The Company of Players

The Company of Players is a crazy idea Jess had about a year ago. Inspired by the likes of The Full English, The Elizabethan Sessions and Songs for the Voiceless, Jess set about creating her own folk 'supergroup' made up of some of the best emerging folk artists on the UK scene.



The Company of Players are:

Said The Maiden
Sam Kelly
Kelly Oliver
Lukas Drinkwater
Chris Cleverley
Kim Lowings
Minnie Birch
Daria Kulesh



The aim of the group is to write, record and perform a body of brand new material based on the works of William Shakespeare, to commemorate him on the 400th anniversary of his death. The Company of Players will be spending a week in April (2-9) together in a house in Belper, writing and rehearsing, creating new, exciting works and collaborations together, then recording it and taking it on the road.

A Pledge Music campaign will soon begin running, to help the group raise funds for the project. We will announce when this has been launched. We will be offering you loads of goodies including photos, signed CDs, props from our photoshoot and more. The Company of Players is being sponsored by Looe Music Festival and launching at Bristol Folk Festival on April 30.

More details on the band, and regular updates on their activities can be found on Facebook and Twitter (@shakespearefolk)

Photograph by Elly Lucas