The good news is that Tales from the Undercroft continued after Dave Tonge left to pursue his own storytelling career and has been given a new lease of life under the management of Sarah Walker. They still have a mix of local and featured tellers as well as a regular open mic event and still takes place in the undercroft of Jurnets bar (part of Wensum Lodge) the first Wednesday in every month.
This blog-site is however in retirement and for regular updates on events happening at Tales from the Undercroft please visit their Facebook page at..
https://www.facebook.com/Tales-from-the-Undercroft-321902291174371/
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Sunday, July 6, 2014
No more Tales from the Undercroft
Its sad I know, but unfortunately we have had to wrap up Tales from the Undercroft, because our regulars are just too busy with their own projects to keep it going.
You will however be pleased to hear that storytelling is not dead and buried in Norwich and some of the club regulars will be coming together for special events, some of them as the storytelling troupe, The Worshipful Guild of Fools, Liars and Sturdy Blaggers, so be sure to come back to the blog occasionally to see whats going on. We will also be posting about other storytelling events happening anywhere in the region.
It only remains to thank all of those who have supported us over the last few years and I hope to see many of you whilst telling here, there and anywhere else for that matter!
You will however be pleased to hear that storytelling is not dead and buried in Norwich and some of the club regulars will be coming together for special events, some of them as the storytelling troupe, The Worshipful Guild of Fools, Liars and Sturdy Blaggers, so be sure to come back to the blog occasionally to see whats going on. We will also be posting about other storytelling events happening anywhere in the region.
It only remains to thank all of those who have supported us over the last few years and I hope to see many of you whilst telling here, there and anywhere else for that matter!
Thursday, June 12, 2014
A three for all on July 2nd
Our meet on July 2nd is our last for the summer and we won't gather again till September.
And so before the lethargy of hi summer hits with it's definitely not cloudy rainy days and also those nights where the flys crawl on your face, but when you turn on the lights they are gone and you dont know where they are gone, but as soon as you turn off the lights they are back again.... Before all that we are to expel the last of our spring energy with loads of three minute stories from the floor, jokes jests and all manner of wit and wonder.
Sorry to all our regulars including Suzanne, Jonathan, Gerry and Adrian who do not appear, but your time will come!
And so before the lethargy of hi summer hits with it's definitely not cloudy rainy days and also those nights where the flys crawl on your face, but when you turn on the lights they are gone and you dont know where they are gone, but as soon as you turn off the lights they are back again.... Before all that we are to expel the last of our spring energy with loads of three minute stories from the floor, jokes jests and all manner of wit and wonder.
In other words there are no guests, just an open mike with anyone and everyone telling whatever they like. Here are some of our regulars telling whatever they like and others shocked to the core (Apologies for the poor light conditions - We are thinking about saving up for a new candle)
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| Dave |
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| Ana Lines - Honouree Member |
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| Stunned silence |
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| Su |
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| Mark |
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| Liam |
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| I've no idea who this is! |
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| Kelly |
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| Rita |
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| Kelly again with whathisface in the back ground. And look at that; a table lamp. I had forgotten we had a table lamp. I wonder where it went? |
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| Barry and Sarah preparing to tell with Katrina looking mortified |
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| Laurie Steel |
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| Sarah Walker |
As per usual we meet from 7.30 for an 8.00 start least Jim do absolutely nothing as he is gone. Where to nobody knows and he took our pen, table lamp and one remaining candle with him.
He is missed. So is the table lamp.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
June 4th - The Beautiful Game
On June 4th we honour the World Cup by hosting two Staffordshire tellers, Ana Lines and Cath Edwards telling:
It’s a show of two halves! Brazilian storyteller Ana Lines and English storyteller Cath Edwards present a special tribute to the World Cup and its host country, Brazil.
In something of a departure from their usual traditional repertoire, Cath (born in the country of football’s origin) and Ana (born in the country where they’re really good at football) have found some of the game’s most entertaining tales. With football heroes , some quirky memories, a swift tour of some of the funnier chants, at least those that are repeatable, and the odd joke, this is a show that even football-phobes will enjoy.
