Coming up!
"Dame Fortune's Wheel and the Three Estates" with Dave Tong
14th Mar 2012, 8 for 8.15pm
The Voicebox, Forman Street, Derby, DE1 1JQ (look out for the Abbey Street car park signs from the new Derby ring road.)
Dave Tong aka "The Yarnsmith of Norwich" is a storyteller from Norfolk who travels throughout the UK and is known for his love of historical based folk and factual tales. His stories are very well researched, and exhibit a very appealing mischievous sense of humour. Combining a warm, open wit and a mastery of crowd control (!) Dave is a very experienced storyteller who is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face even whilst describing some of the worst aspects of human nature.
In this new show, Dave explores the three "classes" of men and women from long ago. Those who worked, those who prayed and those who fought. The performance vividly illustrates the ups and downs of people's lives as they rode upon Fortune's Wheel. Whilst also celebrating the use of the mystical number three, a motif commonly found in many traditional tales. The performance promises a compelling mix of humourous and revealing tales, interwoven with Dave's unique take on the crafty and relevant riddles of the time.
This is a telling that brings the long past into the here and now, and it is a particular delight to welcome Dave to Flying Donkeys. Tickets are £7 adults / £5 concessions, available on the night or book in advance from Sophie on Tel 01332 840007 or email info@flyingdonkeys.co.uk.
www.theyarnsmithofnorwich.com
"Spread the Word!" Open Night
"Hurrah for England and St George!"
Wed, 11th April 2012, 8 for 8.15pm
The Voicebox, Forman Street, Derby, DE1 1JQ (look out for the Abbey Street car park signs from the new Derby ring road.)
Flying Donkeys are pleased to present an Open Night of spoken word and music - tales, poems, prose, monologues and acoustic music of all kinds. Previous evenings have brought us a multitude of fabulous performers! Do come and join us as listener or performer - note if you would like to perform it helps to get in touch beforehand if you can so we can plan the evening.
With St George's Day later this month, we thought we'd encourage contributions with a traditional English theme. St George and his dragon will of course feature!
"Spread the Word!" was recently reviewed by www.behindthearras.com:
"Spoken word events traditionally major on poetry, interspersed with the odd prose piece to provide a bit of a break. “Spread the Word” turns this concept on its head by majoring on storytelling, and using poetry and music as the interludes – and very well it works too... each main performer not only had a distinct style, but also the stories themselves were quite diverse, ensuring a satisfying, stimulating and rewarding evening." Gary Longden, reviewing "Spread the Word!" June 2011.
We even provide scrumptious cake too! To register an interest in performing contact Sophie on Tel 01332 840007 or email info@flyingdonkeys.co.uk or just let us know at the door when you arrive on the night. Tickets are a straight £5 or £3 if you are performing!
"The Battle of the Trees" with Christine Cooper
9th May 2012, 8 for 8.15pm
The Voicebox, Forman Street, Derby, DE1 1JQ (look out for the Abbey Street car park signs from the new Derby ring road.)
Gwydian called the trees by their names, and one by one, they pulled their great roots out of the soil, and began to march... Christine Cooper weaves an intricate web of tales around the poem that inspired Tolkein and Shakespeare, yet has baffled scholars for centuries.
"Absolutely mesmerizing and beautiful, so original." "A spell-binding evening - very inspiring!"
We are particularly excited about this booking. Christine, a mistress of the fiddle, has toured internationally as both storyteller and musician. A new voice on the UK storytelling scene, she will win your hearts with her charismatic stories and quietly beautiful fok music. From dusty old fragments of folklore comes a haunting evening of myth, song and legend.
Tickets are £7 adults / £5 concessions, available on the night or book in advance from Sophie on Tel 01332 840007 or email info@flyingdonkeys.co.uk.
http://christinecooper.info/
"Spread the Word!" Open Night
Wed, 13th June 2012, 8 for 8.15pm
The Voicebox, Forman Street, Derby, DE1 1JQ (look out for the Abbey Street car park signs from the new Derby ring road.)
