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':

Sophie Snell

“Bless me Father, for I have sinned!” A young girl hiding in the confessional overhears her neighbours’ confessions. As she listens with growing unease, stories unfold that should never be told…  At turns dark and comic, be prepared for thrills and spills on this rollicking ride through the Seven Deadly Sins!

"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

Jim Kavanagh*

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...

Dave Tong - The Yarnsmith

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.

For more information and to book a place on the workshop contact theyarnsmith@yahoo.co.uk

Breakout at the Undercroft

Thank you to all those who joined us at the Undercroft after our summer break. Not only did we have over 40 in the audience, but also three new tellers to the club - Roger joined us all the way from Leicestershire and cleared up the mystery of why some monkey's bums are bare. Rachel told us of the terrible deeds of Black Shuck, whilst Amrita told us an Inuit story about 'Shit Man'. He was not alone in lowering the tone (Albeit in a wonderful way) as we also heard tell of a man who was destined to sleep with his right middle finger stuck up his wife's  bum in order to stop her from straying! To know more of that particular story go to http://talesfromtheyarnsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/the-cuckold-and-ring.html

We are also pleased to see that many of the regulars are telling beyond and above the  ancient brick and stone vaults of the Undercroft. Firstly we have Liam Carroll and Dave Tonge telling Tales through Time at Wymondham Library on the 19th of this month..

The performance is part of the Wymondham Literary Festival, which this year focuses on 'A sense of place', although we have moved away from a literal translation of the theme, preferring instead to explore a sense of place in terms of our changing relationship with religion in all its forms and throughout the ages.

Also this month we have another outing to Suzanne the Story Weavers new storytelling club, Tales and Ales at Geldeston Locks on the boarder with Suffolk (So be careful!) its on the 20th and the theme is Magical Harvest Moon. 

Visit the locks website for more info.. http://www.geldestonlocks.co.uk/

In October another Undercroft regular, Sarah Walker is organising a storytelling tent at the Magdalen/Augustine Street Fair. Its on the13th and to find out more vistit their blog here.. /http://magdalenstreet.blogspot.co.uk/

And finally at the end of October on the 26th, some of us from the Undercroft will be telling Tales from the Otherworld. Ritual, Custom and Stories to mark the beginning of the Dark Season. It's a set of stories aimed at teenagers that have a celtic feel and are definitely not the typical spooky halloween fare traditionally told at that time of year. The Session is part of the Scottish Storytelling Centres 'Tell a Story Day' initiative on the 26th and anyone else wanting to set up an event can visit their site here... http://www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk/festival/tasd.asp

Storytelling Training

So as you can see we at the Undercroft are bursting out thither and yon and anyone else wanting to join us can start by coming to our storytelling workshop on the 17th of October at the Undercroft where some of the regulars will share their tips and tricks and also some storytelling activities.  It's an informal session aimed at beginners and those who want to hone their skills. For more information watch this space and also our Facebook page.

Our next storytelling gathering is on October 3rd and the theme is Transformation. I'm sure many of us will be celebrating the changing seasons, when the leaves transform from green to brown to golden and there is a waft of wood smoke in the air, but as usual i'm sure our tellers will take their stories here, there and anywhere else for that matter.  We meet at 7.30 for and 8.00 start, so be on time or Jim will transform into a great green monster and definitely have your guts for garters!

Dave Tonge - The Yarnsmith 

Art work by Jim Kavanaugh

The Undercroft Tellers abroad...

While Jurnet is away wherever it is that a Mediaeval Jewish merchant would go for his holidays, we thought we'd show you that occasionally Undercroft folk do venture out into the sunlit world beyond his thick stone vaulting, and make just as big fools of themselves there as well.

This June there was a positive "group outing" to a new cultural event in north Norfolk, called FALCON (click the name & check it out!).  A warm Saturday was spent in the green grounds of Holt Hall, amidst trees, birdsong and dozens of other performers, musicians & artists providing cultural nourishment to the families of Norfolk, while we just told our usual collection of unlikely tales, far-fetched fables & awful jokes (lies & stories, in other words).

The Yarnsmith a'fore his tent

And we were grateful, nay, privileged & heartily glad, to have, by the kindness of his bearded heart, the fantastic story-telling tent of The Yarnsmith of Norwich in which to so do.  This is a Burgundian style, bell-ended (can I say that?), red & white beauty, in which the good Smith creates a rich interior setting, with genuine fleeces to sit on and a marvellous painted hanging of mediaeval scenes, to enhance the whole experience of hearing tales of old(e).

