James von Leyden worked as a copywriter and travel writer before becoming a novelist. He first visited Morocco in 1985. Fifteen years later, while researching a travel article for The Independent, he came across an old customs house in Oualidia, the Villa La Diouana, which he restored and now rents out as a holiday home. Last Boat from Tangier is his second thriller featuring a Marrakchi detective and his adoptive sister. James divides his time between Oualidia and Lewes, East Sussex.
Taffy Thomas trained as a Literature and Drama teacher at Dudley College of Education. After teaching for several years in Wolverhampton he founded and directed the legendary folk theatre company, Magic Lantern, illustrating traditional stories and songs with shadow puppets and circus skills. He founded and directed the community arts company, Charivari, with their popular touring […]
Any stories
Right now remembering what day it is, is challenging enough, so let’s keep it simple. ‘Any Stories’ is a storytelling show where no-one knows what will happen, at least not yet. So why not come along and see how it plays out?
Join Hannah Need, Storyteller of Southfields, for an evening of superb storytelling. You’ll escape into stories, traditional tales will have a twist, personal anecdotes, observations and perhaps a smattering of news will be skillfully added to the mix. A few happy endings will even be thrown in.
If you’d like to know a little more…..Imagine its February 2021, we’re in the midst of another Lockdown, concentration is fleeting, zoom overdoses are common and cabin fever is rife. So how on earth can plans be made for a storytelling show in June? Don’t you love deadlines! Then, an idea….’I’ll just keep it simple and tell any stories that pop into my head’. Its an exciting idea, the stories will be pertinent, heartfelt and definitely leave you with a smile on your face.
This show is brought to you in partnership with Wandsworth Arts Fringe 2021.
Tahir Shah is the author of “The Caliph’s House” set in Casablanca as well as many other non-fiction books and novels. He will talk about his experience of writing during lockdown, his comical time in quarantine at a hotel in Heathrow as well as his enduring affinity with Morocco.
We will be conducting polls to decide the Menu: starter, main and desert. Chef will share ingredient shopping lists before the night so that those of you who want can cook along. Donations are welcome and every penny will be spent on food ingredients for the henna cafe soup kitchen during the holy month of […]
Luc has written a wonderful book called “The Unknown Fallen” which is about the vast contribution and sacrifices made by Moroccans and other Muslims towards the Allied forces during the First World War.
More than 2.5 million Muslims fought on the battlefields for the allies and yet their efforts have often been ignored and overlooked.
The talk will include documents, testimonies, maps, photos and illustrations. Luc hopes that the book will foster greater understanding between different faiths and nations and counter some of the misunderstandings and false narratives about Islam.
Multi-award winning writer, Paro Anand writes for children, young adults and adults. She started out telling lies but has graduated to telling hard truths in her reality fiction. As a performance storyteller, she has travelled all over India and the World. She works with children, especially those in difficult circumstances, whether special needs or those […]
Since 2014 our friends at Cafe Clock have facilitated apprenticeships for young tellers as well as hosting magical storytelling evenings on Monday and Thursday evenings. We are excited to host those evenings online at World Storytelling Cafe from Thursday 26th March. visit : https://worldstorytellingcafe.com/cafe-clock-tellers to learn more and make a donation to Zakaria in appreciation […]
Co Founders of Henna Cafe Marrakech Mike Wood and Lucie Andersen Wood discuss with Richard Hamilton, writer and Storyteller. During lockdown they have turned the Cafe into a soup kitchen and have already distributed more than 5,000 free meals to those in need. They are very keen to spread the word about the project as it offers support to vulnerable and marginalised people in a very practical and immediate way. The BMS is supporting the project financially but we want to encourage more direct donations and raise greater awareness. Every £1 donated funds a delicious and nutritious meal making a real difference to the day of the person who receives it.
Mike and Lucie will also be telling us about their other very successful project, The World Storytelling Cafe, which is bringing together storytellers from Morocco and around the world to entertain online audiences. It also provides much needed income (on a voluntarily donation basis) to storytellers who have been unable to perform in public during the pandemic. When the Covid crisis is finally over, they intend to create a physical cafe devoted to storytelling.
Olaf’s simple life is turned upside-down when the goat he cares for is distracted by a field of sweet-tasting flowers. But help arrives for Olaf – from a very unexpected source…
As well as screening this story to your young learners, teachers and educators should check the Epic Learning Podcast using your favourite podcast app for tips on learning outcomes using this story – including numeracy, science, and PE.
