Meet the Regulars - Dave Tonge aka 'The Yarnsmith'

Dave telling at Settle Storytelling Festival - October 2011

 Dave has been telling tales since 1999. Prior to that he had a very varied career which in itself would make a good story, although alas far too long to tell here! Suffice to say that by the early 1990s he was unhappy with the road he was travelling, went back into learning and by 2000 found himself with a BA & MA in English history and even the first year of a PhD under his belt! At the same time Dave was working for the Norfolk Museum Service and met Stewart Alexander. He was a story teller of many years standing, who encouraged Dave to start telling and it wasn't long before they formed Past-Imagined, Historic Tales Tellers and he ran away from his PhD to become an Itinerant teller of tales! 

When it comes to his tellings, Dave says, We fused my passion for history with Stewart's passion for tale telling, adding some authentic costume and objects into the mix and travelling the whole of England telling tales at museums, heritage sites, festivals, fayres and schools. He also says, My storytelling is not that far removed from the historical research and presentations I was already doing, for my work on court records had already convinced me that people long ago were not that different to us - A fact born out by the large collection of folk tales I now tell. People laughed at, and mocked many of the same things that we still do today.

  

Although Stewart and Dave still work together, the majority of his work now is as the Yarnsmith of Norwich and as well as the typical heritage venues that make up most of his work, Dave is now also telling regularly at many storytelling clubs including the Cambridge Storytellers at the end of September 2011 and also the Flying Donkeys in Derby, the Yard of Tales in Market Harborough, ASTORy or Two in Deal and Settle Storytelling Festival for a second time in October 2012.

For more info on Dave check out his website: http://www.theyarnsmithofnorwich.com

Or contact him at theyarnsmith@yahoo.co.uk

Or 07908515766

Old Tales & True Tales : Kelly Kanayama

Ms K gave a solo performance at Jurnets on Monday 6 February.  After gobbling his chips, The Gob hurried along to catch it...

One look at Kelly Kanayama tells you she comes from some far away, exotic place, and as soon as she begins to speak, you know you're in for tales from another world.  One by one, strange, beautiful names and unexpected ideas flow through her stories, across oceans and continents from the other side of the Earth.
  Did you know that once, the sky and the earth were so enamoured of each other that there was barely room for people to live between them, and every one went around bent double?
  Us regulars to the Undercroft Tales already know that Kelly's stories are full of mythological wonder, and expected nothing less, but none of us had any idea she could sing as well!  Without a word, the evening began with a haunting song in another language, delivered in a melodious voice that made me think yep, when people sing at storytellings, this is exactly what it should be like.
  The ancient stories began from the time when the world was young, and Maui (pronounced M-ow-ee) made islands by pulling them up from the sea.  Not just any old islands, of course, and certainly not this one, but great mountainous, exciting ones with volcanoes still smouldering and forests rich with animal song: the eight islands of Hawaii.  Time was definitely a theme Kelly had chosen, as we grew closer to our own time over the tellings, but there was another recurring theme as well, the one which none of us seem able to avoid in story, that old man-woman thing… Maui didn't fix the sky because he could, or for anyone's benefit at all, but simply because he wanted to impress a girl.

  Lucky for us she wasn't that easily gobsmacked, & we all walk tall because of her. There was a Flood Myth, where a man (who was also an eel) gave everything he had because he loved his wife, from which we all still derive bounty, as niu: the coconut.  Hmm, maybe the concepts aren't always that alien and different, even half a world away: who amongst all the gods could overcome and calm the angry war god Ogun, but the goddess of love, Oshun..?
  Inspite of how far we travelled in time, from the beginning to the 1950's, it felt like a sea breeze, and Kelly gave us an insight into how it is that everyone growing up in Hawaii is steeped in story.  It's not just the ancient Polynesian myths that have remained, like minerals in the volcanic soils, it seems the islands have been a destination and melting pot for many nations over the centuries.  Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Korean, Philippines - they've all cast their folktales and languages over the land, and every island has not just a richness of national myth, but its own particular folklore too.
  O'ahu, where she grew up, home to Honolulu, is a place where the goddess Pele will not tolerate pork beyond a certain midway line… woe betide the hapless infringer of her ban, who will suffer mysterious misfortunes, failed MOT's and other hassles as a result: testimonies supplied.
   I have a suspicion that Pele, the mistress of volcanoes, conqueror of handsome men and shape-shifter in many forms, is Kelly's favourite home spirit, as she has appeared in her tales often.  In our times she tends to choose the guise of a grey old crone, and hides her powers, which put me in mind of other female deities, such as Celtic Brigid whom Joy described at this month's club tellings.  A world of oceans lies between them, but there seem to be universal truths on the wind.
  In her final tale, Kelly proposed the idea that stories seek to escape and fly around the world, like living things, ever eager to find new ears.  Presumably they also seek strong voices to tell them, and those of us who know Kelly will vouch she is certainly one of those, as even being currently on crutches (with a broken ankle), she still can crack an evening of tales like this one.