If you look carefully you'll catch glimpses of the hanging behind us.

The Gobbo demonstrates the art of showing blank pieces of paper

A spellbinding creation, this hanging has scholars & art historians in bitter disagreement over it's age & origin, when in fact all they really need decide is was it painted mainly in the kitchen or more in the back garden?  Kitchen, I think myself.

Ms K's curiousity was tickled

With only wooden pegs & hemp guy-ropes, putting up this substantial canvas structure on a breezy morn' was fun for those of us who live conveniently modern, (or modernly convenient?) lives, and Miss Kelly, farthest travelled of all of us though she be, was curiously excited by those sweeping curves at either end.

A new sport is created...

As FALCON (bet you haven't checked it out yet, have you?) is a new initiative, and we it's first storytellers, we conferred amongst ourselves to add a little spice to the mix.

If you look at the first picture you'll see on the Smith's chalkboard the words "Hunt the Teller", at two o'clock.  Yes, a new game, a brand new bloodsport for children - wouldn't a storyteller's beard, or blood spattered fancy waistcoat, be a great trophy for a kid's bedroom?  Well, that was the plan, but in the end it had to be toned down, of course, typical of these days, and instead the tellers, when found hiding somewhere in the lovely grounds, would Tell A Tale Upon Request…!

Masters of camouflage: Ms K & The Gobbo vanish into the Hunt 

The hardy Undercroft tellers proved themselves adept at this "guerilla telling", a' roving through the green wood like spirits of Nature..!  Except in my case, which was more just sort of idling about, really.

Anyway, aha, you say, and in each tale would there be a CLUE as to what were the MYSTERY OBJECTS in the pedlar basket, back at the tent?

And you'd be quite correct, and those who had listened sharply enough to gather ALL the clues & correctly guess them would win: a brand new Mini Cooper!

Well that was my idea, but upon emptying the Jurnet's collection box the night before, we found we were just a few pennies short, so we had to re-think that one, blast it.  There's always some little snag, isn't there…

Obee Joyful & Tilly the T in perfect synchronisation

So as well as telling tales in the accustomed manner, as here demonstrated by Obee Joyful & Tilly the Talespinner (prizes for incorrect guesses as which is which), Jurnet's merry band provided this new & exciting Sport Of Kings.

The winners were two fine ladies & one gent.  Instead of a car, they got a cartoony pic of themselves, as historical characters of their own choosing, drawn upon the very spot, by The Gobbo (me).  They had worked hard, you know; after all there were four tellers to hunt down & listen to, and they well deserved what in only a few hundred years' time will undoubtedly be worth a bob or three… Most particular' impressive was the international flavour of their chosen folk, being: Joan d'Arc, Robby the Bruce & Elizabeth I.  Huzzah for such cultured children, I say.

As you can see, the 'Smith took a relaxed position during the Great Hunt, reckoning that someone had to stay with the tent in case of sneakies trying to peekies at the objects, and win by means most foul & dastardly.  That's what he said, anyway.

  

The Gobbo perfects
sleeping on your feet

What a lovely, green place is Holt Hall, especially as that afternoon drew in, the audience relaxed, swifts whistled overhead as the last teller told, the Gobbo poured his final cup of tea, wondering how to avoid helping take down the tent, dogs dozing, ah... a summer day's bliss.

A great day out for all it was,

On which great deeds were done,

Nowt shall be recalled in song,

So count yourself among the wise,

If you so came along…

The Gobbo

Pot Luck at the Undercroft this September

The Giant and the Cobbler from The Origins of the Wrekin 

 A Shropshire tale adapted into a story about the origins of of Norwich castle mound

Thanks to all those who joined us on Wednesday July 4th for 'All Creatures Great and Small'. Numbers were down a bit, probably because everyone was going bonkers over the Olympic Torch passing through Norwich, but all who came had a great night. The regulars did us proud with stories about creatures from myth and legend, including a cowardly dragon and a giant who for some reason (Never established) wished to drown the good people of Yarmouth. We even got to hear tales of insects - From some sexed up ants who wanted to 'get it on' with an elephant and a teenage cricket with issues! Liam treated us to a superb story of how the Son of Adam tricked a Lion, aka 'the Son of the Sultan of Cruel Beasts' and we even got to hear two new tellers: Jo performed the Jabberwocky superbly and Tobi who told a jest about a blue dragon living in a blue world. I won't spoil it by telling the punch line.

