Dispatches on the Red Dress : Film Premiere & Post Show Talk

Unravelling the joy and pain from a story of her grandmother’s youth in 1940's Germany, Rowan celebrates small acts of resistance and boldly asks a troubling question for our times: can hope for our future be found in the very darkest pockets of our history?

Rowan Rheingans is an award-winning fiddle player, banjoist, songwriter and theatre-maker widely regarded as one of the foremost innovators in folk music today. Best known for her work with acclaimed bands Lady Maisery, The Rheingans Sisters and Songs of Separation, Rowan is winner of two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (‘Best Original Track’ in 2016 & ‘Best Album’ in 2017) and is a six-times nominee. Her duo The Rheingans Sisters were nominees for the prestigious ‘Best Duo/Band’ award at the the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. 

Her debut theatre show Dispatches on the Red Dress, co-written with Liam Hurley, premiered at 2019's Edinburgh Fringe and won a Fringe First Award as well as nominations for the Carol Tambor 'Best of Edinburgh' Award and the Filipa Braganca Award for Best Emerging Female Artist. Rowan's solo album The Lines We Draw Together is a companion to Dispatches on the Red Dress and was released in 2019 to wide-spread critical acclaim including a four-star lead review in The Guardian.

"Sublime...a narrative stitched with the subtlety of an expert dressmaker...celebrates family, nature and the ties that bind and goes on to pack a fierce political punch." The Guardian (Folk Album of the Month) * * * *

"Utterly spellbinding singing and narration... and as the red dress’ true origin unfolds, the revelation will leave you quietly breathless” The Scotsman * * * * *

"Classy anti-fascist art" Edinburgh Festivals Magazine * * * *

Filmed live in Feb 2021 at The Witham, Barnard Castle. 

Join Rowan live after the show for a post-show talk, with special guests TBC.