REVIEW: The Devil's Violin, Appley Pavilion, staged by Take Art on March 29, by Avril Silk TWO days later people in the Ashbrittle area were still talking about this spellbinding show.

Braving terrible weather, the capacity audience experienced a spine-tingling evening of haunting gypsy melodies from musicians Oliver Wilson-Dickson (violin), Luke Carver-Goss (accordion/guitar) and Sarah Moody (cello).

Their virtuosity, passion and talent are astonishing. We were treated to musicianship of the highest order.

Then there was Daniel Morden, the master storyteller, performing long forgotten Roma tales from Wales and elsewhere, accompanied by Oliver, Luke and Sarah to unforgettable effect.

Daniel's formidable ability to create an electric atmosphere caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up and a shiver run down my spine.

He held the audience in the palm of his hand, thrilling and chilling them with his dark, eerie gypsy tales of lust, loss and death, proving that it is not only children who love to listen to stories.

Venue magazine said: "If you've ever been less than taken with storytelling, put the experience to one side and be prepared to be amazed, transported and moved."

Ashbrittle Arts audience members would ringingly endorse that sentiment.

BLOB: It is still possible to catch The Devil's Violin at Neroche or North Curry Village Halls on April 4 and 5 respectively.

Click on the links below this review in the What's On section at www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk for more details. For details of Ashbrittle Arts' forthcoming masked ball on May 3, e-mail AvrilSilk@aol.com

9:04am Tuesday 1st April 2008

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