What an extraordinary 2018 we’ve had!
Tons of love and massihooove appreciation to the venues and clients who have booked us and had faith in us. You know who you are and we really appreciate the trust you have put in us. To the other storytellers who have joined us on our journey- again you know who you are if you are reading this and it has meant more than I can say to be able to share the road with you. And above all to the audiences who have bought their imaginations, sense of humour and open ears. Thank you listening audience you make the alchemy and magic of storytelling!
So here is some cool stuff George and I did (and more photos at the end):
LOADS of wonderful school visits beautiful libraries and very important parties!
A special story commissioned by the Austrian Tourist Board to launch their winter season (to be told over a glamorous dinner at Fullham Palace during three separate courses.) Workshops for illustration students at Camberwell College of Arts. National Storytelling Week celebrations for families at Rich Mix. A sold-out “Terrifying tales for Enchanted Nights” (for older children) at Shakespeare’s Globe. Family days for parent-students at Kings College London, A week-long collaboration with the Southbank Centre Archives and the Royal College of Music. Specially commissioned fairytale for the Flower Fairies exhibition at the Garden Museum which was so popular we added extra dates! Special autumn commission by the Barbican Centre for the Francis Uprichard exhibition at the Curve Gallery. “Mission Invertebrate” (a specially commissioned story about insects told across London’s Royal Parks through the summer.) Scary Halloween legends for a Masked Ball in an East London Crypt. A series of colourful family festivals in East London. Immersive stories at night in the National Maritime Museum. Yuletide at the Foundling Museum with the Nest Collective and some stellar folk acts. Family shows at the V&A. “Eye-Openers” an amazing collaboration with Time Out and the London Eye which ran for two seasons…. AND>>
Books:
Paddington Bear entrusted us with his story during his 60th anniversary year. We told the story all over the UK at literary festivals and special events and this was such a big task that we couldn’t manage it even between the two of us… so we were very grateful to fantastic storyteller Emily Duizend for helping us out! The most exciting part was getting to tell the story on board the Bellmond British Pullman- a vintage steam hauled train which features in the movie… and we even got to meet the bear himself! (below) Over Christmas and New Year I was asked to read the books live on the official Paddington Bear….>
Facebook page… It was wonderful but slightly daunting to realise I’d be broadcasting into the front rooms of homes across the whole world! You can watch my efforts on Paddington Bear Movie Facebook page or below!
Story Circle:
After a successful and sold out “Festival of Stories” with Southwark Council in Early Summer, we decided to hold a monthly story circle in the Autumn. To reach our magical venue you have to find the unassuming doorway just around the back of Trafalgar Square. You proceed through a series of ever-stranger doors and twisting stairways to a cosy mirrored room deep underground surrounded by books. We told our tales by candle and electric light to the rumble of tube trains. We were delighted by the variety and quality of what we heard and we hope to create more opportunities for diverse and amazing storytellers to share their tales over 2019.
London Dreamtime adventures:
I’m delighted to say that our London Dreamtime events continue to be popular and frequently sell out. Strange and possibly illegal storytelling adventures in midnight forests, beside giant Sphynxes (below), in Abney Park Cemetery… on the trail of highwaymen, vampires and alchemists. We were also honoured to be invited to bring our storytelling on board the Cutty Sark for a sold out halloween show. In December 2018 Vanessa was invited to talk about London Dreamtime for the Citizen M “Citizens of London” series curated by Saira Niazi and it was brilliant!
Stuff we are repeating in 2019… come along!
We are thrilled to be invited back to a number of schools and special schools which we have already visited in 2018. Yay!!
In June 2018 we had a haunting and mysterious Portals of London adventure in Stoke Newington (above) and we’re doing another one this May.
Over the course of 2018 we did various storytelling performances for adults by Candlelight at Southwark Cathedral. The next one is here.
A Ghost walk of Wapping. Loved 2018’s so much we just had to do one more!
Secret Garden Storytelling around the Fire. We’ve been storytelling in this secret garden for three years and it is the perfect way to bring light magic and warmth to the end of January. All details here and we’d love to see you!
(And look out for more story circles, Barbican adventures and terrifying tales! Upcoming events here.)
Read about 2017 here.
A few pictures:
Vanessa telling “The Highgate Vampire” in Swains Lane
George Hoyle storytime in St Paul’s Cathedral
George Hoyle telling The Gingerbread Man in Westfield Shopping Centre for Christmas
Vanessa and George “ghosts of the Thames” with Olivia Armstrong on board the Cutty Sark
Filming “Paddington at St Pauls”:
