Tales and Trails

Handmade Productions presents Tales and Trails: Threshold – Bringing the Light

We have been working together with groups and individuals from across Calderdale to explore local folklore of old, to inform and create a 2025 celebration. Join performers from Handmade Productions as they bring stories, noises and lights to streets in Calderdale for communities and residents to enjoy, and delight. Please bring your own light with you too!

FRIDAY 14 FEBRUARY, 4.30pm onwards Boothtown, Halifax

Starting at Boothtown and Southowram Methodist Church and heading to the streets behind the Church around the monument and green space, getting to the green (6pm) with food, refreshments and a warm space from 6.30pm (Methodist Church)

SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY, 4.30pm onwards Cornholme

Starting at Bobbin Mill and heading to Baptist Vale Church via Hirst Street and Harrison Street before heading to Vale Land (6pm) then food, refreshments and a warm space from 6.30pm (Baptist Vale Church)

Travel via public transport if possible. Parking is limited in Cornholme. Please be aware of traffic and other road hazards while making your way to the location and performance

The performances will be filmed and shared on social media and our website. If this is problematic for you as an audience member please let a member of the performance team know

ACCESS

Performances take place outside – please wrap up warm and dry. They are free to attend and suitable for all ages. There is limited use of language and they aren’t audio described. Seating isn’t available and the ground is uneven in places and may be slippy depending on weather conditions. Each promenade performance will go down streets and outside houses before meeting at a central location at 6pm following by a warm space for food and refreshments (not all allergies will be catered for) from 6.30pm. Toilets are only available in the warm space

 

Please get in touch hello@handmadeproductions.co.uk with any questions

On Sunday 16 February from 11am-3.30pm there is also a Family Creative Day in Todmorden at the Former Postal Depot, Todmorden Hall, Rise Lane, OL14 7AA

Come and make light of bringing the light – with storytelling, performance, art and craft activities … and more. No need to book – turn up and stay for as long, or as short, as you’d like (just like folklore!)

Suitable for children aged 5 and above. Children & young people aged under 16 to be accompanied (and assisted where required!) by an adult. Free – no need to book

THRESHOLD

Night falls, and something changes. The threshold of our world glimmers and shifts.

The old folk told stories of creatures and characters, legends too outlandish to believe. Strange noises, mysterious happenings beyond our understanding. It is said that we might catch a glimpse of something magical, if time and place allow. Only the fortunate few will truly see, and then the story will be theirs to pass along.

So join us, if you dare. Look again at your surroundings, with fresh eyes and eager minds. Perhaps, if you’re very lucky, you’ll see something change. Follow the flicker at the corner of your eye, at the right time, in the right place.

At the threshold, when night falls…

Welcome to Calderdale Tales and Trails

What is it?

Working in partnership with communities and organisations across Calderdale we will create a series of magical and memorable walkabout performances. Inspired by local folklore and tales from across the borough, these performances will take place in the heart of communities, with audiences invited to participate in each event.

Music and storytelling will be key to these intimate and illuminating performances throughout the streets and communities of Calderdale. Tales and Trails will be rooted in local traditions, people’s relationships with each other, lives that came before us and the distinct landscape we live in.

Who with?

The performances will be inspired by conversations and engagement with local residents in:

• Brighouse (Focus for Hope)
• Calder (Reach4Ward)
• Cornholme, Todmorden (Calderdale Community Cares, The Lionesses)
• Halifax (Indentity)

We will be working with The Folklore Centre, drawing on their rich expertise in the magical world of local storytelling, myth, and legend.
The Makery and Noisy Toys will be the lead Creative Technologists. The performance will have interactive features and special effects using discarded e-waste. Eco sustainable design and reuse of tech waste will be at the heart of the physical making of this project.
Students from Calderdale College will be joining us for elements of the making process.

Where?

We will bring this captivating performance to the doorsteps, neighbourhoods and community spaces
of the people we work with throughout the project. They will invite friends, family and neighbours to join them for a memorable, bespoke event.

When?

The performances will take place in early evenings in February 2025, dates tbc with each hosting community. Research, design, making and community engagement will be happening throughout 2024.

All good tales – and trails – have a beginning, middle and end … including ours!
Summer what’s our story? EXPLORING: asking questions
Autumn where does it go and what does it look like? MAKING: with groups
Late Winter, as the light starts to return how will we celebrate? SHARING: in neighbourhoods at dusk. We will bring this captivating performance to the doorsteps, neighbourhoods and community spaces, decided upon by the groups and people we work with.

DEVISED AND PERFORMED BY

Sandra McCracken: creative lead and lead artist / maker

Gil Burns, Jonny Quick, Tess Hills: devisors and performers

Steve Summers: noises, tech and music

Bird Taylor and Fiona Gale: costume

Boo Mills: creative intern

Andy Fordham: base / trolley construction

Govi Assano, Danielle Lovett and Mel Daniels: artist / makers

Bella Steer: storytelling

Ben Turner: producer and project manager

Folklore folk and advice: Holly Elsdon & John Billingsley www.folkloremythmagic.com

Clare Danon: exec producer

 

With thanks to Culturedale and all partners / participants

Project supported by

Delivered in partnership with