WIDDERSHINS is an ancient word that roughly translates as counter-clockwise. It is also the title of the latest one-man show from the versatile and talented David Mynne, ex-Kneehigh, and now one of Cornwall’s most popular theatrical exports. He brings this new story to Dorset for three dates with Artsreach, beginning on Friday 23rd October at Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall, followed by Langton Matravers village hall on Saturday 24th and Shillingstone’s Portman Hall on Sunday 25th, all at 7.30pm.

In a show that has been described as “a masterclass in solo performance, by turns funny, weird and ever so slightly creepy,” Mynne takes the audience to a long-forgotten village buried deep in a dark, wild corner of Cornwall. Here, Bob Droll (local raconteur, folklore enthusiast and village-hall caretaker) will take you on a tour of a place where mystery lurks about every corner.

You won’t believe the shocking tales of poor ‘”Pity Me” Jose, or of Cryer Bledstone, the sea captain afraid of death … and then there’s Sci-Fi Sally, desperate to leave this world for life beyond the stars. But beware – the deeper Bob leads you into his forest of far-fetched fables, the more lost you might get.

Widdershins – ’tis hard to find but even harder to leave…

Expect stories told with a sting, poetry cracked and darkly comic, unforgettable characters and physical theatre, alongside the usual irreverence, wit and silliness. It will be dark, delirious and delightful. Under Milk Wood-ish, sort of… only way, waayyy weirder!

Widdershins is an exciting original work, scripted specifically for David by renowned writer Carl Grose (also ex-Kneehigh) and directed by Olivier Award winner Simon Harvey.

* The word widdershins comes from the Middle Low German word weddersinnes, which means “against the way”. Moving widdershins was often viewed in European folklore and pre-Christian traditions as unlucky, magical, or unnatural because it went against the sun.