The Beautiful Game
It’s a show of two halves! Brazilian storyteller Ana Lines and English storyteller Cath Edwards present a special tribute to the World Cup and its host country, Brazil.
In something of a departure from their usual traditional repertoire, Cath (born in the country of football’s origin) and Ana (born in the country where they’re really good at football) have found some of the game’s most entertaining tales. With football heroes , some quirky memories, a swift tour of some of the funnier chants, at least those that are repeatable, and the odd joke, this is a show that even football-phobes will enjoy.
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| Ana Lines (left) with Cath Edwards |
We are really looking forward to this one, although in truth its a game of three halves, for Ana and Cath have asked that some of our regular tellers fill the second half of the evening with stories from the countries taking part. Not all of them obviously as there are not enough of us, but then again new tellers are always welcome at the Undercroft!
As per usual we gather from 7.30 for an 8.00 pm start and you never know Jim might join us, so dont be late lest he have your guts for garters!
Thursday, April 24, 2014
May 7th at the Undercroft
Since May is traditionally a time for celebrating the coming of summer
with games, fires, may poles and all kinds of ritual trespass and hi
jinks, then it is only fitting that we celebrate with celebratory
stories from the floor whatever they might be.
Kind of leaves it open really, which is just the way we like it at the Undercroft, with people telling tales that they like rather than stories that fit a certain theme.
If the teller enjoys the tale, then there is every likelihood that their audience will to!
With that in mind, we hope to see many of you there on May 7th.
Kind of leaves it open really, which is just the way we like it at the Undercroft, with people telling tales that they like rather than stories that fit a certain theme.
If the teller enjoys the tale, then there is every likelihood that their audience will to!
With that in mind, we hope to see many of you there on May 7th.
Storytelling starts at 8.00. I would say be there for 7.30 lest Jim has your guts for garters, but alas he has had his nipples pierced and run away to join the circus...
Thursday, March 13, 2014
April 2nd - Kelly Kanayama performs, 'If you ever leave me'
In the first half of Tales from the Undercroft in April, one of our regulars, Kelly Kanayama will be performing:
In the second half of the evening it will be tales from the floor. No theme, just what ever takes your fancy. Let me know if you wish to tell as spaces might be limited.
If You Ever Leave Me
A mother.
A daughter.
And a tower.
All in the middle of a forest that could be magic.
Think you've heard it before?
Think again...
If You Ever Leave Me retells Western folktales of murder, passion and betrayal from an Asian-Pacific perspective to present the familiar as you’ve never heard it before. Kelly Kanayama draws on her Japanese-Filipino-Hawaiian upbringing for a visceral exploration of the family ties that bind us (in every sense of the word), the sacrifices we make in pursuit of a happy ending, and the stories we carry with us – whether or not we mean to.
Audience feedback:
"Beautiful"
"Drew me in!"
A mother.
A daughter.
And a tower.
All in the middle of a forest that could be magic.
Think you've heard it before?
Think again...
If You Ever Leave Me retells Western folktales of murder, passion and betrayal from an Asian-Pacific perspective to present the familiar as you’ve never heard it before. Kelly Kanayama draws on her Japanese-Filipino-Hawaiian upbringing for a visceral exploration of the family ties that bind us (in every sense of the word), the sacrifices we make in pursuit of a happy ending, and the stories we carry with us – whether or not we mean to.
Audience feedback:
"Beautiful"
"Drew me in!"
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| Kelly Kanayama |
Try to be there by 7.30 for an 8.00 start lest Jim actually comes to the Undercroft for a change and has your guts for garters
Friday, February 28, 2014
Power to the People on March 5th
We were so inspired by Gareth Calway's performance of 'Cromwells Talking Head' last month (Of Civil War and the struggle for democracy) that we decided to focus on tales where the common sort get the better of their 'betters', this month.
It shouldn't be that hard as many of the folk tales we tell at the Undercroft celebrate working class heros who championed the poor. From Robin Hood to Tom Hickathrift, they stood up for the rights of the people and cocked a snoop at the none to noble nobilty. Chap book stories and ballads printed and reprinted from the 16th and 17th century on had to appeal to as wide as possible an audience by presenting heros that the people could relate to. Chivalric stories of Knights and fair Ladies were replaced with tales of clever beggars, wise fools and characters like Joe Millar, a seventeenth century comedienne who would happily mock the pretentions of rich men.