Flying Donkeys are pleased to present an Open Night of spoken word and music - tales, poems, prose, monologues and acoustic music of all kinds. Previous evenings have brought us a multitude of fabulous performers! Do come and join us as listener or performer - note if you would like to perform it helps to get in touch beforehand if you can so we can plan the evening.
"Spread the Word!" was recently reviewed by www.behindthearras.com:
"Spoken word events traditionally major on poetry, interspersed with the odd prose piece to provide a bit of a break. “Spread the Word” turns this concept on its head by majoring on storytelling, and using poetry and music as the interludes – and very well it works too... each main performer not only had a distinct style, but also the stories themselves were quite diverse, ensuring a satisfying, stimulating and rewarding evening." Gary Longden, reviewing "Spread the Word!" June 2011.
We even provide scrumptious cake too! To register an interest in performing contact Sophie on Tel 01332 840007 or email info@flyingdonkeys.co.uk or just let us know at the door when you arrive on the night. Tickets are a straight £5 or £3 if you are performing!
So far this season (2011/2012), we presented:
"Spread the Word!" Open Night, with special guest Mel Blount.
Wed, 8th Feb 2012, 8 for 8.15pm
The Voicebox, Forman Street, Derby, DE1 1JQ (look out for the Abbey Street car park signs from the new Derby ring road.)
Flying Donkeys were pleased to present an Open Night of spoken word and music - tales, poems, prose, monologues and acoustic music of all kinds. Our special guest for the night was previous Flying Donkey, Mel Blount who performed a wonderfully elegant rendition of Godfather Death to an enrapt audience.
"Spread the Word!" was recently reviewed by www.behindthearras.com:
"Spoken word events traditionally major on poetry, interspersed with the odd prose piece to provide a bit of a break. “Spread the Word” turns this concept on its head by majoring on storytelling, and using poetry and music as the interludes – and very well it works too... each main performer not only had a distinct style, but also the stories themselves were quite diverse, ensuring a satisfying, stimulating and rewarding evening." Gary Longden, reviewing "Spread the Word!" June 2011.
Sarah Rundle's
"Gawain & the Green Knight"
Wed, 11th Jan 2012, 7.30pm
The Voicebox, Forman Street, Derby, DE1 1JQ
Photos by Sophie Baker, and Dean Ayres.
Rumbustuous, vivacious, deliciously irreverent...
Gorgeous Gawain, King Arthur's nephew, rides out in golden armour on his white horse on a suicidal mission. The journey is cold and long and he is constantly ambushed - but the greatest danger comes from his own heart! Love, war and chivalry combine in this classic tale from the court of King Arthur that will have you watching and listening on the edge of your seat!.
Sophie writes: "I met Sarah first about 3 years ago when we both applied for a commission - it was a delight to watch her perform then, she was a generous and energetic performer, and all we have heard of this, her latest show, has been full of praise!" Sarah, when asked how she got into storytelling describes how she got locked in a laboratory but tunnelled her way to freedom. She ran away to drama school and is now an actor and storyteller. Over the last 7 years she has performed in theatres, cafes, museums, yurts and even a Saxon Longhouse!
"Sarah Rundle has made the most enjoyable "Gawain and the Green Knight" I have ever seen. It storms along with an intelligent irreverence, yet is able to be truly magical when wonder is called for. You can sense that this is the result of deeply researched work, every creative choice behind its composition and delivery is considered yet the result is light and deft... It sparkles with a particularly glorious English humour. I've not had this much spirited pleasure from anything "Arthurian" since Footsbarn Theatre's work in the late 1970's" Ben Haggarty.
"Richly historical and sharply modern, Sarah Rundle's "Gawain" is a masterpiece of contemporary storytelling. By turns poignant and witty, deeply moving and uproariously funny." Giles Abbott.
"One of the most raucous and fun-raising accounts of Sir Gawain I've ever heard. Spiced with modernisms it was lively, and full of beer cellar swagger. Uproarious!" Del Reid in the London Storytelling Newsletter.
