The Storytelling story so far. You can read via the link below how I suddenly realised I was a storyteller. Well you can read it again here too. Repetition being the key tool o the storyteller. I said…..

 

Stuff has happened. People have noticed. Bookings have come in. So I really am a storyteller.

 

I am about to give credit to the Vikings, Ghosts and Way-back-when evenings at Wills bar in York which has got my name noticed. There are of course other factors, The Persula Foundation, York Archaeological Trust, York’s literature development initiative and me loving to talk.

 

Being at Wills Bar has got me noticed. People are seeing storyteller linked with my name and ringing up to book me.

 

I have earlier complained that Jane Stockdale of The Jorvik Festival has completely changed my life. (No really Empress I thank you for all the wonderful challenges) Well no I am thanking York’s Literary Development Officer (or some similar title) Anne Mortimer for commissioning me for my first er well commission. Obviously I have about twelve books that are poetry commissions on themes for children. But now I am being commissioned as a storyteller. Anne came along to Wills (with the coordinator of Yortime) and then net thing I know we are in Artfulness discussing lots of exciting possibilities.

Friday October 6th sees me in York Library on the theme of Light.

 

Stephanie Windsor of City of York’s Education Development Services has since commissioned me on the theme of Water for the River festival. This is now available for bookings.

 

Each section of the river story is represented by a model, favourites are chosen and this creates the order of the story. Thus making it different every time. From lock gates to Merrymaids the story of how a little girl lost her dolly is filled with action and humour. All of the stories are gathered for true experience from barge people and their families.    

 

I have also been working with Emily Harvey of Arts Action York on an ongoing storytelling project that will run through to next years Jorvik Festival; Essence of Journey. Well I say storytelling it is actually a banner project to create a display for the Jorvik venue, but this year is becoming even more interactive with the inclusion of story gathering. Artist Rob Eastman who has filled halls with wonderful community art banners in the past will not only be working with groups throughout the city and beyond but they will also be drawing on the inspiration of story drawn from the participants. We will also create a printable web-book. We are currently applying for funding so any suggestion of funding, paying venues, participants will be gladly received.

 

Jane Stockdale of the Jorvik Festival has commissioned me to create my performances for Jorvik 2007 around the essence of journey and to draw on the stories of our groups. We will also be inviting the groups in to take part in a performance of their work and to visit the displays.

 

Last bit on storytelling a storybook type company has just approached me about doing the voices on their forthcoming traditional story CDs.

 

The early development.

Adrian and the Light