Presented by Van Diemen's Band

Buried secrets, double meanings and encrypted emotions from England's most turbulent century, vividly brought to life by "Australia's Baroque supergroup" (The Australian).

Music can be as simple as a love song. But if you keep digging down through its notes and phrases you’ll find buried secrets, double meanings and encrypted emotions. In the 17th Century, the power of songs to conceal communications and courier clandestine messages was used to spread political propaganda, revealed signs of witchcraft and privately practise banned religions.

In typical VDB style, Cloak & Dagger recontextualises these songs for the modern day, opening a portal into the hearts and minds of people in an age of political turmoil, religious upheaval and social revolt - all themes that continue to resonate today.

Curated by VDB Artistic Director Julia Fredersdorff, this fascinating new program traverses songs by John Dowland, witches dances, hop-soaked protest songs from bawdy taverns, new settings of the propaganda-laden Broadside Ballads, and Henry Purcell’s beloved “Dido’s Lament” from Dido & Aeneas.

Featuring guest vocalists Lotte Betts-Dean (23-27 Oct) and Quin Thomson (28 Oct), Cloak & Dagger is performed by some of Australia's most respected musicians on gut strings and instruments of the past.

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More about Cloak & Dagger

We invite you to embark on a captivating journey back in time, to 17th-century England—a period fraught with political turmoil and religious strife. Click here to read more about this fascinating period of history and how it has inspired VDB's latest program.

VDB Artistic Director Julia Fredersdorff shares her inspiration and motivations for delving into this fascinating period of history.

Partners

Arts Tasmania Aus Gov RAF RANT
Voice

Lotte Betts-Dean (Latrobe, munatrik/Stanley, Franklin, nipaluna/Hobart)

Quin Thomson (Launceston)
Artistic Director & Baroque Violin

Julia Fredersdorff
Violin, Recorder

Simone Slattery
Viola

Katie Yap
Cello

Martin Penicka
Viola da Gamba

Laura Vaughan
Virginals

Donald Nicolson
Harp, Organ

Meriel Owen

Cloak & Dagger was curated with the assistance of Dr Chrissie Berryman.

This project was assisted through the Strategic Touring Fund, an initiative of the Tasmanian Performing Arts Centres.

This project was made possible by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF CLOAK & DAGGER

We invite you to embark on a captivating journey back in time, to 17th-century England—a period fraught with political turmoil and religious strife. Click here to read more about this fascinating period of history and how it's inspired our latest program.

 

FULL CONCERT PROGRAM

Click here to view the full concert program.

Event and ticketing details

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Date & Time

Latrobe Memorial Hall Wed 23 October
6.00pm
Stanley Town Hall Thu 24 October
6.00pm
Ian Potter Recital Hall (The Hedberg) Sat 26 October *Limited tickets available*
3pm, 7pm
The Palais, Franklin Sun 27 October
6.30pm
Princess Theatre, Launceston Mon 28 October
6.00pm

Tickets

Launceston, Latrobe, Stanley, Franklin - Full $45.00
Launceston, Latrobe, Stanley, Franklin - Concession / Friends of Theatre North $38.00
Launceston, Latrobe, Stanley, Franklin - $30 under 30 $30.00
Launceston, Latrobe, Stanley, Franklin - Child (12 and under) Free
nipaluna/Hobart - Full $55.00 Reserved seating - choose your preferred seat
nipaluna/Hobart - Concession $45.00 Reserved seating - choose your preferred seat
nipaluna/Hobart - 30 Under 30 / Industry Allies / Student Members $30.00 Reserved seating - choose your preferred seat

Location

Latrobe Memorial Hall

170 Gilbert Street, Latrobe TAS 7307

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Stanley Town Hall

10 Church Street, munatrik/Stanley TAS 7331

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Ian Potter Recital Hall at The Hedberg

19-27 Campbell Street, Hobart TAS 7000

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Palais Theatre Franklin

3388 Huon Hwy, Franklin TAS 7113

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Princess Theatre, Launceston

57 Brisbane St, Launceston TAS 7250

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Accessibility

Wheelchair Access

Event notes

nipaluna/Hobart performances

Please note - you can choose your preferred seat for these performances at The Hedberg. You have the option of flat-floor seating with direct entry (no stairs involved) or tiered seating (stairs involved). The sound is equally good throughout the venue but this option is being offered to ensure all our audience members are comfortable accessing different parts of the venue.

Duration

60 minutes (no interval)

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