Storytelling

I love stories of from any time & place I tend to focus on ancient and medieval stories. When I perform as a medieval pilgrim, I tell stories I could have collected as I wandered, risking bandits and shipwreck, to visit the Holy Places of Europe and the Near East.

This gives me a rich source of authentic tales and I tell of Robin Hood, King Arthur, St George and the Dragon, Alexander the Great and Beowulf as well as stories from the Bible, the Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, 1001 Nights, Herodotus and Aesops Fables. I also tell the tales that inspired Shakespeare and many from Greek and Roman Mythology.

I'm particularly proud of my award winning telling of the Epic Cycle of Troy. I tell the whole cycle in two hours. The middle section of this story cycle is actually The Iliad which I've performed as a 55 minute show at Pentameters Theatre and the Brighton, Clapham & Camden Fringes. My current touring show is Firestarter: John Ball & the Great revolt - which combines my storytelling with Lizzie Gutteridge's live-looping of medieval music. Please contact me if you'd like to know more or would like to be on my mailing list.

My storytelling style can be very interactive and sometimes even declamatory and varies from humorous to dramatic as pleases the audience. I perform in and out of costume as suits the venue and event.

Music

I have an ever increasing collection of reproduction ancient and medieval instruments (Lyres, Harps, Dulcimer, Shawms, Crumhorns, Recorders, Bagpipes, Curtals ...) . It's currently over fifty and varying in size and authenticity with a few more modern instruments now sneaking in.

They get used in my talks and storytelling as well as for music gigs. My repertoire is mainly from sources that date from the earliest surviving into the sixteenth century. Some of it is recorded on 'Etoile'. 'Etoile' is by Stella Splendens & is a thirteenth to sixteenth century dance album with chill out tracks.

The album is due to be available online  but please email me for more information or go to the Facebook page:- Stella Splendens

Stella Splendens is a group of musicians who travel the country and have had great fun playing for banquets in Guildford Guildhall, Sudeley Castle, Loxwood Joust and Horsham.

I also run dance workshops and have had great fun teaching medieval and sixteenth century dances.