Stories like these would have appealed to men like Robert Costen who was more than happy to speak out against authority. In 1560 he appeared in court in Norwich for that:
At the last Magdelen Fayre [He] did go up and down the fayre with a pair of rams horns* about his neck gathering a great company of lewd people to follow him with clubs and staves and bagpipes, terming himself Mr Mayor and going from booth to booth and getting drunk and shaking his horns saying that they were his ruff (Collar)
* Rams horns were the traditional symbol of the cuckold long ago and so Robert was accusing the Mayor of being a cuckold, whose wife had cheated on him. This is more than just a lewd joke on Costen's part, because in challenging the Mayors ability to control his wife, he was also challenging his ability to rule over the City!
And so if you want to follow in Robert Costen's footsteps and stick two fingers up at the so called great and the good, then come and join us on March 5th. I could even invite David Cameron. Do you think he would come!
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| Tom Hickathrift - A working class hero of long ago getting the better of a wealthy farmer |
It shouldn't be that hard as many of the folk tales we tell at the Undercroft celebrate working class heros who championed the poor. From Robin Hood to Tom Hickathrift, they stood up for the rights of the people and cocked a snoop at the none to noble nobilty. Chap book stories and ballads printed and reprinted from the 16th and 17th century on had to appeal to as wide as possible an audience by presenting heros that the people could relate to. Chivalric stories of Knights and fair Ladies were replaced with tales of clever beggars, wise fools and characters like Joe Millar, a seventeenth century comedienne who would happily mock the pretentions of rich men.
Stories like these would have appealed to men like Robert Costen who was more than happy to speak out against authority. In 1560 he appeared in court in Norwich for that:
At the last Magdelen Fayre [He] did go up and down the fayre with a pair of rams horns* about his neck gathering a great company of lewd people to follow him with clubs and staves and bagpipes, terming himself Mr Mayor and going from booth to booth and getting drunk and shaking his horns saying that they were his ruff (Collar)
* Rams horns were the traditional symbol of the cuckold long ago and so Robert was accusing the Mayor of being a cuckold, whose wife had cheated on him. This is more than just a lewd joke on Costen's part, because in challenging the Mayors ability to control his wife, he was also challenging his ability to rule over the City!
And so if you want to follow in Robert Costen's footsteps and stick two fingers up at the so called great and the good, then come and join us on March 5th. I could even invite David Cameron. Do you think he would come!
As always we meet from 7.30 to start telling at 8.00 lest Jim has your gust for garters.
If he turns up that is!
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Here be Dragons, but where is Oliver Cromwells Head?
Our first meet at the Undercroft in 2014 will hopefully be dominated by dragons. As part of the bi-annual Norwich Dragon Festival we will be sharing stories of serpents, worms and all manner of winged monsters, non of whom will be sleeping soundly in their caves on February 5th!
Also one or two of our regulars including Dave Tonge and Liam carroll will be telling tales at Norwich Guildhall, libraries and other venues throughout the Dragon Festival and you can find out more about these events by visting the HEART website here.... http://www.heritagecity.org/events-festivals/norwich-dragon-festival.htm.
We also hope to share some three minute gestes to cheer away the dark winter evenings and in the second half the floor will be open to all comers with any story they want to tell. We have already got one new teller lined up, Gareth Calway, who will be sharing 'Cromwells Talking Head'. Gareth says....
Cromwell’s Talking Head is in the horrible history genre and aimed at the naughty kid in all of us. But it's all true - Cromwell the king-killer really was dug up from his 'royal' grave at the Restoration, hung, drawn, quartered and his head stuck on a traitor's pole for 25 years. After centuries of adventures in freaks shows and dodgy museums, ears and other bits nicked by trophy hunters, and carrying a legendary curse, the head was authenticated by cranial detectives and in 1960 secretly buried at his old college in Cambridge University. Secretly in case drunken royalist students dig him up again! In the monologue, the head tells the ghastly story and the story of the Civil War to a young grave robber who has dug up more than he bargained for. It's funny, informative and not that comfortable for royal ears. You’ll laugh your head off!
