Neil McSweeney is a songwriter and musician based in Sheffield, England. His acoustic guitar playing style combines folk, blues and country influences but it is his voice, likened by The Guardian to a male Tracy Chapman, and his direct and personal lyrics for which he is most recognised. His first album, Remember To Smile, was released in 2006. After a warm response from national press and radio, London-based Warner subsidiary Kids got involved for a couple of singles. Neil decided once more to self-release for his second album, Shoreline (2009), which again garnered strong reviews and caught the attention of Richard Hawley, leading to support slots in the UK and Europe.

Neil's third album 'Cargo' is recorded by leading trad-folk producer Andy Bell, and features the talents of BBC Folk Musician of the Year nominee 2013, Sam Sweeney, Lucy Farrell, M.G. Boulter, Brooks Williams, Andy Seward and many more.

“Deeply felt, brooding songs rich in imagery. He has the tools to make a huge impact.” **** The Guardian

“McSweeney is the genuine article. Highly recommended.” **** Daily Express

“Steelier than your average troubadour.’ Q Magazine

“Songs so subtle and well-crafted that you can’t help but be drawn in…they deserve much wider acclaim.”DrownedInSound.com

Tickets £8 Book on-line at www.danarts.org or ring 01606 74502.

Bar at 7.30pm gig starts at 8pm

Tin  Shed Theatre  goes "modern classic"
11th - 14th September 2013  Tickets £9 via www.danarts.org or phone 01606 784442
Bar opens 7pm - Show starts at 7.30pm
Davenham Theatre,  59 Church Street , Davenham CW9 8NF

"A Cream Cracker under the Settee"  by Alan Bennett 
- with Margaret Smith as Doris, aged over 80, who is a tidy woman — and when she suffers a fall after trying to clear up after her considerably less thorough home help, Zulema, she contemplates her life. Alone and injured, she wonders whether the only place left for her in society is a care home which she distrusts. 

"A Lady of Letters" by Alan Bennett 
- with Vanessa Duffy as Miss Ruddock. Irene Ruddock is a working class single woman who is not afraid to speak, or rather write, her mind: she writes letters to her MP, the police, the chemist – everyone she can, to remedy the social ills she sees around her. After one too many accusations of misconduct from Irene's pen, she finds herself on the wrong side of the law and in a new but entirely liberating environment.

"Effie's Burning" by Valerie Windsor
- with Sue Elliott as Dr Kovacs & Angela Orme as "Effie". A local hospital ward provided the location in 1987, where Effie a disoriented woman in her sixties, is being treated for burns suffered during a fire at her nursing home. She appears highly concerned for her life-time friend - Alice. It quickly becomes clear that her child-like quality and reluctance to interact with the nursing staff stems from the fact the she has lived most of her life with Alice in a mental institution. But why was she there? This short play examines the callous brutality of bureaucracy and families when children do not turn out as they wanted. 

LATEST NEWS

Davenham Audition call for our November production of Breathing Corpses by Laura Wade. Audition to be held at the theatre on Wednesday 21st August at 7:30pm.
Click here for details.

Paulette's July Newsletter

Hello folks,

Firstly, we don't yet have a date for an audition for our Autumn production Breathing Corpses but watch our for an announcement after the Summer break.

In recent weeks, after a fabulous production from Physical Folk of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ , we ladies had a fun evening at the Swap Shop which raised £68. Jamie ran one of his quizzes last week, always a good evening enjoyed by all, thanks Jamie.

Thanks go to Pam Molloy who raised £175 from the sale of her calendars and Barclays doubled the money with their £ for £ scheme.  A very worthy effort, - Thanks Pam !

Last week some of us went to the Cheshire Theatre Guild’s award night in Chester as Pam was nominated for best supporting actor for ‘The Curious Savage’. The play was also nominated in another category. Neither won but it was nice to be nominated and mentioned,  as were both the plays we had adjudicated, the other being Barbara Crellin’s very successful ‘God of Carnage’.

While we now take a break for the summer and catch up on those much needed repair jobs there are plenty of events coming up in the autumn.................

Sept 7^th Arts/Craft day- anyone wishing to have a table to display and sell their arts etc please book with me £5 per table. I already have several booked. We will be combining this with a book launch of Mike Beddard’s 2^nd book for children at 2pm in the afternoon on the day.

Details from me- tel: 01606 79779

Sept 11^th - 14^th Tin Shed production of 3 short plays , Effie’s Burning, A cream Cracker under the  Settee, and A lady of letters.