Daniel Morden's "Sleeping Beauty and Alcestis"
Wed, 14th Dec 2011, 7.30pm
The Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms, Derby, DE1 3AH
What a treat! Daniel Morden and musicians, Oliver Dickson-Wilson (fiddle) and Dylan Fowler (guitar) return to Derby for this new show, which by all accounts is very beautiful. We don't have full details on content yet but understand there are four stories including the classic Sleeping Beauty, told with a new twist, accompanied by music on guitar, violin and flute.
"Daniel at his poetic best!".
Not only this, but here was a Flying Donkeys' first - a joint venture with Derby Live! at the Darwin Suite in the Assembly Rooms, Derby city centre, and Adverse Camber (who previously brought Flying Donkeys such wonderful shows as the The Middle Yard).
"Spread the Word!" Open Night, with special guest Stephe Harrop!
Wed, 9th Nov 2011, 7.30pm
The Voicebox, Forman Street, Derby, DE1 1JQ (look out for the Abbey Street car park signs from the new Derby ring road.)
Flying Donkeys were pleased to present an Open Night of spoken word and music - tales, poems, prose, monologues and acoustic music of all kinds.
As part of a new initiative of introducing new performers, this evening featured a special guest spot from London storyteller Stephe Harrop. Stephe is a sensitive and stylish performer whose tales evoke the vanished worlds of the past and fantastical worlds of the imagination. Her stories weave together history, legend and fantasy with the traditional songs and ballads of the British Isles.
For tonight's event Stephe performed an excerpt from her show "Powder & Plot" - an intricate and compelling set of stories for Guy Fawkes Night, unearthing from the streets of Jacobean London, the battlefields of Europe and the deceptive peace of the English countryside, the tragic tangle of politics, religion, loyalty and love that shaped this most famous of plots.
"Zulu!"
Wed Oct 12th, 2011, 7.30pm
Quarndon Church Hall, Quarndon, Derbys., DE22 5JA.
A delightful departure to kick off the new Flying Donkeys' season! Zulu featured at the Festival at the Edge this year and went down a storm we hear - and we had already booked them!
‘Zulu’ is a theatre company, a band, a dance troupe, a group of storytellers and school of educators all rolled into one. Direct from Durban, South Africa, the individual members of ‘Zulu’ have previously performed in the UK as part of 'The Mighty Zulu Nation' and on the West End in 'The Lion King'. They have performed around the world for royalty and senior government alike, including the Queen, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. They have also performed at the Commonwealth Games and the Highland Games - so a nice link with John's new Olympics role too! (see Blog).
This event was jointly presented alongside Quarndon Live & Local and Live & Local Ltd. See www.liveandlocal.org.uk and www.quarndonliveandlocal.co.uk.
Last season (2010/2011), we presented:
All Halloween's Eve
Wed Oct 13th, 2010, 7.30pm
The VoiceBox, Forman St, Derby, DE1 1JQ.
An evening of tales from the Flying Donkeys resident tellers, Annie, John, Ray, Damien and Sophie. A celebration of All Hallow's Eve, we bring you thrilling tales of strange creatures, mysterious hauntings and gothic horrors.
We are to be joined by three special guests: storyteller, Kat Quatermass (see www.dreamfired.co.uk) and Song and Story duo, John Bartley and Dorothy Fryman (look in Facebook under "Monologue John Bartley" or "Song and Story").
Refreshments will include mulled wine and pumpkin pie.
Tickets £6 adults / £4 (normal concessions). Buy on the door, or book ahead from Annie on Tel 0781 541 9283, or email: info@flyingdonkeys.co.uk.
The Singing Bones - Daniel Morden & The Devil's Violin Company
Thurs Oct 21st, 2010, 7.30 for 8pm
Quarndon Church Hall, Church Road, Quarndon, Derbyshire, DE22 5JA.
a burning tree
a mysterious bird
a sackful of secrets… a timeless tale of secrets and lies, love and hate... accompanied by haunting melodies.
