Downton star to narrate at Alwinton

The concert’s music, performed by Fretwork, tells the story of Sir Francis Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe (1577-80) through both the music of the Elizabethan age and newly composed work by Orlando Gough.

And the role of Drake will be narrated by the award -winning actor Paul Copley.

Paul is a long established and much respected British actor and voiceover artist, who is well known for his TV work in Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife and Last Tango in Halifax, and his film roles in A Bridge too Far, Remains of the Day and Teatime in Haworth.

Paul’s narrative for the concert is drawn from Drake’s own diaries of the incredible voyage in his ship, The Golden Hinde.

John Casken, artistic director of the Alwinton Summer Concerts told us: “This is a very exciting announcement. To have an actor of Paul’s calibre and profile joining the Fretwork Viol Consort is a coup and will add a whole new dimension to both the evening’s concert and the afternoon’s free workshop.

The concert will take place on Saturday, June 11, at 7.30pm, at St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Alwinton. Tickets priced at £14 and £12 are available from www.alwintonconcerts.org