Richard and Elizabeth York
Duo or Solo ... and Major Horton too!
Contact: Richard or Elizabeth York
01604 639581
Heritage Work
We present Victorian music in a variety of ways, and to a wide variety of audiences.
For
outdoor work we use yet more period instruments - some original and some
replica - concertinas, dulcimer, accordion, whistle, period style bagpipes, hurdy
gurdy, pipe & tabor, with songs, stories, and chances for hands-on
participation with some of the dancing puppets we bring. These
presentations can be duo or solo, with the obvious change to duet
arrangements and the presence or absence of Mrs. York’s singing.
A brightly painted handcart provides a great visual focus, as well as keeping the instruments dry!
Indoors,
or in very stable outdoor situations, we can also bring Mrs. York’s
beautiful 1833 original Erard pedal harp, together with our c.1870
folding harmonium, which enhance our repertoire enormously, and raise
the cultural tone most appreciably!
Major Horton may also make an
appearance in his wheelchair - ventriloquially verbose, sometimes
vituperative, always memorable, he’s the nearly life-size figure of a
Victorian country Squire.
Education
Richard presents
work mainly for K.S. 2 school children: songs, music, and much
dramatisation in workshops from half-day, or shorter, to whole day
sessions culminating in a Grand Performance, a veritable cornucopia of
diverse delights. Some sessions include Major Horton, a remarkably
realistic ventriloquist’s figure, in his wheelchair, with trenchant
views on just about everything.
Victorian childhood, & the differences between richer and poorer levels of society figure prominently.
Again, Richard’s career as a full time teacher, B.Ed (Hons., 1st) gives a useful advantage to his presentation skills; Ofsted inspectors have seen his work in schools & museums, 9 times now, and expressed approval.
Adult
education sessions are also given, duo or solo, usually as more
conventional presentations, and not requiring the audience to sing
& dance, unless so desired.
