Leela Bunce
Are you looking for a speaker of Old English for your event?
14 Sep 24 - Avalon Archaeology, Somerset - SOLD OUT
13 Nov 24 - Lighthouse Theatre, Poole
16 April 25 - Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset - SOLD OUT
11 May 25 - Somerset Day - St Andrew's Church, Aller - SOLD OUT
28 June 25 - Chalke History Festival, Wiltshire - tickets
15 Aug 25 - Ad Gefrin, Northumberland - tickets
16 Aug 25 - Ad Gefrin, Northumberland - tickets
21-25 Aug 25 - Private booking
29 Aug 25 - Butser Ancient Farm, Hampshire - tickets
26 Sep 25 - Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset - SOLD OUT
26 Oct 25 - Alfred Day, Wantage
7 Nov 25 - Avalon Archaeology, Somerset - SOLD OUT
“A perfectly pitched window into the past, showing us that we have more in common with life 1200 years ago than perhaps we realise”
Nick White, Wassail Theatre
"A fabulously immersive trip back to Anglo-Saxon England presented by a talented performer who blends humour, pathos and scholarship in a uniquely enjoyable experience."
Dr Richard Brunning, Senior Archaeologist, South West Heritage Trust
"I think it was one of the most memorable experiences I've had in a long time actually - I felt completely transported. I love the way we were included in the experience. It was really, really stunning."
Hannah Lefeuvre, Dance & Movement Specialist
“So engaging” Wells Festival of Literature
“...the reviews people have given me are astonishing - not one person wasn’t completely enthralled”
Philip Sharratt, Director, King Alfred Pilgrimage Trail
Audience Feedback
“Absolutely spellbinding”
"Very clever, beautifully performed, great fun"
“It was beautiful hearing Old English spoken with such fluency and heart.”
"Brilliant character, great story, fantastic pacing, incredible performance. Loved the ordinariness and humour"
“It was funny. I LOVED it!” (age 7)
For full TOUR PACK please click here
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Written and Performed by Leela Bunce
"Under moon and under sun, thread by thread the web is spun,
each strand laid our path is chosen, warp and weft our lives are woven"
Step into the mead hall and join us for Kith and Kin - a warm-hearted and delightfully funny solo show that brings the everyday world of a 9th century Somerset woman vividly to life. Evocative, colourful and sharply humorous, this immersive and very unique performance transports you to the lively heart of a Wessex community, where the rhythms of daily life beat strong, and surprises are never far behind!
Inspired by rich historical research and performed in an exciting mix of spoken and sung Modern English and Old English, Kith and Kin is a touching, playful, and powerful celebration of resilience, humour, and human connection. No previous knowledge of the period or the language is necessary. Come and listen, laugh and lose yourself in a world both distant and deeply familiar.
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Kith and Kin is approx 80 minutes long including Q&A, and can be performed with interval if needed.
A 30 minute schools version is available - for KS2, with a further adapted version possible for KS1. Can be followed by an optional workshop. Fits with numerous aspects of the History, English, Drama and PSHCE curricula.
Schools Dates
14 Jan 25 - KS1 and KS2 - Baltonsborough Primary School
28 Feb 25 - KS1 - Bowlish Infant School
28 Feb 25 - KS2 - St Cuthbert's Junior School
10 March 25 - KS2 - St Paul's Junior School
19 March 25 - KS2 - West Pennard Primary
22 May 25 - KS2 - St Benedict's Junior School
3 Oct 25 - KS2 - St Paul's Junior School
7 Oct 25 - KS2 - St Aldhelm's School
13 Oct 25 - KS1 & KS2 - Croscombe Primary School
"Leela's inspirational performance took us all by surprise. From the moment she burst out from behind the curtain as Aelfgifu, the children were hooked! Leela took us on a journey across the clifftops of Wessex, on the lookout for Viking raiders, to singing early medieval songs and warping and wefting with sheep's wool in her Saxon long hall. Leela's ability to blend Old English with modern language was fascinating for both the adults and children in the room and she helped the pupils understand and draw comparisons between Old English words and their modern counterparts. The children learnt so much in their time with Leela and she made the history come to life in a tangible and exciting way. I would recommend Leela's interactive performance for classes of all ages."
Benjamin Balsom, Year 6 Class Teacher, Baltonsborough Primary School
"hearing some old English was a valuable contribution of expertise, which was beyond myself as a teacher. You did a great job...we all really enjoyed it... you brought in variety. Thanks so much for coming."
Alison Major, West Pennard Primary School
"thank you for your fabulous play! The children thoroughly enjoyed it and have been talking about what fun it was and we've had a good discussion about Old English, you're so clever to know it so well! Thank you once again, for a fantastic afternoon!"
Jo Bradshaw, Year 4 teacher, St Benedict's Junior School
