Music and comedy down at the manor (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Music and comedy down at the manor

MUSIC lovers in and around Bibury are in for a weekend of exciting musical events on Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21.

On Friday a jazz gig by Oxford Classic Jazz, reflecting the lively musical mood of the 1920s and 1930s, will take place in the gardens of Ablington Manor.

The six piece band with singer Elizabeth May will perform music by such 'greats' of the world of jazz as Fats Waller and Duke Ellington, and the elegant strains of Scott Joplin's ragtime.

Meantime, Laurel and Hardy lookalikes, Haurel and Lardy, will cause plenty of laughs with a cabaret act of mime, magic and slapstick. Well known throughout Britain, they have also performed on the Orient Express and at Universal Studios in Hollywood.

The evening begins at 6.30pm and the audience is welcome to bring a picnic, also chairs or rugs.

The organ recital on Saturday will be performed by Richard Leach, an organ scholar from Pembroke College, Oxford and takes place in the parish church of St Mary. His repertoire for the evening includes Bach, Mozart, Grigny and Dubois.

During his time at Oxford, Richard has accompanied and directed his college choir and given recitals elsewhere in Oxford. In September he becomes organ scholar at Canterbury Cathedral.

A delicious fork supper, which includes a glass of wine, will take place in the interval when guests will be entertained by the Marilla quartet led by Marisa Miller, playing music from the 1920s and 1930s.

The evening's entertainment lasts from 7-10pm.

Tickets for both events from Diane Martin on 01285 740387. All proceeds from both events go to St Mary's Church and Bibury School.