The Devil’s Violin Company consists of headline storyteller Daniel Morden and a team of wonderfully talented musicians that play violin, accordion and cello. Daniel has a lively interactive style and loves a dark story, beautifully told. This show promises a delightful combination of gripping, suspenseful story, live music and theatre.
The Devil's Violin Company have sold out venues across the UK with their unique blend of storytelling, live music and theatre, so please book ahead if you can.
A bar will be available at this event.
Tickets are £8.50 (adults) and £6 (older children & students). Reservations from Sophie or Rob on Tel 01332 840007, or email: robandsophie@hotmail.com, or buy on the door.
Quarndon Church Hall is in the centre of the village of Quarndon on Church Road, beside the church. Quarndon is just off the A6 Derby to Belper road, just on the left before you get to Duffield (going north out of Derby) - drive up the hill till it levels off and it is on your left by the church and school. Plenty of parking out the back of the hall or on the streets. Full disabled access - but do contact us for any help / advice.
Story circle
Wed, 27th Oct 2010, 7.30pm
At the Brunswick pub, 1, Railway Terrace, Derby, DE1 2RU (near the station).
An informal opportunity to share stories either as listener or teller yourself. A great place to maybe have a go yourself at telling a story in front of a small, sympathetic gathering. We meet in the room to the right as you go into the pub.
Entry to the story circle is Free.
Simon Heywood - "Gunpowder, Treason and Plot"
Wed Nov 10th, 2010, 7.30pm
The VoiceBox, Forman St, Derby, DE1 1JQ.
Simon (an ex Flying Donkey himself!) is a teacher, musician and storyteller, known in particular for his shows "The Twisting Fields", "Middle Yard" and "Darkest England". Tonight he brings a new collection of tales about high treason and devious plotting especially for Flying Donkeys! Fast, furious and fabulously eloquent, Simon's storytelling promises an excellent evening.
Refreshments will be available.
Tickets £6 adults / £4 (normal concessions). Buy on the door, or book ahead from Annie on Tel 0781 541 9283, or email: info@flyingdonkeys.co.uk.
Story circle
Wed, 24th Nov 2010, 7.30pm
At the Brunswick pub, 1, Railway Terrace, Derby, DE1 2RU (near the station).
An informal opportunity to share stories either as listener or teller yourself. A great place to maybe have a go yourself at telling a story in front of a small, sympathetic gathering. We meet in the room to the right as you go into the pub.
Entry to the story circle is Free.
Christmas Crackers & Yule Tide Tales
Wed Dec 8th, 2010, 7.30pm
The VoiceBox, Forman St, Derby, DE1 1JQ .
Join us for an evening of tales from the Flying Donkeys resident tellers, Annie, John, Ray, Damien and Sophie.
We also welcome a special guest - Kevin Walker. Kevin is a professional storyteller based in the Market Harborough area (where he runs a storytelling club of his own - the wonderful "Yard of Tales" at Joule's Yard in Market Harborough).
Kevin has lovely, warm manner of telling and is promising some traditional seasonal tales to go with the mulled wine and Christmas cakes - watch out for that twinkle in his eye!
A celebration of all things Christmassy! Refreshments will include mulled wine and Christmas treats.
Tickets £6 adults / £4 (normal concessions). Buy on the door, or book ahead from Annie on Tel 0781 541 9283 or email: info@flyingdonkeys.co.uk.
Please note there will be no story circle in December 2010.
www.kevinwalker-storyteller.com
Graham Langley - "He's All Talk!"
Wed Jan 12th, 2011, 7.30pm
The VoiceBox, Forman St, Derby, DE1 1JQ .
Join us for an evening of tales with Birmingham storyteller, the wonderfully urbane, Graham Langley. Graham has promised us "to exude passion" with a mixture of tales from romantic and stirring to exciting and jovial, enveloping the audience in an atmosphere of exhilaration! "I love stories and enjoy taking the audience on an emotional journey!" He is joined by Pam Bishop, who enriches the tales with her unique blend of music.
