The Somewhen Storytelling Festival will be making memorable experiences for all ages with a host of great storytellers from both the Island and mainland.
The event, which takes place at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway on 3rd and 4th June is not all passive listening and watching. There are opportunities for festival goers of all ages to be active participants, such as: in a beginner’s storytelling workshop being run by the festival’s headliner, Nell Phoenix, you can learn storytelling skills to hold an audience’s attention; you can share a tale in 1 of the several story sharing circles; and learn a Morris dance with Moonshine Border Morris Team.
For families, Wendy and Mike Dacre of Raventales, will be using shadow puppets to tell ‘Here be Dragons’ – 2 tales told in words, song and shadow from Orkney and China about how to tackle 2 very different types of elemental dragon – 1 dragon is malevolent, the other is benevolent, so which is which? After their show, you can have a go at making your own shadow puppet.
Ever popular Rhubarb Theatre Company, will be entertaining all with a show that could have been designed specifically to be performed at a storytelling festival held at a railway station. Their colourful show ‘The 3 Suitcases’ is about 3 quirky characters that meet by chance at a train station…Where is the train? Will it arrive? As time tick-tocks onwards our 3 accidental companions become more and more playful, passing the time in amusing and joyful ways – who knows what might happen next?
Rhubarb are also performing a second show ‘ Bookends’ on Sunday afternoon, in which the book-bonkers buddies act out tales of whales, bonkers bears and manic monsters.
If you are a doodler, a sketcher, an artist or just like messing about with a pencil, children and adults can join Holly Medland’s session on Saturday afternoon in which she invites everyone to draw something inspired by the tales she is telling. Every picture tells a story!
Sue Bailey, one of the organisers of the festival, is leading ‘A (story) walk on the wild side’.
She says:
“Dare you step off the path into the wilderness to hear a tale or 2? This is a story walk for all ages, especially for the brave.”
Many of the events are multigenerational, but Saturday evening storytelling, barn dance and campfire tales are reserved for adults.
Sue continues:
“Storytelling is often associated with kids but it’s not just for children. We want to emphasise that storytelling is for adults too. Nell Phoenix is one of the best storytellers in Britain and her set ‘The girl who married a dog’ promises extraordinary stories, wonderfully performed.”
“Great movies, theatre plays, the best lectures, podcasts and even anecdotes heard down the pub, all rely on stories to engage and make things memorable. Our fantastic tellers and performers will have you laughing, learning, and loving the lore of language, whatever your age.”
Events are programmed from 10:30 to 22:00 on Saturday 3rd June and 10:30 to 18:00 on Sunday 4th. For lots more information and to buy tickets online go to somewhen.org.uk.
Tickets will also be available on the day at Havenstreet. The festival organisers are hoping to provide a minibus shuttle between Newport and Havenstreet. Keep an eye on local media for further details
That photo…? I thought that was frowned upon these days?