Unique one-man show at Barnard Castle

A NEW one-woman show in music and words takes place at The Witham in Barnard Castle next week.

Lada Valešová is a well-known name in the world of classical music. She appears regularly on BBC Radio 3, has performed in concert halls around the world and her recordings have received great critical acclaim. Lada has also delighted audiences in the North-East, appearing as a guest of Darlington Music Society and in concert at The Bowes Museum with Teesdale-based coloratura soprano Penelope Randall-Davis as part of Songfest last autumn.

In addition to her ability as a concert pianist, Lada is also a wit and raconteur, with a fascinating story to tell. She has developed the show Slavic Soul on a Journey, in which she recounts in music and words her own history growing up in Russia and Czechoslovakia, and the journey which led her to settle and build her musical career in London.

Presented in Lada’s characteristically warm and charismatic style, the show has already been performed at The Garrick Club in London to a delighted audience, who likened her to "a female Victor Borge". Other audience members commented on the performer's ability to introduce some of the world’s most beautiful and exquisite music to them through the words of her story. The Friday, October 17, show starts at 8pm. Tickets are £8 and available from the Witham Box Office on 01833-631107 or thewitham.org

Viv Hardwick