ENGLISH folk star Maddy Prior is in the area next week as part of her spring tour and this time she is set to take her audience back in time for a glimpse into the life of a crusading king.

Maddy Prior, MBE, has spent more than 30 years interpreting traditional song as well as producing her own material to great acclaim. She has lately been producing extended song cycles on her favourite themes of history, mythology and tradition, including her popular recent album Arthur the King.

Now, in 'Lionheart', by 'Maddy Prior and Friends', she looks into the life of Richard the Lionheart, otherwise known as King Richard I, the 12th century monarch who led the crusades.

She will be exploring his life and that of his parents Eleanor of Aquitane and Henry II in new material performed alongside songs from throughout her career.

Her "friends" for the tour, which comes to both Chipping Norton and Worcester next week, are her long-term collaborators Nick Holland on keyboards and Troy Donockley, who will be tackling uillean pipes, guitars, cittern and whistle.

See them at The Theatre, Chipping Norton on Tuesday, April 29 (box office: 01608 642350) and at Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, on Saturday, May 3 (box office: 01905 611427).