Take your seat at Hannah’s DVD recording

FOLK music fans are being invited to be part of a gig that is being recorded for posterity. 

Singer, musician and innovative clog dancer Hannah James is performing her one-woman show Jigdoll at The Witham, Barnard Castle, on Wednesday, December 6.

The show is being filmed and recorded for release as a DVD.

It is the first time the venue has been used for such a recording and organisers hope music fans will turn out and help create an excellent atmosphere for the show.

Ms James brought the show to Barnard Castle earlier this year and decided The Witham was the right place to record her DVD.

“I performed it here in April and it seemed like the perfect place to make the recording,” she said. “It’s a fantastic stage and a really great set up. It has got good acoustics, a good lighting rig and really helpful staff.”

The show will be filmed and recorded by Newcastle-based sound engineer Ian Stephenson.

Ms James explained that she wanted a recording of Jigdoll as she is about to develop something new.

“I launched Jigdoll two years ago,” she said.

“It’s been really popular and people have asked for a DVD. It's the first time I have done a DVD.

“I am now going to move on and write a new show.”

As well as performing solo, Ms James, plays accordion nd sings with the folk trio Lady Maisery, who appeared at The Witham earlier this month.

Sarah Gent, The Witham’s arts marketing manager, said the recording of Jigdoll would offer members of the audience a unique experience.

“Being a part of the audience means you will enjoy Jigdoll as never seen before, with Hannah presenting her very best performance to be recorded and shared in years to come.”

She added: “You can see how it all works behind the scenes as well as enjoying the show.

“This may mean some re-takes and pauses to guarantee the film crew capture what they need – we cannot guarantee the finish time.”

The Witham is also trialling a new ticketing arrangement. People are being asked to pay £2 to reserve their seat then, after the show, donate the amount they would have been prepared to pay for a ticket.

For more details, contact The Witham box office on 01833 631107.