Old, new & very Grimm tales at the Undercroft

Another great turn out at the Undercroft this month with 40 plus packing out the medieval cellar. We were even reminded part way through the evening of all those who had visited the space before us.  How many is anybodies guess over the last 7-800 odd years and so we tried to keep them happy with many wonderful tales including one from a new regular Sarah Walker - One of our more well traveled tellers who has worked all over Europe, Thailand and the Middle East. Indeed, her travels influenced her choice of tales this month, with an Arabic story about a girl and her magic dog skin, which she used to transform herself into a talking dog...

Cheap wine and ales, comfy seats and some excellent tales -
What more do you want from a storytelling gathering!

We were even honoured with a visit from Marion Leeper of the Cambridge Storytellers. Marion is involved in Zalka Csenge Virag's 'Project Grimm' celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of the Brothers Grimm's fairy tales under the title of Children's and Household Tales. Zalka's aim is very simple - To encourage storytellers to tell four of Grimm's tales, two of which they pick themselves and two  "assigned by luck" by Zalka. After a few performances here and there the stories are videoed for inclusion in an international archive. Check out the link above,  for Marion thinks that there is still time to get involved and you can email Zalka direct at: zalkacs@yahoo.com

Marion Leeper

We enjoyed Marion's reworking of Grimm so much that we are now thinking of dedicating one half of our April gathering to the hardworking brothers. Unfortunately no photo of Marion telling at last weeks Undercroft, but I include a publicity shot here, because she will be coming back as a guest teller in November this year. Details to follow nearer the time.

Next months Tales from the Undercroft is on Wednesday 1st February with a loose theme of 'Lust and Loss'. We'll be starting at 8.00 prompt, so please try and arrive early to ensure one of the comfy seats!

Anyone wishing to tell can email Dave at theyarnsmith@yahoo.co.uk. Worth doing as we are beginning to get very busy and just might run out of spaces!

Dave the Yarnsmith

Jim Kavanagh

The Worshipful Company of Fools, Liars and Sturdy Blaggers Present...

For some time some of us amongst the regulars at the Undercroft had been thinking upon a storytelling troupe. A loose collective of nere do wells who travel from place to place spinning yarns and sowing discord amongst the better sort. To that end Dave the Yarnsmith, Tall Tale Liam and Irish Jim - the Blarney mans Dad and perhaps a few others will be telling tales to close the festive season at the Birdcage in Norwich on Thursday the 5th from 8.oo of the clock. It's a free event and all we ask is that you enjoy yourselfs...

There will be tall tales of high intrique and small tales of low cunning and for more information contact the theyarnsmith@yahoo.co.uk.

Yule to Misrule - Where Beasts Do Talk!

The gentle spicy waft of mulled apple juice tickling the nostrils and the glow of the Christmas tree set a suitably festive tone for this month’s Tales from the Undercroft – Yule to Misrule.  What else could it be at this time of year but a wintery concoction of delicious tales served up with the unmistakably generous spirit of the tellers to bring you in from the cold and warm your cockles?  And what a lot of folks there were warming said cockles as word seems to be getting out that this storytelling lark that’s going on down at The Undercroft ‘aint half bad.

Laurie was first up, taking us back to the time of Saxon rule to bring us the tale of Elfreda (or that could be Alfreda?) and her battle to win the trust of her stepson.  Cue the entrance of the wise woman (who else?) to save the day with the daunting task of plucking a whisker from a live wolf.  Task completed, Elfreda learns that most valuable lesson that trust is gained by taking small steps - little by little.  And suffice to say all is well in the world in time for Christmas (hurrah!)

Our next tale of the evening came courtesy of Mark, with cameo roles from Su (oh, that’s me!)  Our tale of the way in which the robin got his red breast was almost as enjoyable to tell (possibly more) as it was to plan the night before over a few glasses of wine.  Obviously tricky to review oneself so maybe I’ll take this opportunity to say how much I thoroughly enjoyed telling a tale with Mark (our first together at the Undercroft).  The two of us enjoyed many a year telling tales together down in the West Country before I found my way to the fine city of Norwich some five years ago.  Mark took his time, following the same path earlier this year and it really is a joy to be spinning yarns with him again.

