I’m a professional storyteller whose sensitive, spare and stylish performances evoke powerful visions of vanished and fantastical worlds.
Originally from the north-east of England, I now work in London and across the UK, sharing stories with people of all ages. And, as a performer in the oral tradition, my repertoire of tales evolves with each new live telling.
My first full-length show, The Border Ballads, based on traditional songs from the lawless lands between Scotland and England, premiered at A Bit Crack (Newcastle) in 2009. I’ve appeared in six seasons of Vayu Naidu Company’s ‘Licence to Tell’ tour, and in 2011 I was one of six emerging storytellers chosen to showcase their work at the Annual Gathering of the Society for Storytelling. I’m currently developing a new storytelling show called The Queen’s Tail, exploring the murky mythology of Victorian London.
I also work regularly with students and staff at universities and drama schools, using storytelling to help promote public engagement with academic research, and introducing the historical development and practical skills of performance storytelling.
You can read about a few of my upcoming gigs below …
Coming Soon …
5 February 2012 – Folk’n’Fairies at Stoke the Fire
Stoke the Fire is exactly what a public house was designed for: inspirational words and music, sharing ideas and quenching both the literal and creative thirst. On the first Sunday of every month this year (apart from August) Stoke the Fire will be full to the brim with underground artists with extraordinary ideas and talent, and I’ll be chucking some folk and fairy tales, old and new, into the fabulous mix! At Ryan’s Bar Basement, 181 Church Street, London, N16 0UL, 8.00pm (doors 7.30pm). Tickets £4 OTD.
4 June 2012 – Stand Up Tragedy
Stand Up Tragedy is a new night where people get up on stage and do some tragedy, and I’ll be telling a bleak, brooding fairy tale with no magic and definitely no singing mice, set against the backdrop of the city of London. Come and let some great performers make you sad, make you think and make you smile. At the Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BX, 8.30pm. Tickets £10/8 and available to book online.