Maddy Prior at Stockton Arc

FOLLOWING the hugely-popular 25th anniversary Christmas tour, renowned folk singer Maddy Prior joins up once again with the Carnival Band during the festive season for their unique celebratory show Carols & Capers, which tours to Stockton Arc on Thursday, December 8.

Pushed together in 1984 on a "let's see what we come up with" basis for a Yuletide BBC Radio 2 broadcast, what began as a one-off session in a village hall, in Cumbria, has endured for more than 25 years and has become something of a tradition in its own right.

The 2001 collaboration and fifth album, of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh introduced a good deal of Arabic and African-influenced music into the equation. The next project explored the lives of 18th Century female soldiers and the ballads they inspired.

Of all the festive traditions, few have stood the test of time better than the Christmas carol. For the first time, the very best of these have been brought together on one album. The Best Of Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band contains 22 tracks from across their career.

With an extensive experience in folk, medieval, world and classical music between them, the singer and players guide us to festive finer. Telling the Christmas story in a variety of ways, the likes of I Saw Three Ships, While Shepherds Watched, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and The Holly Ivy are revealed as versatile, striking pieces of music with words to match.

Doors: 7.30pm. Tickets £21.50. Ticket Office: 01642-525199

Viv Hardwick