Jim Kavanagh telling at the Undercroft

Next to tell was Jim, first with a brief tale about how the Goldfinch got his red face.  Seems there was a certain bird who plucked the thorns from the crown of a certain iconic fellow associated with this time of the year.  Well, I never knew that… Jim followed this short tale with the true story of an acquaintance -  the wife of a well travelled couple, skilled in the art of making a house a home despite the many relocations.  The most important aspect of this, by all accounts, is the act of trying every brand of tea available in order to find the perfect brew (anyone else getting a mental image of Mrs Doyle?)  Jim’s tale ended with a shiver down the spine as the ever-vigilant lady wakes in the night to find all the doors in her house inexplicably open…

Then Sarah took to the tellers chair to bring us a tale of love beyond the grave.  ‘Christmas’, she explained, ‘is a time when spirits walk,’ and they certainly did in this chilling and lyrical tale beautifully told by Sarah with her lulling voice.

Liam was next with the story of the Apple Tree Man, a tale with a goodly amount of supernatural tree action and a generous helping of talking beasts.  A fitting tale for the time of year – ‘The time when beasts do talk’ – Liam spun a great tale of moral retribution for the greedy son who tries to pull a fast one on his brother (not to mention his ox and donkey).  Worth pointing out Liam’s convincing Somerset accent, surpassed only by his impression of a talking donkey!

A noticeable hush fell as Paul took to the chair to bring us the enchanting story of ‘The Old Man of the Woods’.  Casting a magic winter spell with his singing bowl, he then went on to weave an age-old tale of the way in which those who have so very little are happy to share what they have and those with plentiful supplies hold on to their wealth with a vice-like grip.  Several yards of linen and a good number of sneezes later and needless to say everyone gets what’s coming to them.  A great yuletide tale.

To bring us to the end of the first half, Rita told us of the way in which an ordinary man in the street became a legend and an inspiration among men as she gave a heartfelt and timely account of Kett’s Rebellion (it being the anniversary of his being hanged from the walls of Norwich Castle).  Clearly a subject close to Rita’s heart, the tale was told with a great deal of passion and was made even more poignant by the mention at the end that members of  ‘Occupy Norwich’ were planning to place a wreath at the castle in his memory and to honour his role in the ‘long and painful fight for democracy’.

Thanks to all who came and helped make it  a great night.

Unfortunately Jurnets is still closed for Christmas break the first Wednesday in Jan, so we will be meeting on the 2nd Wednesday (The 11th) instead.

The theme is Old and New, so hopefully a good mix of old favourites and something different to welcome in the New Year!

See you all at 7.30 for and 8.00 start and by all means contact the Dave Yarnsmith at theyarnsmith@yahoo.co.uk if you want to tell.

Su Squire

Dave Tong

Meet the Regulars - Su Squire aka 'Tilly the Tale Spinner'

Su Squire telling at Tales from The Undercroft, Norwich

Once upon a time...

A girl called Su (who later became Tilly) discovered that she was in love with stories.  Stories of all shapes and sizes.  Stories of her homeland and those of far flung places.  Stories of people’s lives – their struggles and their triumphs. As a child, Tilly was taken to the local theatre to see a pantomime.  It was here, sitting enchanted on a red velvet seat in a darkened auditorium that something jumped up and down inside her shouting ‘Eureka!’  She had discovered the key that would lead her into a wider, wilder world of stories.

The years that followed found Tilly exploring her discovery through performance, writing, directing, storytelling, acting the fool, facilitating and producing work, though work seemed a strange word for it when it was so much fun. On her mission to let others in on the secret of how much fun all these theatricalities can be she worked with as many people as would open their door to her: children and young people of all ages and attitudes, adults who wanted to remember more about how it felt to have fun and be free, people who found this crazy world a tough place to live and needed some help to conquer old patterns of behaviour and remember who they really were and of course anyone who just wanted to meet others like themselves.

Whilst working with the Blue Moon Theatre Company and as Tilly the Talespinner, she found that she especially enjoyed the discoveries that she was making in the world of storytelling, finding particular delight in the retelling of old stories in new styles thus making them come alive for new audiences.  During this time she also discovered the hidden treasure that lies in the very heart of these timeless tales, their ability to help us all make sense of the world in which we live, to heal old wounds and provide ways in which we can tell the tales that have shaped our own lives.

Alongside the tale telling, Tilly also began to explore the particular enjoyment that can be found on the streets by getting together with other creative types, dressing up in strange clothes and surprising strangers. Affairs of the heart took Tilly away from her homeland of Somerset to the county of Norfolk at the beginning of 2007.  Since that time her story has taken some very unexpected twists and turns which, were she to describe them to you, you would hardly believe and consider them to be fantasies in themselves but then, life is a story (they don’t call it his-story or her-story for nothing).

So on to the next chapter of the story…

Who knows?...

Anything is possible!