To find out more about Gareth visit his website at... http://www.garethcalway.co.uk/
As per usual we meet at 7.30 for an 8.00 pm start lest Jim has your guts for garters and anyone wanting to tell Dragon or other stories just let me know.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The many merry gests of Robin Hood at the Undercroft
We are doing different this December at the Undercroft. Not only have we moved from the first wednesday to the second tuesday, but we have two professional tellers coming to share their stories with us...
This month husband and wife, Wendy and Michael Dacre will be sharing their stories of Robin Hood adapted from the early gestes devoted to the outlaw and his merry band. As the Dacre's say...
These tales give the most vital and authentic account of the English outlaw - violent, earthy, humorous and tragic. This is the original ‘Robyn Hode’,mostly from the early ballads, and still the most exciting - not suitable for young children. Songs of the Greenwood wind in and out of the stories to create a vision in sound of Merrie England.
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| Wendy and Michael Dacre |
This month husband and wife, Wendy and Michael Dacre will be sharing their stories of Robin Hood adapted from the early gestes devoted to the outlaw and his merry band. As the Dacre's say...
These tales give the most vital and authentic account of the English outlaw - violent, earthy, humorous and tragic. This is the original ‘Robyn Hode’,mostly from the early ballads, and still the most exciting - not suitable for young children. Songs of the Greenwood wind in and out of the stories to create a vision in sound of Merrie England.
The set includes:
Robin Hood & the Monk
Robin Hood & the Potter
Robin Hood & the Pedlar
Robin Hood & Guy of Gisborne
Robin Hood & the Potter
Robin Hood & the Pedlar
Robin Hood & Guy of Gisborne
Robin Hood & Alan a Dale
Robin Hood’s Death
Robin Hood’s Death
For more info on Wendy and Michael visit their website here... http://www.raventales.co.uk/
As usual we start at 8.00 and donations are always welcome. Be there on time lest Jim have your guts for garters!
Monday, October 14, 2013
Folktales from Greece and Wales on November 6th
This month we travel the globe from Wales all the way to Greece!
First up we have Carl Merry telling:
Its a variety of folk tales and myths from Wales together with one or two personal anecdotes about growing up in the Rhondda Valley.
Although a word of warning, it may contain shape changing fairy folk, clever women, Old Nick and catching sticklebacks.
Its a set of Greek tales. Laurie and his wife Maureen spend a lot of time in Greece and have got to know the country well, hence his interest in their folklore....
As Laurie says...
I am busy putting together a mixture of Greek folk tales, blended with some personal observations of Greek people. The basis of the set is a tribute to the people of Cephalonia and their recovery from the destruction of their island home in 1953 when 90% of their homes were destroyed in a massive earthquake. This was only a few years after the people had suffered massively under German and Italian occupation.
First up we have Carl Merry telling:
The Draenog, The Devil and The Tylwyth Teg
Its a variety of folk tales and myths from Wales together with one or two personal anecdotes about growing up in the Rhondda Valley.
Although a word of warning, it may contain shape changing fairy folk, clever women, Old Nick and catching sticklebacks.
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| Carl Merry |
Carl is of Welsh and Irish decent,
something that has flavoured his performances and given him an interest
in the fairy folk! He is now based in Essex and is a founder member of
the Essex Storytellers. He has told all over the county and the rest of
East Anglia both as a solo performer and as part of the Essex group.
For more info on Carl visit his website here.. http://www.carltales.com/
Although we regularly have guests like Carl from other clubs and far flung places it's always good to showcase our very own storytelling talent - And in November we are pleased to have our very own laurie Steele telling:
Its all Greek to Me
Its a set of Greek tales. Laurie and his wife Maureen spend a lot of time in Greece and have got to know the country well, hence his interest in their folklore....
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| Laurie telling at the Undercroft |
As Laurie says...
I am busy putting together a mixture of Greek folk tales, blended with some personal observations of Greek people. The basis of the set is a tribute to the people of Cephalonia and their recovery from the destruction of their island home in 1953 when 90% of their homes were destroyed in a massive earthquake. This was only a few years after the people had suffered massively under German and Italian occupation.
