Page 34 - Oxted Local February 2024

34 February 2025 • Oxted Local 
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Since 2022 Bletchfest has successfully introduced
a number of community focused arts events to
Bletchingley attracting support and interest from
the wider area around East Surrey. Seasonal Panto,
Art Exhibitions, music festivals, concerts and comedy
shows have all been added to the events we stage
through the year. Now, in our fourth year, we
are bringing the magic of live musical theatre to
the village! Live theatre can indeed be a magical
experience but travelling to provincial or suburban
theatres along with hefty ticket prices can be
prohibitive. Bringing live professional theatre to
local village venues at an accessible cost adds to
Bletchfest’s support of the performing arts.
In association with Farnham Maltings and Glimmer
Theatre Bletchfest brings a brand new show to
Bletchingley Village Hall for all generations to enjoy
together, featuring a live original score of soaring
tunes and ballads. Sophie Crawford’s The River
Runner tells the thrilling tale of a Victorian ice-skater
using extraordinary skills to defeat a cruel landlord
and set her village free.
It’s 1901 in Isleham village, Cambridgeshire and
Annabelle Howgego is the best ice-skater for miles
around. Once a year, the watery fens freeze smooth
and white and the villagers prepare to race each
other for prizes of bread and meat.
Inspired by accounts of female fenland ice skaters in
the early twentieth century, this is an adventure story
which explores family, female sport and the rural
experience. Glimmer Theatre reveal a community’s
resilience, inspired by the talents and bravery of one
Cambridgeshire woman through live folk music, fine
acting and some beautiful scenery.
This is warm, inspiring storytelling from one of this
country’s most exciting theatre companies and a
rare opportunity for audiences to connect with an
exhilarating true-life story.
Glimmer is a theatre company telling compelling
stories for audiences of all ages, particularly female-
led tales of action and adventure, rediscovering
secret histories of people whose input in our culture
has been forgotten.
The River Runner is touring throughout February
2025 visiting venues throughout the South East
performing at Bletchingley Village Hall on Friday
14th February 2025. Doors open at 7pm with the
performance starting at 7:30 pm. Tickets are just
£10 via our website at bletchfest.org/events. A
licensed bar will be open before the show..
Bletchingley’s Night at the Theatre!