Before there was carolling, there was wassailing, where seasonal songs were exchanged for money, food and ale. In the countryside trees were blessed, while in the towns wassaillers went house to house with their songs and calls for Christmas treats. Coming from the Anglo Saxon waes hael, ‘wassail’ is a toast wishing good health with a ‘be well’.
In November/December 2023 Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden combine their considerable talents and reputations within the UK folk scene, for the first time ever touring as a duo for a nationwide wassail across key venues. Presenting seasonal, traditional material on a stage decorated for the occasion, they will take audiences back to some of the oldest songs in the English canon, telling Christmas tales, spreading good cheer and lighting up the darkest days of the year, ahead of Christmas Day itself.
NOV
09 Warwick Arts Centre
11 Oxford Playhouse
22 Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
23 St George’s, Bristol
24 Haymarket, Basingstoke
25 Revelation St. Mary’s, Ashford
26 The Stables, Milton Keynes
27 The Apex, Bury St Edmunds
DEC
07 The Brewery, Kendal
08 Stoller Hall, Manchester
09 Liverpool Phil
10 Whitby Pavilion
12 Cadogan Hall, London
20 Square Chapel, Halifax
21 Fire Station, Sunderland