From the team that brought you Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways...

One Act abandoned a canal, another brought new (if rather unorthodox) activity to another. A double bill from two of the waterways best loved storytellers, Heather Wastie and Kate Saffin.

In 1939 an Act of Parliament legally abandoned the, now fully restored, Droitwich Canal. And after the war a couple of enterprising women discovered that no-one had got round to repealing an 18th century law that allowed a brothel on a boat…

In The Muck and Shovel Brigade, follow the life, and near death, of the Droitwich as volunteers campaign, cajole and labour for over fifty years to bring it back into use after the Act of Parliament in 1939 that had legally abandoned it. A moving tale of reeds and brambles, wellies, anoraks and mud up to your knees.

“Brilliantly moving, funny and informative.” Cathy Mager, Artistic Director, The Ring Project

A boat, a brothel and a long forgotten law… It all adds up to some pretty racy goings on in Wolvercote on the Southern Oxford. Another Act of Parliament, passed in the early 18th century, but never repealed, allowed a brothel on a boat – as long as there were no more than two customers on board at any one time! Based on an allegedly true story, The Mary Rose – a boat of ill repute tells a tale of two women who weren’t breaking the law - which did not amuse the local Oxford constabulary…

Kate is well known for her ability to play several characters in quick succession, and if you’ve seen Heather before you know there’ll be songs. And you’ll be joining in!