In the UK, a week in November is given to discuss bullying. Stories provide a safe space to explore this sensitive topic, and none moreso than the “origin” story of southern US folklore’s undisputed hero!
But at the start of this story, Brer Bunny (aka Brer Rabbit) doesn’t seem all that heroic…
To hear the end of this tale, your young learners will need to complete our Epic Challenge – while hitting a Literacy objective at the same time! In this video, we ask them to write a letter to Brer Bunny as Tortoise, Wolf, or Bison.
Plus: teachers and educators should check the Epic Learning Podcast at epictales.co.uk/story/tarbunny for tips on learning outcomes using this story – including numeracy, science, and PE.
On 11th November, countries worldwide mark Armistice Day to remember the sacrifices made by soldiers.
To help you sensitively explore themes of remembrance with your children, we have a story from renowned actor Jane Bower – but is there any truth to it?
To find out, your young learners will need to complete our Epic Challenge to win the end of the story, while hitting a Literacy objective at the same time! In this video, we ask them to make a poster to convince someone either to join the army or not.
Plus: teachers and educators should check the Epic Learning podcast at epictales.co.uk/story/herbert for tips on learning outcomes using this story – including numeracy, RE, and PE.
Bonfire Night is typically a celebration of light in the darkness, albeit with undertones of treason and plot. All these themes are shared with your young learners in this hilarious yet mysterious Epic Tale…
Keep track of your Georges!
Afterwards, your young learners will be fired up to attempt our Epic Challenge – meaning they win the end of the story, and hit a Literacy objective at the same time! In this video, we ask them to turn a word of their choice into a piece of art.
Plus: teachers and educators should check the Epic Learning podcast at epictales.co.uk/story/georges for tips on learning outcomes using this story – including numeracy, citizenship, and science!
Every Friday at 2pm, we share your young learners’ responses to our Epic Challenges – and, in return, we USUALLY tell the end of an Epic Tale…
…but this Epic Challenge involved writing a spooky poem, for which Chip offered to turn it into a spooky ballad!
And after getting a huge scare in our Epic Postbag, Chip has again teamed up with Tails the guitar – and the amazing Tracy from Lyrical Hands Signing Choir!
If your children haven’t already, let them also enjoy our musical version of a spooky fairy tale and be inspired to hit the Literacy goal of writing their own spooky poem – just visit epictales.co.uk/story/strummer
If they send them in, perhaps we’ll turn theirs into ballads too!
PLUS listen to the Epic Learning Podcast for activities exploring the many other learning outcomes in our Epic Tales – including numeracy, science, and DT!
Learn more about the fantastic work of Lyrical Hands and The Omnibus Project by visiting theomnibusproject.co.uk/lyrical-hands/
October ends with Halloween, but this is just the “Christmas Eve” of All Saints’ Day – a celebration of how incredible human beings can be.
So to help your young learners see how incredible THEY can be, we’re sharing a true story written by a saint… about two others saints!
Afterwards, your young learners will be fired up to attempt our Epic Challenge – meaning they win the end of the story, and hit a Literacy objective at the same time!
Plus: teachers and educators should check the Epic Learning podcast at epictales.co.uk/basic-story/caedmon for tips on learning outcomes using this story – including numeracy, history, and science!
Dave Hingley, illustrator and animator, who works for Frontier Developments – a company that makes computer games for franchises such as Disney Parks and Jurassic Park – and who just happens to have produced the illustrations for all our stories…!
Mann Matharu, author of books on the art of Reiki, and also CEO of a blockchain developer, who’ll be talking about how technological endeavours such as cryptocurrencies are improving the future’s equality.
The story will be Queen Emma’s attempt to prove her innocence of witchcraft by walking barefoot over scalding hot plough blades.
Join storyteller and historian Chip Colquhoun on his medieval quest to uncover Who
Made England
–
and why. This brand new second edition features more amazing
facts, more fabulous illustrations… and even the Devil!
Hear Chip tell some of the stories from
the book, some cut from the book due to
space, and even one performed on a medieval instrument! Plus buy the book during
the event, and watch Chip as he signs your personal copy…
Only at the World Storytelling Café! Suitable for all ages from 7+.
