Meet the Musicians behind the Calendar: Margit van der Zwan - Cellist

Multi-faceted artist Margit van der Zwan is a cellist, actor-musician, artist and children's book creator is based in Clitheroe. "I work as a freelance performer, and embrace the variety that this career offers: from theatre work, to playing soothing music in hospitals, to leading toddler music groups, to TV and radio sessions, and performing on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury. I'm also an artist and have written and illustrated several children's books. "

In Sam Mendes' Cabaret

Margit reflected on how this Christmas is so different to those we are used to, and also how she's adding some unusual new skills to her repertoire:

"So here it is, Merry Christmas, everybody's having ... to isolate and nobody's able to make much music at all. What a very sharp contrast to past years. For me past Christmases have been about performing with the legendary Roy Wood, acting and playing cello at the New Vic Theatre and playing festive tunes at Christmas parties with my cello & harp duos. My lockdown hobby has been to learn the musical saw: its melancholy whine resonates with the sadness I feel at not being able to play

music with others."

Musician Mums Quick Christmas Quiz!

What will you miss most about performing this Christmas?

Feeling the warmth and love between actors and audience as we put on a great show.

Favourite hymn/Christmas song?

My daughter's alternative version of Jingle Bells...

And what are you hoping for this year for Christmas?

A puppy!

Tell us about your favourite Christmas memory - musical or otherwise?

December is a busy time of year in our household, with presents to unwrap (by my daughter) and stories to be told (by me). First there's St Nicholas who usually makes it over on 5th December from Spain via Holland ("erm ... he's Santa's cousin. Or is it the other way round?"). Then of course there's Christmas and lately we've been feeling an urge to celebrate the winter solstice too (fires, horse skulls, burning your supers... google that one if you're really keen). Any excuse for a party!

What's your favourite thing about Christmas ?

Getting lucky under the mistletoe.

Cheeky! Have you got a hint towards what you're playing on the calendar?

Oh, it's a bit of a DIY job...