We sit in a circle, candles brightening the space and the evening begins. It’s like a flower slowly opening, petal by petal as one by one take voice and share their story or poem. Whether personal, imagined or discovered. Each …
Story night Blog
Steve reflects on Growth Rings – Malcolm Green and Josh Green
“An imaginary journey into a real place…”
There’s an author, Patrick Harpur, who has written a history of the Imagination called The Philosopher’s Secret Fire. I thought of him as I reflected on Malcolm Green and Josh Green’s set on …
Martin’s Reflections on Tim Ralph’s “How to Spin Enchantment”
What a great evening. This is not a review but an appreciation.
Tim took us on wonderful circular journey through a series of connected stories. We had drama, humour, pathos, even a chase, everything we could possibly desire.
We were …
Reflections on Emily Hennessey’s “Dog Almighty”
“Listening to the storytellers skilfully tell their magical and enchanting tales, sometimes with music, easily transports me to other faraway worlds.”…
Reflections on Jo Blake’s “A Seat of Softest Fur”
There’s always something special about our December evenings – are we unconsciously thinking of the solstice that’s just around the corner as we approach the heart of Winter? Is it just that we need reassurance when Jack Frost is nipping …
Penny Grennan reflects on “Medusa”
Last night Gary Cordingly returned to his old stamping ground to retell the story of Medusa with a contemporary twist. Peppered with characters, old and new, the story revealed the silence and suffering of women but also, through the introduction …
Chris Adriaanse reflects on “Stories for Interesting Times” with Anthony Nanson”
Friday night saw Anthony Nanson tell Stories for Interesting Times, titled around the well-known ancient Chinese curse, which turns out likely to be neither Chinese nor ancient.
We learnt about the gifts of the Baal Shem Tov and the tree …
Janet Longbottom reflects on Tales for a Summer Night
‘Big Man’, aka Chris Bostock, invites us to travel south of the river – ‘Public transport is good…’ – with the sea on our left hand – ‘Not too close to the cliff, but fantastic views of the sea…’, where …
Lara reflects on Afro-Celt Stories of Magic and Mayhem with Mara Menzies
When a storyteller is in the room, you can feel it. They have a presence that draws people in, like moths to an open flame.
I felt that the moment I saw Mara. She excelled beyond expectations with her fabulous …
Pat reflects on “Blossom Falls” by Nick Hennessey
In March a wonderful storyteller and friend, Nick Hennessy, kindly travelled over from Cumbria to help us out, bringing us arms full of stories and songs.
From the first touch of the strings of his harp we were drawn into …