Support Chip : PayPal.me/storytellerchip
Our Enhanced Epics are especially designed for advancing readers. But note: we deliberately didn’t say “advanced” – your young learners will enjoy these videos at any age from 7+, and will grow their vocabulary as they go!
This week we welcome the rustically charming Gary Cordingley. Storyteller, with his adaptation of a Takuna folk tale from the Amazon Rainforest first collected by Aaron Shepard.
Perhaps your young learners could use Gary’s tale as inspiration for their forest poems asked for by Amy and Chip? Find the original Epic Challenge at epictales.co.uk/forestpoem
There you’ll also find a list of the new vocab used by Gary in this story. See how many new meanings your children picked up!
Plus check the Epic Learning Podcast for teacher tips on other learning outcomes in this week’s Epic double-act – including PSHCE, science, and even numeracy!
Wendy Shearer, London-based storyteller of Windrush heritage, and author of Caribbean Folk Tales.
There will also be a pre-recorded interview with Dr Charles Insley in the presence of Knut’s 1027 Proclamation, in which the Viking king strengthened his policy of equal justice for all (totally contrary to King John 200 years later, who signed Magna Carta then immediately ran to the Pope to get it annulled!).
Our Enhanced Epics are especially designed for advancing readers. But note: we deliberately didn’t say “advanced” – your young learners will enjoy these videos at any age from 7+, and will grow their vocabulary as they go!
This week we welcome the bedazzling Sarah Lloyd Winder to tell you TWO incredible tales in one – one true, one fable, but both remarkably intertwined. Can your young learners spot the differences and similarities between these stories and the tale of “The Woodcutter’s Golden Wand” shared by Chip?
To discuss the differences between this and the English folk tale from last week with your children, visit epictales.co.uk/woodwand
There you’ll also find a list of the new vocab used by Sarah in this story. See how many new meanings your children picked up!
Plus check the Epic Learning Podcast for teacher tips on other learning outcomes in this week’s Epic double-act – including PSHCE, science, and even numeracy!
Our Enhanced Epics are especially designed for advancing readers. But note: we deliberately didn’t say “advanced” – your young learners will enjoy these videos at any age from 7+, and will grow their vocabulary as they go!
This week we welcome the stunning and agile Sola Story, an African storyteller… and martial artist! Sola combines both arts to bring your young learners an unforgettable, mesmerising tale of a young outcast’s desire for revenge – which, like Robin Goodfellow from last week’s Epic Tale, doesn’t quite go as planned…
To discuss the differences between this and the English folk tale from last week with your children, visit epictales.co.uk/shapeshifter
There you’ll also find a list of the new vocab used by Sola in this story. See how many new meanings your children picked up!
Plus check the Epic Learning Podcast for teacher tips on other learning outcomes in this week’s Epic double-act – including DT, science, and even numeracy!
2020 marks 1,000 years since the UK’s first equality law, which laid the foundation for the progress that led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To celebrate and discuss this significant millennial, the World Storytelling Café is bringing together storytellers, historians, and creators to explore the themes of equality, diversity, and compassion.
Your donations during this event will support Youth for Human Rights.
In this episode we are joined by Min Kaur, a journalist for BBC and Sikh channels whose stories highlight communities being left behind. She’s also a freelance Mendhi/Henna artist, and will share tips on how you can #GetCreative and decorate your body to celebrate the millennial of equal justice.
Plus we’ll hear how a young king’s quest for love brought out the worst of medieval Britain’s aristocracy…
After some medieval storytelling and a discussion with Min, there will be a live Q&A for the audience who join us in the Café Zoom Room by clicking “Join story” at kingdom1000.com. PLEASE NOTE: Joining the Zoom room will NOT reveal your face to anyone – all questions are posted via the Zoom chat.
‘The Molten Boy and the Falling Star’ is an ancient story from the vast, windswept plains of the Caucasus. A strange secret birth and suspicions about paternity lead to an isolated childhood. Will the call to adventure lead to a triumphant return home? What will it take for the Molten Boy to claim his place and fulfil his heroic destiny?
2020 marks 1,000 years since the UK’s first equality law, which laid the foundation for the progress that led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To celebrate and discuss this significant millennial, the World Storytelling Café is bringing together storytellers, historians, and creators to explore the themes of equality, diversity, and compassion. Your donations […]
2020 marks 1,000 years since the UK’s first equality law, which laid the foundation for the progress that led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To celebrate and discuss this significant millennial, the World Storytelling Café is bringing together storytellers, historians, and creators to explore the themes of equality, diversity, and compassion.
