Neither the Old Rope String Band, nor the Doghouse Skiffle Band - The New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme - 16/12/2005

It was the night for being late - the Doghouse, as were to discover later, were late for the afternoon rehearsal, Mrs something-or-other who had met up with them, managed to miss the first 10 minutes - and Gill & I managed to miss - well, the whole set! I have to put my hand up here and admit that setting off down the wrong road didn't help, but it was always going to be close, but I reckoned we would see the second half of the DHS set. I had phoned the Theatre in advance and was told that there was only the DHS playing, so it was a real shock to discover that once we finally managed to gain entry, Garry was just coming from back-stage to flog their CDs - and they were done for the night. Woe, woe and thrice woe! We retired hurt and sought solace in a cup of coffee before seeking out the band in the foyer and trying to decide what to do. Thank goodness we did! We were soon to discover that, as suspected, the Old Rope String Band would not be appearing, but that tonight was the WORLD PREMIER of the New Rope String Band! The Doghouse were keen to see them, so we sorted out a ticket and were led to a pair of box seats in the rather cosy New Vic Theatre.

In case this is all new to you, the Old Rope String Band was devastated when Joe Skurfield was killed by a drunk-driver earlier in the year, leaving the remaining members, Pete and Tim to ponder on how best to proceed. We witnessed one of their moving tributes to Joe at the Bridgnorth Folk Festival in the summer, and there they announced that they would be seeking to move on in some form or other. We had, as I mentioned checked with the theatre because there was no mention of tonight's gig on the band's website, hence the expectation of a long DHS set - but enough rambling, what of the performance????

We were still in a bit of a confused state when we sat down, and when we did, the 4 members of the NRSB were just getting going - Pete and Tim have recruited Vera and Jock to bolster the line up, and they were quickly into their stride with their new act. Its pretty much more of the same thing, but with new options, new songs, new moves and perhaps even new jokes. It would be harsh to judge them against the Old Rope String Band - the dynamic is different without Joe Scurfield, so the comparison is hardly fair, although it might be true to say that it needs at least 2 people to take his place, and talking to Pete Challoner later, we learnt of many "dark moments" in rehearsals and of their sense of relief at finally getting their act together and out into the world again.

Their work has certainly been worthwhile. The audience was in pleats, there was slapstick, pathos, a great new angle on the old "lets-play-the-accordion-standing-on-my-head-upside-down-in-a-fishtank-full-of-water" routine, some fantastic knot dances and one standout routine which involved a game of musical catch in which Tim gets to play piggy in the middle while the other 3 hurl an invisible musical note around using their violins like tennis rackets - brilliantly timed and very funny. Its good family entertainment too - no strong language and only one lavatorial moment which is so funny nobody would mind. The music is folk - violin, guitar mandolin from the new Dutch recruit - Vera, accordion and, er, horns - no not that kind, rubber bulbed horns from old cars - you'll just have to go see them to find out.

The New Rope String Band are setting out on a brave venture. It will be a hard to leave Joe behind, but even though they are keeping to the tried and trusted format, these 4 will succeed in building on the Old and create a New act in their own way - a way which is professional, well timed, well executed and lots of fun. I wish them well.