No-one has been saying ‘shhhh!’ to a group of Shropshire artists bringing live music and poetry to libraries across Shropshire. Bridgnorth-based acoustic trio Whalebone and poet Jean Atkin from Shrewsbury have created Understories, based on Shropshire folklore and specially written to be performed in libraries.
Understories includes tales of grisly murders at Knowle Sands, a pig kept in Bridgnorth Railway Station, and rioting ironworkers near Horsehay.
“It may seem strange to bring live music to a library, but it works really well and has proved popular,” says Whalebone guitarist Charlotte Watson. “Attendances have far exceeded expectations, including an audience of 95 in Bridgnorth Library.”
Understories visits Church Stretton Library on Friday 12 July at 4pm, and the team are also seeking folk tales from Shropshire residents – get in touch via whalebone-music.com.