Tales from the Undercroft - Our first gathering

On Wednesday the 7th of September we held our first storytelling gathering and had a good audience, many of whom wanted to tell. Such is our fame that we even had Ana Lines, a story teller who came to us all the way from Brazil (Via Stafford where she nows lives)

Ana Lines

Ana told two stories. The first a very relavent tale about a King, a man with many jobs and a City facing great change. The second,  about the Botu (not sure on spelling)  and how he chooses  a wife - Both with a wonderful warmth,  a twinkle in the eye and with what one audience member called a very vivacious style!

Also taking part were Liam Carroll with a bold telling of one of Aesop's fables about a fox, a magpie and a Leg of Lamb. Su Squire told, The Pottle of Brains with some great energy and humour. Jim Kavanagh told a charming if typically odd tale about a goat, some ale and a shotgun. Kelly Kanayama told a very visual version of Hawaiian myth about the Demi God Maui and how he brought fire to the people. Dave Tong made a noise with a tale about the devil and a blacksmith,  whilst Paul Jackson in a gentle but athoratative style told of a blue fish. Fiona told a her first very short 'tale' - about a huge barn with nothing in it!

 

Mark Scott-Ison

Also telling for the first time was John with what he described as a true tale about many things including Coyotes, Trevallon dogs and Bert Loyde. Whilst Mark Scott-Ison was another highlight of the night with a great story about the  'Bonk-waaa',  that explained once and for all why biscuits go missing from the jar! A silly tale, rumbustiously told.

It turned out to be a long night as many of us told twice and so thanks to Lorraine. She was very patient with us and we promise not to go on so long next time!

The next Tales from the Undercroft at Jurnets is at 7.30 for an 8.00 start on October 5th and there is no theme - all stories welcome. The next Tales from the Horses Mouth at the Black Horse Earlham Road is on October 17th.

Meet the Regulars - Liam Carroll

   Liam telling as part of  'The Dragonseeker's Quest' 
Organised by The Greenword Tree at Catton Park, Norwich

Click on the image to enlarge

Liam is of mixed English and Irish descent and has spent many years travelling by horse and cart in Ireland, Britain and Eastern Europe, most notably with the renowned mask and puppet theatre company, Horse and Bamboo

He came to storytelling after several years performing street theatre with the campaigning group Theatre of War, having been influenced by one of his musical heroes Robin Williamson, who was part of the 1980’s ‘storytelling revival’.

When it comes to storytelling Liam says, I have tried to read far and wide in searching out good stories, but all the material I adopt for an adult audience always seems to come from Scotland and Ireland – I think it’s the humour and colourful language that attracts me to that tradition. Having said that, I find it quite challenging to translate that humour into the spoken word especially as the language seems to demand the use of ham Irish and Scottish accents. I’m struggling to work out the best way of dealing with that as too much fake accent is a bit off putting for the audience, I suspect, although people are always very polite about it when I ask them.
  

Check out Liam's website: http://www.fairyfolkandfable.co.uk/

And you can contact him via email at fairyfolkandfable@yahoo.co.uk  

 or on 7960696625

Meet the Regulars - Kelly Kanayama

 Kelly Kanayama

Taking part in the Young Storyteller of the Year, 2011

Kelly is from Hawaii and is of half-Japanese and half-Filipino descent.  She has been performing in various disciplines, mainly voice and dance since the age of 7, but only began storytelling after she came to the UK.

When it comes to the stories she tells Kelly says, I've been collecting stories since I was very young, although I didn't realise it at the time - a lot of my material comes from stories I heard in school or books I read at home during childhood.  Although I'm interested in fairy tales and myths from all over the world, I specialise in stories from the Pacific Rim, particularly Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines due to my heritage.  In addition, I have a soft spot for stories with passionate, interesting female characters, as I think many female storytellers do!  My grandmothers - the ultimate strong independent female role models in my family - and their lives are also a source of inspiration, although some of the resulting stories are definitely not suitable for children.

For Kelly storytelling is at least partially about giving a voice to characters, individuals, communities and/or people groups that might not otherwise be heard.  And due to both her dance training and culture(s)'s she tends to communicate in a very physical way as well as vocally. Kelly says, Storytelling is an holistic act in the sense that it's a collaboration between the brain, the voice and the body.

Kelly is also running a 10 week course on Folktales and their Meanings at Wensum Lodge from  September - November 2011.

For more information on Kelly and her course contact her on: kelly.kanayama@gmail.com