Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical
Short Stories – True Song Tales from the American Edge

Short Stories - True Song Tales from the American Edge is an acoustic solo show from Kiya Heartwood, an award-winning American singer-songwriter. Her songs are based in American folk tradition and tell the stories of some of America’s famous (and not so famous) legends. Within her repertoire are songs about the real Calamity Jane, the last of the great American race horses and a cross dressing confederate. Heartwood’s songs are easy listening, with a beautiful country quality that transports you to America’s folk lands.

Her songs have a personal and heartfelt quality, injected with a good amount of humour and sentiment.

Heartwood’s career in the States has spanned nearly thirty years. She was the lead singer and songwriter in the folk rock band Stealin’ Horses and was one half of the folk duo Wishing Chair. She is now pursuing a solo career, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time.

Heartwood has an endearing personality and she does a good job of bringing her audience into the songs, talking about the history that surrounds each one and getting the audience to sing along. She begins with The Ballad of the Pralltown Café and soon gets the audience joining in on the chorus. Following songs include Calamity Jane; the fantastic country song, Sue Mundy, about the cross dressing confederate; and the lively Higher Ground. While she doesn’t quite reach the raw power of some of the more renowned great folk and country singers, her songs have a personal and heartfelt quality, injected with a good amount of humour and sentiment. These are songs about America’s rich history and the real enjoyment that you get from listening to them is their ability take you into times and places long gone.

Fans of storytelling, American history and folk and country music should get a lot of pleasure from Heartwood’s modest solo set. 

Reviews by Dave House

Space Triplex / theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

Sink

★★★★
theSpace on Niddry St

The Deer Johns: A Journey

★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

Songs of cross-dressing confederates, drunken cowgirls, hell-raising immigrants, Cape Cod witches, and a love story from the Jersey shore. Award-winning Texas singer/songwriter Kiya Heartwood's one woman show, Short Stories, spins true song tales from the American edge. Heartwood is an internationally touring solo singer/songwriter and the former lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for the Arista rock band, Stealin’ Horses, and the folk duo Wishing Chair. Her music is described as soulful confessions, political broadside and a wicked groove. Kiya makes her happy home in Austin, TX. www.kiyaheartwood.com
Buy cheap tickets for Book Of Mormon
Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for Les Miserables
Les Miserables

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong
The Play That Goes Wrong

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Abba Voyage
Abba Voyage

From £67.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Stranger Things : The First Shadow
Stranger Things : The First Shadow

From £37.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Marriage of Figaro
The Marriage of Figaro

From £13.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

From £69.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Brace Brace
Buy cheap tickets for Frankie Valli
Buy cheap tickets for Cinderella Kings Head
Buy cheap tickets for Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist
Buy cheap tickets for Mozart - Her Story
Buy cheap tickets for Pretty Vacant
Buy cheap tickets for Anne Frank
Buy cheap tickets for Marriage of Figaro
Buy cheap tickets for The Duchess of Malfi
Buy cheap tickets for Dr Strangelove