“What I love about storytelling is its simplicity. Stories meet us half way and we, the audience, have to be complicit for them to be successful. The stories I like to tell are fun, inviting and light hearted – even the serious ones! I believe that storytelling has a unique ability to connect people, not only to each other but to the past, the future and to the world around us.” – Ian Douglas.
Ian has been telling stories at festivals, schools, libraries and on street corners both nationally and internationally for over 20 years. Originally a street theatre performer, fire breather and stilt walker, Ian has founded two story-based theatre companies. He has also worked as a theatre practitioner in residence for organisations across the North of England including Northern Stage and Live Theatre in Newcastle and most recently, Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.
The origins of Ian’s work are steeped in the traditions of street theatre which has helped him develop his unique storytelling style. His work has been described as ‘truly inspirational’ and draws upon a rich vein of British folk tales and world myths.
During his career, Ian has had the privilege to sit at the knee of renowned storytellers such as Duncan Williamson and at present is apprenticed to the Grasmere-based storyteller Taffy Thomas.
Ian hails from West Yorkshire but now lives with the love of his life on a narrow boat wherever the neighbours are nice.
Live Stories with Ian Douglas & Gary Bridgens live at the Cafe
If you are enjoying this story, feel free to make a donation, everything you pop into the hat below goes directly to Ian :
Ian Douglas
If you would like to support this teller, please make a donation
Performance on 21 April at 18.00 Ian Douglas LIVE from the CAFE
If you are enjoying this story, feel free to make a donation, everything you pop into the hat below goes directly to Ian:
Ian Douglas
If you would like to support this teller, please make a donation
Ian Douglas
If you would like to support this teller, please make a donation
If you have enjoyed Ian’s work, and can afford do so, please drop some appreciation into the hat below.
Ian Douglas
If you would like to support this teller, please make a donation
Our Festival Performers
"Now that the world is standing still, people are asking for stories" Achira.
Justine de Mierre
A passionate, energetic and inventive storyteller who delights in connecting playfully
Gerry Donlon
aka Bards Aloud. Stories comic, and stories quirky
Trevor Millum
a writer of… poetry for children and adults, short stories, a novel, books of local interest, education resources.
Deeptha Vivenkanand
India based storyteller who loves to tell stories about stories, strong women, and political satire.
Fabio Lisboa
Storytelling Trainer who has performed/taught in Brazil, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
Bob Kanegis
A fortunate day spent on the trail with a park ranger who combined, poetry, puppets and folktales showed Bob the possibilities of the Storyteller's Way.
Irene Lofthouse
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.
Maria Papanikolaou
The last 10 years I combine storytelling with educational programs for children, in Museums, Cultural Centers, Schools, Art places, etc. I love working with children. I have also published two books, a Greek Myth and a tale of my own.
Raine Geoghegan
Raine Geoghegan, MA, poet and prose writer of Romany, Irish and Welsh descent will share tales of the English Gypsies, Romanichals through poetry, monologue and song.
Antonio Rocha
Antonio has received several awards and grants, including the once in a lifetime Circle of Excellence Award. This award was presented to him in 2015 by the National Storytelling Network for his exceptional commitment and exemplary contributions to the art of storytelling.
Dawn Ellis
Dawn’s parents calmed her down with Grimm stories at bedtime and they stayed with her. She has been performing, one way and another, ever since.
Jan Williams
Her most popular books are An amazing storytelling cat and Essex folk stories for children.
Csenge Virág Zalka
She published several folktale collections, including Tales of Superhuman Powers: 55 traditional stories from around the world (McFarland, 2013), and Dancing on Blades: Rare and exquisite folktales from the Carpathian Mountains (Parkhurst Brothers, 2018)
Zouhair Khaznaoui
Zouhair has been sharing the magic of Hikayat since 2017 in the Clock Storytelling programme.
Theresa Kelleher
Theresa was born within the sound of Bow Bells to Irish parents. Out on the streets she was known as the ‘little Irish girl’, at home admonished for her cockney accent.
David Heathfield
He runs Creative and Engaging Storytelling for Teachers courses onlinehttps://davidheathfieldblog.wordpress.com/teacher-training/ and has worked online as a storyteller and storytelling teacher trainer internationally with the British Council, IATEFL and the Hands Up Project .