Described by The Times as a "storyteller for the 21st century", Graham (an ex flying donkey himself) has captivated audiences worldwide with his energy and enthusiastic performances. He started telling stories in his 20's in folk clubs and it was here that his love of traditional stories began. He is the founder of the Storytelling Cafe, a ground-breaking network of venues in the Midlands. We understand he already has an exciting international calendar for 2011, so we are delighted he has found time so generously to come back to Flying Donkeys and delight us with his stories. A powerhouse of storytelling, with his own inimitable style - not to be missed!
Tickets £6 adults / £4 (normal concessions). Buy on the door, or book ahead from Annie on Tel 0781 541 9283, or email: info@flyingdonkeys.co.uk.
www.storytelling.uk.net
Story circle
Wed, 26th Jan 2011, 7.30pm
At the Brunswick pub, 1, Railway Terrace, Derby, DE1 2RU (near the station).
An informal opportunity to share stories either as listener or teller yourself. A great place to maybe have a go yourself at telling a story in front of a small, sympathetic gathering. We meet in the room to the right as you go into the pub.
Entry to the story circle is Free.
Mike O' Connor presents "Imravoe"
Wed Feb 9th, 2011, 7.30pm
The VoiceBox, Forman St, Derby, DE1 1JQ.
Imravoe is a ‘lost’ saga - one of the greatest of all selkie legends.
The Victorian folklore collector, Walter Traill Dennison noticed links between many seal tales he found in his native Orkney. Gradually he realised that together they comprised a legend of epic proportions. Rediscovered by Mike (with kind support from the much missed Duncan Williamson), Mike has reclaimed the tale for the world of storytelling to create a seal-epic, or "Orknsaga". The result is a tour de force: powerful, atmospheric and lyrical. Imravoe has wonderful words and music, and the final moments will touch every listener.
Mike O’Connor found his way into story telling through his love of the traditional music of Scotland, where he lived for eleven years. Well-known as a sensitive traditional fiddle player, he found the music of mainland Scotland was often associated with stories. The lyrical airs of the Western Isles were often linked to fascinating tales of selkies and shape shifting. When the introductions became longer than the tunes themselves, the storyteller was born. Since then Mike has been consciously seeking and finding the story in the music and the music in the stories. His very wide knowledge of folklore and his atmospheric vocal skills give a power and weight to his telling that is second to none.
Tickets £6 adults / £4 (normal concessions). Buy on the door, or book ahead from Annie on Tel 0781 541 9283, or email: info@flyingdonkeys.co.uk.
Beowulf, with Hugh Lupton & Rick Wilson
Fri, Mar 11th, 2011, 7.30 for 8pm
Quarndon Church Hall, Church Road, Quarndon, Derby DE22 5JA .
A special event in conjunction with Live & Local and not to be missed! Hugh Lupton and percussionist Rick Wilson present "Beowulf".
Beowulf is possibly the oldest story in the English language and it still has the power to raise the hairs on the back of the neck! The tale of a hero's life mapped out by three tremendous, blood-curdling encounters - the monster Grendel, his even more terrifying mother (who can forget Angelina Jolie in the film role!) - the original creatures from the Black Lagoon... and the gold-guarding dragon, Fire-Drake. With these adrenalin-charged encounters, the story explores the journey we all make from the seeming invincibility of youth to the heroic vulnerability of old age.
This is a tale that has had a tremendous impact on writers and poets throughout the centuries. Here it is told by master performance storyteller, Hugh Lupton, who joins forces with one of Britain's leading percussionists, Rick Wilson. With bells, gongs and a myriad of drums, Rick subtly and dramatically underpins the rich language of this story, making the whole experience a vivid spectacular.
This performance is aimed at adults, but suitable for older children over the age of 10.
"... Lupton summoned the poem back to a bloody and ferocious life... from the very first moment, he began to speak, he was utterly convincing. A careful and measured performance with a vigorous language that was at times playful and at times like repeated blows of a hammer. There can have been few more rewarding ways of spending yesterday evening in the West Midlands - or perhaps the whole country - than in Lupton's company." Birmingham Words, reviewing Beowulf, Jan 2005.
www.liveandlocal.org.uk and www.quarndonliveandlocal.co.uk
"Spread the Word!" Open Night
Wed Apr 13th, 2011, 7.30pm
The VoiceBox, Forman St, Derby, DE1 1JQ.