Donations during this event are being taken to support Youth for Human Rights – and in this episode we are delighted to welcome the organisation’s founder and president, Mary Shuttleworth, to discuss exactly how widely equal justice is really being observed in the world today.
We will also get to look at the founding law of equal justice itself – Knut’s Proclamation of 1020 – in the company of Dr Charles Insley from Manchester University, and historian and author M.J.Trow.
At the end will be a live Q&A with the audience who join us in the Café Zoom Room by clicking “Join story” at kingdom1000.com or worldstorytellingcafe.com
2020 marks 1,000 years since the UK’s first equality law, which laid the foundation for the progress that led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To celebrate and discuss this significant millennial, the World Storytelling Café is bringing together storytellers, historians, and creators to explore the themes of equality, diversity, and compassion.
Your donations during this event will support Youth for Human Rights.
In this episode we are joined by John Row, a wordsmith of poetry and stories who curates the spoken word spaces for various festivals – including the Cambridge Folk Festival and Glastonbury’s Kidz Field. John will share tips on how you can #GetCreative with your own personal stories, and the reminiscences of those around you.
Plus we’ll hear how Chester was defended by a medieval “queen of the people”…
After some medieval storytelling and a discussion with John, there will be a live Q&A with the audience who join us in the Café Zoom Room by clicking “Join story” at kingdom1000.com
Sef Townsend has been telling traditional stories in shanty towns and cultural centres; refugee camps and festivals for the past 25 years. Apart from regular work in London schools, he works on cross-cultural, interfaith and peace & reconciliation projects both in the UK and internationally.
Irene uses words to inspire all ages, regularly appearing at arts/literature festivals and children’s events; she’s regularly booked by schools, museums, libraries, theatres, community groups, NHS, charities and more to facilitate bespoke sessions.
“As you can see it from my family name, I am Russian, but my home country is Estonia and that’s where I was born. My parents came to Estonia during the Soviet times to work in a theatre. They are actors, but I myself never took any acting classes nor studied acting. I loved telling and writing stories.”
Raine will be reading from her two pamphlets: Apple Water: Povel Panni’ & ‘they lit fires: lenti hatch o yog’ plus new poems from her forthcoming collection The Talking Stick: O Pookering Kosh.
She will also be sharing stories about her Romany family and singing songs and Gypsy lullabies, accompanied by Simon Callow on piano and guitar – we’re hoping for some spoon playing too!
Sharon Jacksties tells stories to audiences of adults, young people and families.
Her dynamic and versatile performances draw on stories from all over the world.
Interpreting the wisdom of traditional material for contemporary audiences, her repertoire includes tales that have rarely been heard in this country.
2020 marks 1,000 years since the UK’s first equality law, which laid the foundation for the progress that led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To celebrate and discuss this significant millennial, the World Storytelling Café is bringing together storytellers, historians, and creators to explore the themes of equality, diversity, and compassion.
Your donations during this event will support youthforhumanrights.
In this episode we are joined by Rebecka Eriksson, a Norwegian artist and seamstress who has worked on commission for history societies, clothes stores, and even cafés. Rebecka will doubtless inspire you to #GetCreative with ordinary household objects, transforming them into beautiful representations of folklore, history, equality and diversity.
Better not tell the Venerable Bede what she’d do if she got her hands on his library, though…
After some medieval storytelling and a discussion with Rebecka, there will be a live Q&A with the audience who join us in the Café Zoom Room by clicking “Join story” at kingdom1000.com
Join Alastair for a set of stories inspired by the Brothers Grimm collection. Some unfamiliar tales nudge alongside variations on well-known stories – such as the 2000 year old version of Cinderella and a Little Red Riding Hood who is not going to wait around to be rescued by a man.
When hungry – maybe hungry for dreams – you can look for a magic lamp or for an incredible tree with all the fruits in the world and you might find them in a journey to the Eastern World, Africa or South America. Or, no matter where you are, in a story you will certainly find some well-seasoned wishes!
It’s nearly Kingdom 1000 Season: Celebrating 1,000 years since Knut issued England’s first equality law. But regal determination to help the masses certainly isn’t confined to England. Wales has some brilliant examples too, including this incredible tale from guest storyteller Cath Little.
