The Rag Animals

At a pub folk jam, a story is being told.

It bends and shifts as audience and musicians alike stoke its fire.The story is "The Rag Animals", an exploration of belonging in a time of extraction. "The Rag Animals" is a radical contemporary classical piece which explores folk traditions including British Morris, Gule Wamkulu (Malawian and Zambian Traditions), and the Anishinaabe Thanksgiving Address.

Its central character, a mysterious beast called "plastic head", asks how these traditions maintain connection to land and community despite the extractive systems imposed by the "rich man".

Audience participation becomes part of the work, continuing the folk tradition of music evolving as it is shared.The piece comprises of notated music alongside facilitated audience participation, performed by a 5-piece multi-instrumentalist ensemble (Vocals; cello; piano/baritone saxophone/clarinet; flute/recorder; percussion/bass).

The performance weaves composed material with stories, musical ideas and contributions offered by the audience, guided by the ensemble all of whom are experienced facilitators.This is music written in a time when communities are increasingly disconnected from each other and from the land, due to the demands of survival.

This piece turns to folk traditions to revitalise connection — musically and socially — through a performance created with and for the community.Developed with thanks to Saddleworth Women's Morris, Oldham Coliseum and Phoenix Rousiamanis