Flying Donkeys were pleased to present an Open Night. 17 different performers from the floor brought us stories, poems, monologues, prose and music. This proved a hugely successful evening with stunning music, and a eclectic, fascinating range of spoken word - storytellers from around the East Midlands gathering amidst local poets and writers to share their work, topped off by the most beautiful fiddle playing. We are looking forward to repeating this winning formula in June!
The Devil, the Maiden and the Crow, with Katrice Horsley
Wed, May 11th, 2011, 7.30pm
The VoiceBox, Forman St, Derby, DE1 1JQ.
Storyteller Katrice Horsley took us on a journey into a land of shadows, death and resurrection and deftly wove a traditional Hungarian tale into a mythic encounter and dilemma. We met Pretty Maid Ibronka, Old Crow Crone and the Handsome Devil who represent the themes of death, duty and deisre .... which one won?
Katrice used story, poetic verse and incantatory language to take us through folk and mythic depths, for an entrancing night of full-blooded wonder.
More information from: www.katalysttales.co.uk
Spread the Word! Open Night
Wed Jun 8th, 2011, 7.30pm
The VoiceBox, Forman St, Derby, DE1 1JQ.
Flying Donkeys presented an Open Night with performers from the floor bringing us stories, poems, music and song. Contributors included storytellers Dave Tonge and Jim Kavanagh all the way from Norwich, Ana Lines from Brazil (via Staffordshire!), Emma Carlton (Nottingham), Brian Franks, Dave Brookes (of Nottingham's Woolly Tellers), John Fearon and Sophie Snell (both of Flying Donkeys); poets Andy Biddulph, Gary Longden and Steven Vaughan Williams and musician Dennis Sleigh. And a fine riddle and joke were told by nascent flying donkey junior making his spoken word debut - Ben Snell!
The evening has featured in a review website : wwwbehindthearras.com - with some very kind words from spoken word nights reviewer, Gary Longden - check out the link and scroll down the page to see (in date order, so look for 9/6/11).
Story circle
Wed, 22nd Jun 2011, 7.30pm
At the Brunswick pub, 1, Railway Terrace, Derby, DE1 2RU (near the station).
This month's story circle was hosted by special guest, Stephen Vaughan Williams. Stephen is a poet / performer / musician with a love of stories and who charmed us all with his singing at our latest "Spread the Word" (June 2011). For more info, see his website: www.sv-williams.co.uk
It started with a Dream, with Kevin Walker
Wed July 13th, 2011, 7.30pm
The Multi-Faith Centre, Derby University, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB.
We joined Kevin on a journey…. a journey that charts the rise and spread of Buddhism across the world…. but also, a personal journey, of his love of Buddhist culture and values. From a white elephant, a disfigured statue, and a monkey king, to a secret door and a mysterious tomb, “It Started with a Dream” will delight, entertain and move you. A collection of tales taken from the Buddhist tradition, intricately woven around the life of the Buddha. Come on a cultural and spiritual pathway that will raise your spirits and challenge your thoughts.
Kevin has a wonderful, warm and gentle style of telling and for this evening will be sharing some of his favourite budhist stories, combined with a little gentle meditation and a flavour of the ethos and spirit of the budhist tradition.
For this very special event, we were invited to the the Multi-Faith Centre at Derby University - a strikingly beautiful, modern architectural building on the Kedleston Road univeristy campus (parking on site).
"Thanks for a great night of storytelling last night Kevin at the Cambridge Storytellers. Until last night Buddhism seemed something far, far away, but you brought it a bit closer and gave it a very human face!”
“It was obvious from its first outing that this set of stories from Kevin was going to be very special. Told from the heart and also very entertaining”
www.kevinwalker-storyteller.com