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| Earth Quake damage on Cephalonia |
As per usual we gather from about 7.30pm for a 8.00 pm start lest Jim have your guts for garters.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Barbequed Husbands versus Heros and Lovers at the Undercroft
This September we have two for the price of one at the Undercroft, or rather two for the price of a donation! For this month we will be hosting two guest tellers, both from the midlands...
First we have Ana Lines, a Brazilian teller who be performing 'Barbequed Husbands -Rainforest Tales'. Stories of healing, life, and love as well as cooking husbands!
Ana is a well known teller in the midlands and hosts her own club in Stafford as well as telling at the Birmingham storytelling Cafe. You can find out more about her on her website..
First we have Ana Lines, a Brazilian teller who be performing 'Barbequed Husbands -Rainforest Tales'. Stories of healing, life, and love as well as cooking husbands!
Ana is a well known teller in the midlands and hosts her own club in Stafford as well as telling at the Birmingham storytelling Cafe. You can find out more about her on her website..
Then we have Tom Philips telling 'Heros and Lovers'. As Tom says, It's a mix of story and music that come together take the audience around the world on a light hearted journey
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| Tom Philips telling at the Yard of Tales in Market Harborough |
Tom is an up and coming teller who has performed all over the midlands and also at the Sociery for Storytelling Gathering. Just go to his website for more info...
Please note that although we have two guests this month there will still be time for tales from the floor between their sets
As usual we ask ask that people arrive early for an 8.00pm start lest Jim has yours guts for garters!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Dominic Kelly Tells 'Crow'
Thanks to all those who joined us for Jim Kavanagh and Liam Carroll's Tales from the Tain in June. as one member of the audience said:
Fantastic! The contrast in telling style between Liam and Jim worked brilliantly well. Hope you go places with it.
They even got some kisses! Certainly the feeling was that they should develop the Tain into a show and take it on the road.
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From Irish tales though to Dominic Kelly telling CROW....
Intelligent, ruthless, stark, graceful... crows haunt both our outer and
inner landscapes. Dominic Kelly accompanies these black-feathered
tricksters through a northern borderland: here, in the shadows of the
saltmarsh channels, neither crows nor people are quite what they seem.
Welcome to Crow. In this powerful performance Dominic deftly interweaves myth, fairytale
and biography to map the life and death of his grandfather - a man who
was moulded by the time and place of his birth - until the boundary
between metaphor and reality becomes subtly undefined.
“Magnificent” “If I had to leave tonight, Dominic Kelly’s Crow would have been
worth the 3-hour drive”. Cambridge Storytelling Festival
"Absolutely brilliant night. An inspired and intense telling” “Remarkable”
Dreamfired Storynight, Cumbria |
| Dominic Kelly |
Dominic Kelly is a contemporary performance storyteller based in Lancaster,
England and Stockholm, Sweden. His dynamic and compelling style has captivated audiences in schools, theatres and festivals around the world. He has established
a reputation for powerful, entertaining work that brings together intricate
composition with the energy of improvised performance. He has curated the
storytelling programme at Litfest, and directed the storytelling programmes at
festivals across the UK, including Larmer Tree and Solfest. In 2009 Dominic was awarded the New Directions Commission by Cambridge
Storytelling Festival, with funding from the Arts Council, to create a new
performance for adults. Crow is the result. It was premiered at the festival in
2009, and has since been performed at venues including The Barbican, the Soho
Theatre in London's West End, the Westcountry Storytelling Festival, on tour with
the British Council in India and at The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival.
As usual we meet at 7.30 for an 8.00pm start. lest Jim have your guts for garters. Also we do ask for donations on the night. Whatever you can spare to ensure we can bring more wonderful storytellers like Dominic to Norwich!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Irish Tales at the Undercroft - A prelude to the Tain Bo Cuilagne
Thanks to all those who shared some Summer Lovin and a three minute tale at our May gathering and next month we will be joined by these two celtic lovelies....
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| Jim Kavanagh |
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| Liam Carroll |
On June 5th these two lusty Undercroft regulars, Liam Carroll and Jim Kavanagh, will be telling some of their favourite Irish tales:
Whose Bull Is It Anyway?