Knut is the hero from Amber’s story last week. After you’ve enjoyed Cath’s telling, you and your young learners can compare her story with Amber’s.
You can also visit Epic Tales to see how many new words you’ve picked up without realising it. You may have even learned some Welsh!
Teachers and educators: follow the link above for resources exploring how to draw various learning outcomes from this story, including science and numeracy.
King Edmund returns from battle with the most precious of treasures: a gold apple that promises good luck – but only if you give it away to the person you love the most! So who should he give it to…?
And afterwards, Epic Storyteller Chip will set an Epic Challenge – a fun task that will also hit children’s literacy learning for the week!
Teachers and educators: Visit Epic Tales to hear teachers discussing the many other learning outcomes in this story, including numeracy and science.
Liz Weir is one of the most influential people in the storytelling revival. As well as being a master storyteller, she is a mentor to young talent and hosts regular barn sessions from her home in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
She was the first winner of the International Story Bridge Award from the National Storytelling Network, USA, which cited her “exemplary work promoting the art of storytelling”.
She has told her stories to people of all ages on five continents – from pubs and prisons and hospital rooms to the stages of the mighty Vanderbilt Hall of New York’s Grand Central Station and in London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Joining John this week are Tithi Dani, poet, writer and broadcaster in Hindi and English; singer/songwriter Samia Malik; storyteller Deeptha Vivekanand and Amajit Singh, who will holding a Bangra dance workshop.
A fantastic line-up which promises to be a powerful and fun-filled evening. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
So we’re coming to the end of the first series of Viking Myths. It’s been wonderful fun & many families have enjoyed the journey.
Chatting with the heroes in Valhalla Gylfi has learnt there are some tales that embarrass the Gods, Nervously, at his next meeting with High, Just As High & The Third, he asks…..
And he learns how Freyr, God of Fertility, becomes a fool for love & loses his magic sword that fights by itself & how Thor, desperate for a second encounter with the Giant King who made a fool of him before will do anything for a rematch. But does he really have to wear that dress???!!!!
Lightning, Lies & Unconvincing Drag Acts from Viking Myth. Come & join the fun for the last episode of this family storytelling series.
Hailing from the Wilds of Wicklow but now living in the East of England, Veronica has told stories for over 20 years, although still claims to only be 21. Co-host to Bards Aloud in Ipswich, she loves to enthuse audiences in her interests that include food and drink and let them walk away thirsting for […]
Viking Myth – telling & drawing for family audience with Giles & James
Join us every Saturday at 6pm BST. Giles Abbott tells & James Lythe illustrates live from magical Viking myth. Bring pen, paper then submit your own art to the Gallery at the World Storytelling Cafe!
IN THIS EPISODE
Gylfi gets talking to the heroes who live in Valhalla & learns how a frightened, feeble youth became a dragon slayer! And he sees one hero more mighty than all the rest, Sigurd, & so begins one of the greatest of Norse myths. It start, of course, with Loki doing something he shouldn’t…..
Adventure, magic, enchantment, large scaly monsters – come & join us!
Gilly loves telling stories that invite us to slow down and focus our awareness on the present moment. Join her for an evening of stories that inspire and nourish us and gently call us to a greater awareness, to live life more consciously and to deepen our connection with ourselves and each other.
Gylfi is still puzzled by Loki – so tricky, yes, mischievous, yes, but also so useful. So why do people insist that he is evil? His mysterious informants, High, Just As High & The Third, begin to show the darker side as they tell him of Loki’s evil children.
In this episode, hear the thrilling tale of the binding of the wolf, Fenrir & how one of the gods makes a terrible sacrifice. Hear about the worm whose body encircles the entire world & about a little girl, the two sides of whose face don’t match, who will grow to become a mighty queen. She is Loki’s daughter. Her name is Hel. She is Queen not of the living but of the Dead!
Magical stories with wonderful illustration drawn in front of your eyes! Draw your own & submit to the Gallery at World Storytelling Cafe & be part of the magic of Viking myth!
Giles will tell stories while James illustrates them in the moment, and we invite you to do the same. Bring your art materials and join us in creating story inspired art.
Like many long established storytellers, Paul has built up a rich repertoire of tales from some of the far edges of the world, particularly stories from north west coastal tribal groups such as the kwakitutl, Tlingit’s and Tsimshian along with beautiful Siberian tribal myths and wonderful Russian and European wonder tales. His style is often […]