As Tilly the Tale Spinner Su has spun her tales far and wide throughout the British Isles in schools, theatres, village halls, drop-in centres, festivals and community events. She has also worked extensively in the primary school environment, at community events and children’s festivals as a storyteller, children’s theatre performer and workshop facilitator. As both Su and Tilly she has a growing repertoire of stories relating to the natural environment and she believes that more than ever, it is vital that we find ways of developing a respectful relationship with nature by listening to the wisdom of our ancestors.

She also offers workshops in storytelling for people of all ages in which particpants explore theme, style, narrative and technique using a number of different creative and enjoyable techniques.

For more info on Su check out her website: http://www.tillythetalespinner.moonfruit.com/ 

Or contact her at tillythetalespinner@yahoo.co.uk

Two themes in just one night- Tales from the Undercroft Samuin Special

In an attempt to take the world of grown up storytelling clubs by storm and continue our tradition of 'telling on the edge', the regulars at Tales from the Undercroft meet on the 2nd November had not just 1, but 2 themes. The first half of the night was devoted to super-short stories, specifically stories that are no longer than 3 minutes. The theme for the second half was Spooky Stories: tales of ghosts, monsters or anything else that makes you think twice about turning out the lights. As Undercroft regular Tall Tale Liam  put it....

A challenge was thrown down to the tellers this month - could they find a story that was less than 3 minutes long? Doubts were expressed from the cloistered benches and someone even produced a timepiece ... the challenge was on ... up stepped Rita and immediately drove the doubters from the field with a compelling and emotional tale that provoked a collective heartfelt sigh from the audience at the end. And how long was the story? A mere 5 words. The art of brevity had been established and succeding performers drove home the message that the short tale was not only alive and well, but also full of wit and wisdom.  A mysterious hare, a student that had been turned into a donkey by his wicked uncle (or at least that's what the owner of the donkey was duped into believing by the clever students), a master swordsman defeated in combat by an old man with a sharper wit, the woman, who whilst drowning, still managed to get the better of her husband, and the brave Irish champion who inadvertently assisted a corpse in a final spasm of murder and several other colourful characters paraded themselves before our eyes (believe me ...they were there) during the short sharp tale section. 

  

During that emotionally turbulent period all our hearts went out to the inimitable Joy when she took it upon herself to remind the audience, in a tone that would suffer no doubting, that 'all my stories are true'. All the other tellers nodded in agreement, somewhat embarrassed by their own omission of such an important fact in the preambles to their own stories.

Laurie Steel telling a tale about a man with no tale to tell.

Next, when the laughter had ceased and tears were mopped up, we endeavoured to terrify our audience with tales to honour the season, although in truth most of us went for weird, wonderful and in my case just really silly.  Trolls, dismembered hands, Death, Youth, sacks of skin and bones, Old Nick, ghouls and ghosts marched like a macabre army out of the bricks, through the audience and headed up the steps toward the bar, leaving the pale-faced audience gripping their glasses tightly in the face of the emphatic visions of the otherworld and it's grim population. It was with both relief and joy that we seized upon moments of applause to spare us from the terror of it all. Perhaps the most chilling story came from Kelly Kanayama who led us down a dark ghost road in Japan to meet the defenceless crying girl whose mouth, eyes and nose slipped from her face when she looked up to greet the drunk in whose company we were in. As the drunk fled the scene he gratefully fell into the company of that old familiar staple of the Japanese street, the noodle seller. As the noodle seller raised his lamp to bring light for the drunk's comfort, Kelly lent forward and gently blew the lamp out, and we were all plunged into the faceless darkness of the haunting child ....you had to be there to see it.

Whilst Tall Tale Liam by his own admission: appeared to be attempting to acquire the mantle of teller of the longest tale by resuming a story that he began three months ago ... the tale of the Fisherman, his Son, and the Sorcerer of Tricks ...and then, at risk of being pelted with rotten fruit (luckily no one had any) proceeded to leave the tale unfinished ... he promised, with the kind of conviction that only a teller of dubious truths can, that the ending would be told at the next Undercroft gathering. Veiled threats were uttered around the room at this violation of storytelling protocol and we've yet to discover whether Liam will make it to the next gathering unscathed.

A growing audience at the Undercroft (If you look closely you can see their terrified faces)

Special thanks to Laurie Steel for getting the whole club under way, many moons ago, in the Workshop and the Black Horse, and making the posters and flyers for the new venue. Also to Jim Kavanagh for his new Undercroft Graphics and to all those who joined us this night. Just to remind you that our next gathering is on the 7th December (7.30 for 8.00 start) with tales of Yule to Misrule.  Anyone wanting to tell can email me at theyarnsmith@yahoo.co.uk or put their name down when they arrive.

Dave Tong - The Yarnsmith

Liam Carroll - Tall Tale Liam