by Tim Nuttall
A community performance of the folk opera Sarah (Life Turned Her That Way) will take place at Withernsea’s Methodist Church this Friday, January 10.
Written and performed by members of the Beggar’s Folk Club Music Foundation, a collective formed by local musicians Kevin Young, Bob Parkes, and Paul Pike, the production tells the turbulent life story of Sarah Kelly, a young woman who was abducted from her life in Kent and taken to Ireland, where she became a wealthy landowner before being murdered.
Explaining the history behind the production, Kevin said: “Back in 1990, while on tour of Ireland with the folk band Sword in the Stone, I was given a book titled The Strange Story of Sarah Kelly, written by Vera Hughes from County Westmeath.
“I was fascinated by the story so much that I contacted the author to ask her permission to allow me to use her book as a basis for a folk opera.
“Through the mediums of song, music, dance, drama, narration, art, video, and photography, we have brought this remarkable story to life.
“Some of the material is of the period (1800s), some is from the wealth of contemporary Irish songs, and some has been written and composed by the cast.”
The performance is free to attend, but donations will be gratefully accepted on the night. To reserve free tickets, call or text Gordon Beastall on 07977 685878. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