A prelude to The Tain Bo Cuilagne: the
oldest tale in Europe, of mighty deeds & daring cattle raids in
ancient Ireland, with talking eels, a thirsty corpse and a warrior Queen
so shameless & dangerous you'll be needing a drink yourself before
the tales even begun...
Jim and Liam have a common interest in the
mythology of Ireland, and have put their heads together to present a
selection from
this vast body of fascinating archaic lore. Written down by Irish
monks as far back as the 700's, these tales are believed to originate
from much older oral traditions, providing a glimpse into the society of
Celtic warrior aristocracy which never came under the direct influence
of Rome. They crackle with a rich imagery & energetic magic from a
world where the written word never took hold, and is almost totally
beyond our modern sensibilities. You'll definitely be needing a pint...
Jim and Liam will be telling an hour long set so there will still be time for tales from the floor. Be sure to come early and put your name down if you wish to tell, lest Jim have your guts for garters..
For more info about Liam visit his blog page here..
*Alas we have no details about Jim, so he will just have to remain an enigma...
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Three minute tales & Summer Lovin in May
On May 1st we have tales from the floor - An open mic event where anyone and everyone can come and tell a tale.
The theme is 'Summer Lovin', but you can be as creative as you like when it comes to fitting a story to the theme. The more tenuous the better!
We'll start the night though with some three minute tales. Its something we tried a while back and it was good fun. A real skill in breaking a story down and getting to the nub of it in less than three minutes...
The theme is 'Summer Lovin', but you can be as creative as you like when it comes to fitting a story to the theme. The more tenuous the better!
We'll start the night though with some three minute tales. Its something we tried a while back and it was good fun. A real skill in breaking a story down and getting to the nub of it in less than three minutes...
As per usual we meet at 7.30 for an 8.00pm start, so don't be late lest Jim has your guts for garters!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Carl Merry - Into the Shadowlands
At the next gathering on April 3rd we have another guest teller - Carl Merry telling:
'Into the Shadowlands'
Carl will be taking us on a journey to the margins that lie between the world
we know and the “Otherworld” of the Fair Folk. Were it not for the wisdom of a woman, a
lover who teaches an elf the meaning of love and a willing pupil, there could be no
survival. Even then, in the last days when traditions are either forgotten or ignored the
fairy host must ride once more or face extinction.
An excellent programme..... I liked the beautiful, gently sad mood, leavened with humour.
Cambridge Storytelling Club
Carl is of Welsh and Irish decent, something that has flavoured his performances and given him an interest in the fairy folk! He is now based in Essex and is a founder member of the Essex Storytellers. He has told all over the county and the rest of East Anglia both as a solo performer and as part of the Essex group.
An excellent programme..... I liked the beautiful, gently sad mood, leavened with humour.
Cambridge Storytelling Club
Carl is of Welsh and Irish decent, something that has flavoured his performances and given him an interest in the fairy folk! He is now based in Essex and is a founder member of the Essex Storytellers. He has told all over the county and the rest of East Anglia both as a solo performer and as part of the Essex group.
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| Carl Merry |
For more info on Carl visit his website here.. http://www.carltales.com/
As per usual we meet at 7.30 for an 8.00pm start, so don't be late lest Jim has your guts for garters!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Su Squire tells - The Fool, the Weaver and the Heart of The Labyrinth
Thanks to all who joined us for our last session where we all enjoyed Marion Leeper's performance of 'The Kitchen Cat'. A subtle blend of humour, designer fairies, real life and true emotion. At our next gathering in March one of our regulars, Su Squire will be premiering her new performance:
The Fool, The Weaver & The Heart of the Labyrinth
A tale of love, loss and the extraordinary power of stories. In a far off land, a courageous fool
embarks on a perilous journey to meet with a mysterious weaver of tales and
find that which has been lost.
Su's performance is just one small part of a bigger project 'Chrysalis Tales' which aims to use storytelling and other related art forms for the exploration and expression of people's thoughts and feelings relating to death and bereavement in a way that is ultimately positive and life affirming. As Su says:
Possibly the simplest and most portable of art forms, storytelling seems a good starting point for the project. I believe that stories speak a language that touches a part of our selves that our everyday language cannot always reach - a language of symbols and archetypes that goes straight to the heart of the matter. In their own remarkable way stories connect us through time and space with every human being who has ever known or will one day know the pain and grief of loss, bringing comfort and reassurance whilst offering hope that there is, to coin a phrase, light at the end of the tunnel. At their most powerful, they remind us of how truly mysterious and wonderful life is.
