The Artist

One of the UK’s most respected and quietly influential songwriters, Charlie returns to the road in 2026 with Still Curious, a tour that celebrates a lifetime of sharp observation and musical craft.

For this leg of the tour she will be playing with the multi-talented Gareth Huw Davies, master of 5 string Double Bass, Cello and Piano and singing too.  Since their last visit to the Ale House Charlie has released another album, Like Animals and 3 EPs, including last year’s Still Curious, which features the first ever recording of MercuryWings, a lost song by Elvis Costello, written in 1976.

Charlie has written songs recorded by artists as wide-ranging as Tina Turner, George Harrison, Céline Dion, Martha Wainwright, Ricky Ross and Paul Carrack.

She loves songwriting but says “I still have the touring bug, in spades We've always had a great time at the Ale House - it’s a unique atmosphere  and it’ll be a treat to return. “

'Knowing, worldly, delicate...oddly timeless. ' - Independent on Sunday

'Charlie Dore continues to make wise and beautiful records.' - Daily Telegraph

'...beguiling...perfectly crafted songs' - Roots Album of the Week, Independent on Saturday

'...beneath the wit and melody there's grit'. - Uncut

'File under treasure' The Observer

'...impressive, personal, beautifully crafted... a joy' - Maverick *****

Links:

• Charlie Dore's Web Site
• Charlie Dore's Wikipedia Entry

Musician, composer, actor and singer-songwriter and Steeleye Span lead guitarist Julian Littman has performed with Gerry Rafferty, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Pete Townshend, Cockney Rebel, Barbara Dickson and his music has been featured in Playing for Keeps—Miramax Pictures, Lucas, Protocol, 2000 Acres of Sky (Two series.) BBC TV, You and Me (Theme tune) BBC kids.

Television includes: Doctors, The Bill, Crocodile Shoes, Juliet Bravo, The Sweeney, Baal (with David Bowie), The Lenny Henry Show, Hammer House of Horror, Rainbow, Not the Nine O’Clock News and countless plays.

Feature films include: Running Scared, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, Al’s Lads, Mad AboutMambo, Evita, Dancing Thru the Dark and The American Way.

Julian has written songs for Sheena Easton, Sister Sledge, Charlie Dore, Toto Coelo and Philip Bailey.

Links:

• Julian Littman's Portrait in Brian May's Gallery
• Julian Littman's IMDb Entry
• Steeleye Span's Wikipedia Entry

Gareth Huw Davies is a London based double and electric bass player. He also works professionally as a recording engineer, producer, and music theatre keyboard programmer.

Typical work includes Pop, TV, sessions, West End Theatre, Jazz, Big Band, and occasionally classical crossover.

He has performed all over the world, but of course mainly finds himself in concert halls, theatres and jazz venues in the UK, from Ronnie Scotts to the Latitude Festival, and the Barbican to Canterbury Cathedral.

Session work includes: forty-something shows of ‘Noson Lawen’ (S4C primetime live music), Radios 1 2 and 3 live broadcasts most recently Evensong from St Martins in the Fields, the Bob Harris Show, Friday Night is Music Night, and the BBC Radio Wales Christmas Special, West End: Lion King, Billy Elliot, Legally Blonde, Les Miserables.

Recording engineering and production has been recently focussed on a series of discs with Will Todd, but also features numerous other musicians and projects (including running a commercial studio for four years), and designing studio systems for schools and colleagues

Programming work includes all keyboard chairs for Evita (international tour), Cabaret, Joseph, Whistle Down the Wind and Scrooge national tours for Bill Kenwright Limited, Associate on the Legally Blonde UK Tour, South Pacific, Cinderella at The Curve Theatre Leicester, Just So Stories, and the Screams of Kitty Genovese at the Edinburgh Festival.

Links:

• Gareth Huw Davies On Signal Creative

The Ale House is a delightful and intimate concert venue, with warm acoustics.

Despite its name, there are no bar facilities at The Ale House and events there do not normally make alcoholic drinks available for sale. Most events, however, are bring-your-own. Wine glasses are made available.

The absence of a bar also has the highly desirable effect of ensuring the ‘pindrop’ atmosphere is maintained, with audiences intent only on the music.

In the 16th Century The Ale House was a place to serve ale to the parishioners of Colwall after church services. Nowadays, while having all modern facilities, it retains its ancient charm, with oak beams and leaded windows.

It is situated adjacent to St James the Great Church in Colwall. From the main B4218 going through the main part of Colwall, turn down Mill Lane, which is just north of the railway bridge. Go past Colwall Village Hall and the church is about half a mile further down the lane.

Park in the large car park next to the church and walk through the churchyard to the Ale House.

For reasons of safety parking is not allowed immediately adjacent to the building.

Disabled Access

The Ale House is fully equipped for wheelchair access.

There is a pull-in space by the main door at the south end of the building (shown in the picture) for drop-off.