Dame Fortune's Wheel and the Three Estates

Artwork by Jim Kavanagh

On the 28th of March the Undercroft will be hosting an additional performance by one of its regulars, Dave Tonge - The Yarnsmith.

Dame Fortune's Wheel and the Three Estates and is a lighthearted exploration of medieval feudal society - Of the three 'classes' of men and women from long ago. Those who work, those who pray and those who fight. The performance vividly illustrates the ups and downs of people’s lives as they rode upon Fortune’s Wheel. The stories also celebrate the use of the mystical number three, a motif commonly found in many traditional tales. The performance promises a compelling mix of humorous and revealing tales, interwoven with crafty and relevant riddles. Tale telling that brings the long past into the here and now.

As per usual we gather from about 7.30 for an 8.00 start

With a break  about 8.45-9.00 for refreshments from the bar.

Any one wishing to know more about Dave or his storytelling can visit his website at: http://www.theyarnsmithofnorwich.com/

Or contact him directly at theyarnsmith@yahoo.co.uk

or 

07908515766

Lust & Loss at the Undercroft - 'The Illuminators Wife'

 

As Undercroft regular Joy reminded us, last Wednesdays gathering was the beginning of Imbolc -The Celtic festival marking the beginning of spring and so a perfect time to celebrate lust and loss at the undercroft. But as Dave Tonge observed, "You can't have one without the other - For it is the way of stories and perhaps real life that lust leads to loss". He backed up this assertion with a tale he calls 'The Best Forgotten', where a young peasant girl's lust for coin and a chance meeting with a ghostly Monk leads to the loss of all she hungered after.

Shock or Shame? You decide.

But whilst Dave focused on lust for coin, the other tellers were more content to tell tales of physical lust that sent ripples of shock through some in the audience and shame amongst those who were disturbed at their own enjoyment in the sins of the flesh. Liam Carroll took this to extremes with the tale of 'Genesis' and the origins of Original Sin, although the most literal interpretation of the theme this month should go to Jim Kavanagh with his version of 'The Illuminators Wife' - Of a Norwich artist who being down on his luck and with a young beautiful wife to support, decides to journey to Bruges to find work. But being forced to leave his young wife at home he contrives to paint a lamb on her stomach, beneath her navel. His finest most delicate work, the fragile nature of which was designed to ensure that no other man would be able to take advantage of his wife whilst he is away. For two and half years he labours in foreign lands till he has enough coin to return to his home in Norwich and his beautiful wife. And no sooner has he arrived than he undresses his wife only to find that the delicately detailed lamb has been replaced with a roughly painted Ram complete with long horns, which as some of will know is the symbol of the Cuckold. But as Jim pointed out to all gathered at the Undercroft, 'What else should the Illuminator expect, for two and a half years had gone by. Plenty of time for a lamb to grow into a ram!' *

Dave Tonge telling to a packed house

*If you enjoyed Jim's tale you can also read some of Dave the Yarnsmith's stories at: http://talesfromtheyarnsmith.blogspot.com/
Just remember stories are better heard than read!

Next months gathering is on the 7th March with guest teller Sophie Snell telling her 'Seven Deadly Sins'. Free crisps and cake for those who arrive before the 8.00 start!

Dave Tonge  - The Yarnsmith

Artwork by Jim Kavanagh

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