Past Events

The following identify a few of the storytelling events that have taken place in Surrey over the last couple of years.  This is not a comprehensive list and is intended only to provide the "flavour" and scope of the events that have taken place.

Waxing Lyrical - Adult Storytelling Practice & Coaching Group.
The Ewell based group continues to meet regularly once a month. An addition group has also been meeting in Farnham.

Many of the beginner’s are now telling in the open mike slot at "Three Heads in a Well" - Adult Storytelling Circle and those with some previous storytelling experience have said they have "more confidence and feel they are telling in a more professional manner."

23rd July 2010 - Umi Sinha told “Twists of Fate” at Three Heads in a Well. Umi Sinha told a collection of stories, both traditional and biographical, about those times when Fate takes a hand and something unexpected happens that changes everything, sometimes but not always - for the better…

25th June 2010 - Sef Townsend told “A Tale of the Middle Sea” - Un Kuento de la Mar del Sentro' at Three Heads in a Well. Sef Townsend was joined by Rebekka Weddell and Raphael Rodan to tell Stories of Bloody War and Perfect Peace drawn from the ancient Sephardic, Turkish & Arab romances of the Middle Sea, (the Mediterranean), with live music, taking us to worlds of delight, of the spice market, as well as to the horrors of the battlefield. 

28th May 2010 - Alison Royce told “Wise, Weird and Wonderful” at Three Heads in a Well. Alison comes from Hammersmith’s “Around the Fireside” storytelling club. Her stories were of intrigue, passion, and manipulation - tales for the overindulged, rebellious, confused and audacious generation.

29th January 2010.   Tim Ralphs told "The Queen of Claywood Flats" at Three Heads in a Well. Tim took inspiration from his home city of Sheffield and asked “What fae creatures dwell amidst these scenes of urban regeneration?” He wove together a medley of traditional tales, the result had a flavour of Neil Gaiman, an echo of Chaucer, and yet remained immediate, entrancing, playful and above all unique."  Tim has been a "Young Storyteller of the Year" finalist, and he was born in Epsom!

27th and 28th November 2009 - Shonaleigh Cumbers - "Tower of Bagel".
Shonaleigh Cumbers, renowned storyteller, spun a tale of dark dreams, bright hopes and a child's cradle made of pastry at the "Three Heads in a Well" adult storytelling circle.

On the following day Shonaleigh held a Voice Workshop.

     

Shonaleigh - a fiery storyteller!

Wednesday 9th December 2009 - A special event at the Sanctuary.
Janet Dowling - "Healing Words".
A talk with stories of her experiences in Israel & Palestine, using storytelling to bring groups of Israelis and Palestinians together to exchange their stories and explore a different way to communicate.

The “Fearsome Fairy Tales for Fearless Adults” Tour of Surrey.
Between August and December 2009 "The Fearsome Fairly Tales" tour of Surrey has visited many venues throughout Surrey, including the Ashley Centre in Epsom, the Light Box in Woking, the Vaulted Cellar of Denbies Wine Estate, the Guildford Institute and the Culture Cafe - Rose Theatre in Kingston. 

The large adult audiences at all the venues soon realised that:

Not everything fairy is sweetness and light!

The dark tales of the fairy world where everything is not as it seems were told by professional storytellers from the Surrey Storytellers Guild who run the "Three Heads in a Well" Storytelling Circle for Adults in Ewell Village.

Comments from the audiences included:

"this was a brilliantly wonderful and frightening experience . The storyteller was brilliant and I look forward to listening to more stories in the future."

"captivating stories and I forgot I was in the Ashley Centre. Excellent."

"I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and marveled at the way they were cleverly linked."

Beginners Workshop for Adults - 23th October 2009.
The Surrey StoryTellers Guild aim is to promote the art of storytelling for Adults, Young People and Children throughout the county of Surrey. This workshop  lead by Alex Somerville  and held in the Farnham Maltings, provided the opportunity for residents in the south of the county to get on the first steps towards becoming a storyteller.

25th September 2009 at Three Heads in a Well.
Peter Chand - "Mangoes on the Beach". Peter told the story of his parents' journey to Britain in the 1950's and wove it with traditional Indian tales.  The piece explored themes such as the caste system, separation, misunderstandings and the infinite ties that bind a family.

Peter Chand in full flow.

26th June 2009 at Three Heads in a Well.
Featured Storyteller Kate Portal presented “Tales for Summer”.  These tales brought the brightness of the summer evening right into The Sanctuary - she
added extra warmth with a few songs and tunes.

29th May 2009 at Three Heads in a Well.
Featured Storyteller Alex Somerville searched out the truth in and amongst a cornucopia of Egyptian and Urban Myths. Threading them all together was the snake which gets everywhere from guarding a treasure at the bottom of the River Nile to hiding in a cowboy boot. This was a thought-provoking and spell-binding show that dealt with the paradox of creation and the reason why we believe in stories.

24th April 2009 at Three Heads in a Well.
Featured Storyteller Xanthe Gresham, brought us "The Bag of Wonders". This was Storytelling that's as sharp as a lemon and as sweet as a nut. Accept it or not, we are all hooked on our baggage system, whether it's a clutch bag or a holdall, but we forgot what's in ours and and rummaged around in Xanthre's bottomless bag. Between the kitchen sink and the old tube tickets laid a pick and mix of marvels, fibs and fables.  What a lucky dip!

27th March 2009 at Three Heads in a Well.
Featured Storyteller Christine Stone, brought us "Of Life, Love and Longing". Stories of life’s journeying, of dreams and yearning . . . . a weaving of tales amidst these timeless themes that touched upon us all; tales old and new that brought mystery and wisdom and a gladdening of the heart!

National Storytelling Week - 30th January/7th February 2009.

This year there were over 15 storytelling events around Surrey to celebrate National Storytelling week.

The week of events got off to a fantastic start with Jamie Crawford bringing the stories of “King Arthur” to life at the “Three Heads in a Well” Adult Storytelling Club.

Jamie Crawford enthralling the audience with his tales of King Arthur.

To help those new to storytelling workshops were run for both adults and children. These workshops, lead by Janet Dowling and Alex Somerville covered subjects such as how to learn a story, and how to tell a story.

Other events included storytelling for families at Bourne Hall in Ewell, Rhymetime sessions for toddlers at Guildford House Gallery and storytelling sessions in schools in collaboration with Bourne Hall Museum and the Surrey Hills Association.

And finally for the adults Janet Dowling told a set of stories titled “Fearless Girls and Wise Women” at Richmond Library.

Press Release

The following press cutting comes from the Sutton Guardian, dated
5th February 2009.

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