To find out more about the project visit the Chrysalis tales Facebook Site here
And for more on Su Squire check out her biog here
As per useual we meet at 7.30 for an 8.00pm start, so don't be late lest Jim has your guts for garters!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Coming up in 2013 - Marion Leeper 'The Kitchen Cat'
It's a new year at the Undercroft with any amount of guest tellers coming to share their tales with us…
On March 6th we have Su Squire, one of our regulars putting together a performance for us (More detail to come) On April 3rd we'll be joined by Carl Merry performing 'Into The Shadowlands' - A series of Irish Tales. Whilst on July 3rd it will be Dominic Kelly telling 'Crow' which "melts together folkltale & folklore, biography & myth". In September after our summer break we will be joined by Ana Lines, also resident at Birmingham Storytelling Cafe and also possibly Tom Phillips who runs Good Impressions Storytelling Club in Hinkley. Also look out for performances from our regulars including Liam Carroll and Jim Kavanagh.
But prior to all of that we are joined by Marion Leeper of the Cambridge Storytellers telling:
Marion's is an hour long session, so there will still be time for stories from the floor. Anyone wishing to tell should let me know as spaces will be limited.
We hope to see many of you there (Weather permitting) at 7.30 for an 8.00 start, lest Jim have your guts for garters!
On March 6th we have Su Squire, one of our regulars putting together a performance for us (More detail to come) On April 3rd we'll be joined by Carl Merry performing 'Into The Shadowlands' - A series of Irish Tales. Whilst on July 3rd it will be Dominic Kelly telling 'Crow' which "melts together folkltale & folklore, biography & myth". In September after our summer break we will be joined by Ana Lines, also resident at Birmingham Storytelling Cafe and also possibly Tom Phillips who runs Good Impressions Storytelling Club in Hinkley. Also look out for performances from our regulars including Liam Carroll and Jim Kavanagh.
But prior to all of that we are joined by Marion Leeper of the Cambridge Storytellers telling:
The Kitchen Cat
'She couldn't remember who she was, but she knew that once she had been someone important...' Scraps of memory, legend, and black lace woven together to tell one woman's rags to riches story, La Gata Borralheira - the Kitchen Cat - will take you on a romp through the folktales and cocktail dresses of 1950s Europe. Marion’s mix of traditional tales and family history is funny, moving, grotesque and tragic by turns.
Marion's is an hour long session, so there will still be time for stories from the floor. Anyone wishing to tell should let me know as spaces will be limited.
We hope to see many of you there (Weather permitting) at 7.30 for an 8.00 start, lest Jim have your guts for garters!
Dave Tong - The Yarnsmith
Artwork by Jim Kavanagh
Artwork by Jim Kavanagh
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Important News!
There is no gathering in January...
The next gathering will be Weds 6 February 2013
In the meantime, New Year Best Wishes to tellers & listeners all, and we hope to see you in what may well be a chilly February. There is no particular theme for the February gathering, so wrap up, keep warm & don't bring anything too long..
Until then, here's a historic Norwich angel to enrich your lives...
The Gobbo
The next gathering will be Weds 6 February 2013
In the meantime, New Year Best Wishes to tellers & listeners all, and we hope to see you in what may well be a chilly February. There is no particular theme for the February gathering, so wrap up, keep warm & don't bring anything too long..
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| from Norwich Guildhall, circa 1450 |
Until then, here's a historic Norwich angel to enrich your lives...
The Gobbo
Friday, October 19, 2012
Winter 2012 - Sophie Snell and Irish Tales
On November 7th we have the fantastic Sophie Snell coming to the Undercroft and she'll be telling her 'Seven Deadly Sins':
"To possess that charisma, that energy, that memory! Spellbinding and better than any film or TV... a beautiful piece... Fantastic evening - wonderful!"
Liam Carroll
Jim Kavanagh*
Jim and Liam will be telling an hour long set so there will still be time for tales from the floor. Be sure to come early and put your name down if you wish to tell, lest Jim have your guts for garters..
Sophie Snell
"A very expressive performer… Viscerally thrilling… intellectually satisfying. Recommended."
Stephanie Billen, Chairman - Buxton Festival Fringe, re 'Seven Deadly Sins' July 2010."To possess that charisma, that energy, that memory! Spellbinding and better than any film or TV... a beautiful piece... Fantastic evening - wonderful!"
Amanda Bowman, BBC Radio Nottingham, SDS Notts Libraries StoryFest, March 2010.
Sophie is a leading light of the Derby Flying Donkeys and is a performance storyteller known for her warm, engaging and animated style of storytelling and a deliciously wicked sense of humour. She has a wide repertoire of tales from around the globe, but a particular interest in the lesser known folk tales of the British Isles – quirky, fun, fantastical, tales that twist and turn and quickly hook and hold the audience - whether adult or children. Sophie performs and leads workshops in schools, libraries, festivals, storytelling clubs, tourist and arts venues.
I for one can recommend Sophie and I've never seen a storyteller who inhabits their stories quite like she does! Dave Tonge - The Yarnsmith
For more info about Sophie visit her website: www.sophiesnell.co.uk
If that wasn't enough to give you palpitations, on December 5th two of our regulars, Jim Kavanagh and Liam Carroll will be telling some of their favourite Irish tales:
Liam Carroll
Whose Bull Is It Anyway?
A prelude to The Tain Bo Cuilagne: the
oldest tale in Europe, of mighty deeds & daring cattle raids in
ancient Ireland, with talking eels, a thirsty corpse and a warrior Queen
so shameless & dangerous you'll be needing a drink yourself before
the tales even begun...
Jim and Liam have a common interest in the
mythology of Ireland, and have put their heads together to present a
selection from
this vast body of fascinating archaic lore. Written down by Irish
monks as far back as the 700's, these tales are believed to originate
from much older oral traditions, providing a glimpse into the society of
Celtic warrior aristocracy which never came under the direct influence
of Rome. They crackle with a rich imagery & energetic magic from a
world where the written word never took hold, and is almost totally
beyond our modern sensibilities. You'll definitely be needing a pint...
Jim and Liam will be telling an hour long set so there will still be time for tales from the floor. Be sure to come early and put your name down if you wish to tell, lest Jim have your guts for garters..
For more info about Liam visit his blog page here..
*Alas we have no details about Jim, so he will just have to remain an enigma...
Friday, October 5, 2012
Taster storytelling workshop at the Undercroft
As you can see from our header our next storytelling gathering takes place on November 7th when we will be joined by Professional Storyteller, Sophie Snell.
Although prior to that we are also running a one off workshop aimed at both beginners and those with some storytelling experience. It's going to be an informal gathering at the Undercroft on October 17th and will run from 8.00 till 10.00ish with a 15 min break thrown in for good measure.
As I said it's a taster session with some of the regulars sharing their tips and tricks on many different aspects of storytelling including, voice, facial expression, gesture, movement and also how to both adapt and remember stories. There will be some practical exercises and games included in the session and if there is time participants may well have the chance if they wish to tell at the end of the evening. Stories will be provided, but by all means bring a short tale with you!
A list of useful books and websites will also be provided and if successful we will be offering more focused sessions in 2013.
Although prior to that we are also running a one off workshop aimed at both beginners and those with some storytelling experience. It's going to be an informal gathering at the Undercroft on October 17th and will run from 8.00 till 10.00ish with a 15 min break thrown in for good measure.
As I said it's a taster session with some of the regulars sharing their tips and tricks on many different aspects of storytelling including, voice, facial expression, gesture, movement and also how to both adapt and remember stories. There will be some practical exercises and games included in the session and if there is time participants may well have the chance if they wish to tell at the end of the evening. Stories will be provided, but by all means bring a short tale with you!
A list of useful books and websites will also be provided and if successful we will be offering more focused sessions in 2013.
For more information and to book a place on the workshop contact theyarnsmith@yahoo.co.uk
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