photo Barry Lewis Old Jack Ryan. Kath Tait.

The Pioneers   the remarkable true story of the journey undertaken by the early settlers to New Zealand, told through a mesmerizing musical performance. written and performed by David Leahy - double bass/voice Angeline Conaghan - guitar/voice Ben Brewer - guitar/voice

The Pioneers is best described as musical storytelling and is the creation of the combined talents of vocalist Angeline Conaghan, guitarist Ben Brewer and double bassist David Leahy. The show tells the stories of three of their ancestors who journeyed to New Zealand in the mid 1800’s with the hope of a new life full of new opportunities.
By interweaving the stories they heard as they grew up with musical settings of poems from some of New Zealand’s leading writers, along with a visually stunning backdrop of archival and contemporary photography, the trio bring to life the experiences of the early European settlers trying to create a place they could call home in a very wild and unforgiving New Zealand.

All three artists perform in a number of diverse music, dance and theatre projects around Europe and this is the first in a series of three performances by the trio looking at their shared origins in New Zealand. The Pioneers is a mature and honest amalgamation of all of their influences and is a truly unique performance experience.

New cd available now

This album beautifully captures the live quality of the music performed in the show. Recorded in June 2008 at Stereo studios by Terje Evensen, and mastered at Livingroom (both in Oslo, Norway).

Click the stamp to buy the cd now. Only £10 plus £1 postage.

The Pioneers would like to publically acknowledge the support from the following people and organisations

Arts Council of England (Southeast), Kirsten Burrows (Administration), Alex Clifton (direction), Sally Pomme Clayton (story telling), Ian Conrich (from the Centre of New Zealand Studies, Birbeck University London. for the Magic Lantern Slides), Gareth Howells (direction, set and lighting design), Barry Lewis (Production photos), Helen Maleed (Publicity), Jill Nightingale (patron), Bart and Dirk from Captain Cooker, Fiona O'Mahony and everyone at Farnham Maltings, and to our past promoters and audiences - Thank you

We are very pleased to have on tour with us Captain Cooker.

A truly unique beer combining the best brewing traditions of Belgium with the natural goodness of manuka leaves, freshly picked from the native forests of New Zealand.

for more information on distribution in Europe click here