The Jabberwocky from Through the Looking Glass

  Lewis Carrol, 1871

BUT NOTE: 

There won't gathering in August as Jurnets closes for its summer holidays and we will be back on Wednesday September 5th for a night of 'Pot Luck'. In other words there will be no theme as such, rather we'll be telling tales inspired by the one that went before. It might be a character, a situation, a place or time, or anything else in a story that grabs the next teller. To be honest I and other regulars often do that anyway, but i'll be interesting to see where it takes us!  

Here's hoping you all have a great summer and we'll see you all in September 5th

Remember, 7.30 for and 8.00 start. (Lest you upset Jim!)

Dave Tonge - The Yarnsmith
Header by Jim Kavanagh

Storytelling Training

At some point in the near future some of the regulars at the Undercroft want to run some training sessions for those who are new to storytelling and/or those who wish to develop their skills further. In the meantime however one of our regulars and well known artist & teller of tales, Paul Jackson is running a one or two day course at Assington Mill in Suffolk. It takes place on the 23rd and 24th of June and the first day is for beginners, the 2nd day is, 'a much more shamanic approach for 'Tellers Who Tell', but don't yet have much confidence or are unsure of their Inner voice'.

Paul Jackson

Paul also writes,  I have been asked to create a new form of workshop that will include favorite approaches from earlier workshops, but with a different emphasis. I have chosen the theme of best loved East Anglian Tales. Including The Dark Moon, Potter Heigham Drummer Boy, Black shuck and The Green Mist. This workshop is a friendly way into storytelling. It's for both the beginner and those who have started on the path of the Storyteller. You can book for either the first day, the second day or for both days.  
 
The first day will retrace a couple of these East Anglian tales, uncovering and entering into their story so that you will never forget how to tell them.  We will find out what it feels like to be Black shuck, see the world through the eyes of the moon, or skate across the broads as a ghost and how, as you beat your drum, it beats to the rhythm of of the story.. I will use a number of group  techniques for this including: 

Lifting from the page - How to convert the written story into the oral.
Your story my story - We all have a story to tell.
Images and Landscapes - Stepping inside the stories of East Anglia and how the landscape helps create these stories

Finally we will see how the use of voice, movement, sound, silence, speed, clocking and of course preparation all play a major roll in this ancient art form.

For more on Paul's storytelling, check out his website at: www.pauljacksonstory.com/

&

 For more information on the course contact Paul on 01692409036 

or 

Go to the Assington Mill Website

Dave Tonge, the Yarnsmith

Review of Roisin Murray's 'As Time Goes By'

It was another crowded night at the Undercroft, which was particularly pleasing considering that the last meet was only two weeks ago and I put on an extra one off performance of Dame Fortunes Wheel only a few weeks before that.

Clearly there were many looking forward to hearing our first guest teller, Roisin Murray as there was a hushed silence yet also a papable excitement  and heightened anticipation that we regulars rarely enjoy! Probably because Roisin sat silently, yet owning the space even before I finally got round to introducing her. She was an island of calm that belied the intensity of her first story of the death of Beowulf - A tale that just suddenly appeared before us having grown seamlessly out of her introduction to George; a man wrestling with retirement and the onset of old age. I truly felt for George, although we didn't have time to dwell upon his fears as we like George were time and again transported to other times and places, culminating in the story of Baucis and Philemon  and the last flowering of their  lifelong love and companionship. All of which proved to George and indeed all of us in the Undercroft that regardless of what the young might think, life does not end at 30!

 

Roisin in full flow

Apologies for the grainy image, but what can you do?

Roisin told with passion, but with a mischievous glint in her eye and many fabulous asides that kept her connected with the audience. A warm and generous teller with a great sense of irreverence that I and everyone else really enjoyed. As one audience member wrote in the all new Undercroft Comments Book: Roisin's stories were amazing. Full of humour and very human. A true study of emotion, wonder and humanity. I was spellbound throughout.

Roisin was followed by tales from the floor with her husband Wallace stepping in to fill the gap of a few missing regulars and he too told a very moving story that made for another well needed island of calm in a second half made up of many a silly tale. Something the Undercroft does well.

Our next gathering is on June 6th and the theme is Magick and Mysterie. A good loose theme, because as always it means tellers can take their stories here, there and anywhere else for that matter. As usual we meet at 7.30 for and 8.00 start, so be on time  or Jim will have your guts for garters

Dave Tonge - The Yarnsmith