Ruby and her horses

Talking, singing and a Powerpoint projection...
It turned out to be a special evening at the Old Buckenham village hall. The aim was to raise some funds towards the money needed to improve and update the stage lighting in the hall. The Old Buckenham Players had arranged for a performance of ‘Ruby and her Horses’ by the Bumpstead Boys.

Neil Lanham had brought along his own soapbox to stand on while he told true stories based on his family history, particularly that of his mother Ruby. Neil is a natural storyteller and conveyed the harsh times that his family lived through without being too sentimental. His speaking was supported by a wonderful collection of old photographs projected on a large screen, a successful marriage of old and new technology. At appropriate moments in the storytelling, Neil’s place on the soapbox was taken by Andrew Stannard who performed unaccompanied folk songs that fitted in to the narrative and reinforced both the mood and the message.
The two hours flew by, the audience did their bit by joining in the choruses of the songs and the interval was enhanced by cakes provided by Old Buckenham WI. If you missed coming along to this performance, keep your eyes open as the Bumstead Boys will be talking and singing around the village halls and churches of Suffolk and Norfolk throughout 2011.