Nov 6th -9^th Davenham/Tin Shed production of ‘Breathing Corpses’ by Laura Wade, directed by Graham Hough

Nov 15^th – Musical Evening with singer Chris Bannister: those of you who liked John Denver will appreciate this talented singer.

Dec 7^th  Cabaret evening Xmas party with a hot supper.

This is down to you members and friends to come forward to perform an item of your choice, you can do anything you like.  We are meeting on Sept 18^th at 7.30pm to discuss your ideas and plan a running order and any rehearsal time you may need.

Get your thinking caps-- no ideas, no party!!!

For jazz events, please click on Jazz
For the full calendar of events, click on Diary.

As mentioned earlier, there are always jobs needing to be done around the theatre. It is an old building and in constant need of maintenance. We have a fantastic person in Arthur who is constantly working to improve the place. Together with Bob and Graham they beaver away with several other members who are always on call to clean, serve on the bar, run events, set up, take down and generally help out.

We need more help. Please offer IF YOU CAN.

Any help will be gratefully received. It is your theatre and it cannot operate without your help.........................  

That’s all for now folks. Enjoy the good weather and have a good summer.

Paulette

Hello all,

 Just an update of all that's about to happen at 'The Davenham Players' in the next few weeks.

 After a very successful production of ' A Midsummer Night's Dream', which played to full houses for 4 nights we come down to earth with a bump and meet this coming Wed for the AGM. Well done to Tom and Flic and to all involved in MSND.

 5th June at 7.30pm for the AGM.  If you want to have say in what you'd like to see happening at the theatre in the future, then this is your chance. Also you will be able to view the proposed plans for a ground floor extension to provide a new foyer and toilet block, which we hope to be able to fund in the near future.

 12th June- at 7.30pm- play reading. Sheila is  bringing along 2 plays, one an all women and one with both sexes.

20th June- 7.30pm- Swap Shop. This is an evening for the ladies[sorry guys!]  Ladies come along with 3 items of  clothing or accessories [bags ,shoes scarves, jewellery etc] you would like to get rid of . You each pay £3  and receive a card with your name on. The items are displayed around the room  for you to have a good look and try on if you so desire.  Name cards will  be put into a hat and drawn in turn to allow each of you to choose an item of your choice so that everyone gets a fair chance and it's not just a free-for-all.  We will do this twice more . If you would like to bring more than 3 items, then we will auction off these at the end. There will be light refreshments and a bar .

 Please come along and support this evening and bring along as many friends as you wish; proceeds go towards our building fund.

 Adrian Sumner is holding a series of Art Lectures on 

5th ,12th 19th   June each at 1.30pm

and 14th  June at 7.30pm  Check the danarts website for more details.

 29th June - at 7.30pm A one women show- ' Sunny Ormonde'[ Lilian Bellamy from the Archers]  Bookings with danarts.

11th July Jamie Morris is providing us with another of his very entertaining quiz evenings £1 pp 7.30 for an 8 pm start.

18th July- Play reading of ' Moonshine' by Jim Nolan

30th Aug- Jazz night - more details later 

7th Sept - Arts/ Craft day 10-4pm book a table for £5 with me.

11th-13th Sept-  'Tin Shed' presents 'Effie's Burning' , 'A Cream Cracker under the Settee' and 'A Lady of Letters'. 

7th Dec Christmas entertainment from your good selves in the form of a Cabaret night . Get your thinking caps on. More details later and a get together after the arts day to plan a programme.

 Hope to see  you soon at one or all of the events.

Paulette.

Thursday 30th May - Karen Sharp plus supporting trio

Karen (sax) has become a busy freelance musician working alongside many top class British and American musicians such as Scott Hamilton, Sir John Dankworth, Cleo Laine, Danny Moss, Alan Barnes, Barbara Lea, Dick Sudhalter, Mark Nightingale and Ellyn Rucker
Karen has previously had a three-year stint in Humphrey Lyttelton’s band.
Karen is London based – we could not afford to bring her band but she has very kindly agreed to come “up North” and play for us. We will source a Northern based rhythm section TBA.

 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM...

This week's play promises to be different to any production of this William Shakespeare play I have seen before. Physical Folk present a community production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Helena loves Demetrius, Demetrius Loves Hermia and Hermia loves Lysander. The Fairies have fallen out over a stolen child and the Mechanicals want to put on a play at the Duke's wedding. Come back with us to the 70s and laugh at the magic, mischief and mayhem. Tickets available through www.danarts.org or 01606 784442