE (Special Operations Executive) women dropped into France by moonlight to fight in occupied Europe during the Second World War; the struggles and successes of the suffragettes; tales of life in the Duke of Marlborough’s army retinue in the early 1700s and the experience of an East German woman attempting to escape from East Berlin to the West during the Cold War.
THE EDWARDIAN ADVENTURER
With tales of derring-do from the high veldt to the jungles of Amazonia, Adam Schuch-des-Forges will regale you with his alter ego’s hilarious (mis)adventures from the Golden Age of Exploration. Danger lurks everywhere for the man who puts Alain Quatermain in the shade.
TIME TRAVELLER’S KITCHEN
Alex Compiani will be cooking Medieval-style, using ingredients and recipes from the Middle Ages and casting fresh light on the culture and society of the day.
MEDIEVAL JOUST – Saturday and Sunday
A headline event for this year will be our show-stopping medieval joust, led by the talented horseman Dominic Sewell of Historic Equitation. He will be joined by Tobias Capwell, who is the Curator of Arms and Armour at the Wallace Collection and an expert in medieval armoured combat. Don’t miss the chance to see medieval knights battle it out on horseback!
