Event Type: Local / Community

Takes Place: 18th June 2025

Time: Doors 6.30pm, 7pm start

Venue: Devon and Exeter Institution: Blue Room

Description: Composer, lyricist and performer Chris Hoban and historian Laura Sangha invite you to join them for a unique evening of history and original music inspired by Tudor, Stuart and Georgian wills. Wills are remarkable documents that often reveal hidden histories – for many people their will is the only record they have left behind. But while they are deeply evocative, wills can also be frustratingly mysterious, a mere glimpse into a person’s life. Chris and Laura have therefore come together to ‘fill in the gaps’ of these documents adopting a creative approach that captures the relationships, light, love and even humour within them - this evening showcases the first fruits of their collaboration in the stunning surrounds of the Devon and Exeter Institution's newly refurbished Blue Room. Chris Hoban is a Devon based composer, arranger, lyricist and performer. A singer who plays piano, piano accordion, ‘cello, mandocello and guitar, he has performed and worked alongside many artists in the UK and abroad. He is also a highly regarded choral composer and arranger for amateur, community and professional choirs. Laura Sangha is Associate Professor of History at the University of Exeter. She is part of the Leverhulme Trust research project ‘The Material Culture of Wills, England 1540-1790’ which uses AI and crowdsourcing to transcribe and analyse 25,000 wills. Chris and Laura’s collaboration has been made possible by a University of Exeter Arts and Culture Creative Fellowship, a short-term grant that brings creative practitioners into research settings to encourage new conversations across disciplines.

How to book: Please claim your free ticket on Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-of-stories-and-songs-wills-as-windows-onto-past-lives-tickets-1382441542869?aff=oddtdtcreator

Price: Free

Email: l.s.sangha@exeter.ac.uk

Lecturer: Dr Laura Sangha

Region: South-West England