(Press Release)

THEATRE IN THE WOODS
Theatre Artists hope for good weather to guide the public on an adventurous tour of a trail at Steward Community Woodland near Moretonhampstead on the weekend of the 29/30th. People are invited to one of the tours either at 11am or 2pm.

Artists from Dartington College of Arts, Eve Houston and Natasha Machin are experiencing living at Steward woods. Their role as artists in residence for six weeks has been a great experience for both artists and the members of the community. They have been working in the woods by finding inspiration for making a performance event in the woods. They are inviting people to come along to see what they have discovered in the woods and made into performance.

Steward Community Members have welcomed the art students to find new ways for the public to enjoy the woodland walks and they are looking forward to the events.

The audience are encouraged by the artist guides, Natasha and Eve to join them in celebrating and exploring the natural habitat and stories of the wood, using live performance; poetry, text, installations, music and sound on the walk.
The event is open to all for free, people are invited to bring food and beverages to share as a finale to celebrate at lunchtime for the 11am tour and afternoon tea for the 2pm tour.

The artists are hoping for good weather but advise bringing wet weather gear for the walk, there is a place to shelter if it rains. For an idea of numbers they encourage bookings by leaving a message on (01647) 440233.

Steward Wood is located one mile south of Moretonhampstead in the Wrey Valley. The A382 (which runs north and south between the A30 and the A38) passes the woodland. Exeter is about 14 miles away to the east and Newton Abbot is about 12 miles to the south.
By Foot
· From Moretonhampstead you head south following the road signs for Bovey Tracy and Newton Abbot. You will pass the fire station on your left and Thompsons Haulage Yard on the right. A little while later you will pass Budliegh farm on your left. Keep going and you pass Steward Mill, Steward Cottages etc and a stone butress on the left that is all that is left of a railway bridge. You are now at the entrance to the disused railway track at the bottom of Steward Wood. Follow the track and you will find a notice board containing a map of the woodland.

The artist are delighted to make work for the public and community to see the woods anew and encourage anyone who cant make one of the events not to be disheartened because they have made guide maps, that can be found in a box at the beginning of the walk for people to use and find their own way of appreciating the woodland without live guides!
By Natasha Machin