Village Storytelling Centre VSF16: That’s Not Storytelling – An Ancient Tradition in a Modern World

Michael Williams chairs this final session, which is sure to generate robust debate. In modern society, what counts as storytelling and how can this ancient tradition continue to be engaging and relevant to contemporary audiences? We will hear from Tamar Williams (former young storyteller of the year) on Staging the Story: Exploring Traditional Storytelling on the Contemporary Stage. Daniel Serridge, one of the Village Storytellers, will discuss storytelling through different art forms and invite us to consider whether That’s Not Storytelling. David Campbell, internationally renowned ambassador of Scottish and Celtic stories, will remind us that the oral bardic tradition remains highly relevant in his presentation Stories Now More Than Ever: The Enduring Art. We will also hear from Cat Gerrard (of Tailspin) and Naomi Wilds (of Adverse Camber) who will share their insights into Producing Contemporary Stories, as they discuss setting up their respective storytelling companies: Tailspin, which supports performers by providing warm, open performance spaces for them to experiment, play and push their craft; and Adverse Camber which specialises in transforming traditional epic tales into modern immersive performances. There will be plenty of time to have your say during our panel discussion!

We're delighted that so many of our speakers for this event are also performing at the festival.

Naomi Wilds' Adverse Camber are bringing two shows to the festival: The Old Woman, the Buffalo and the Lion of Manding with Jan Blake is showing on Tuesday 22 March at 7.30pm book here; and The Shahnameh with Xanthe Gresham-Knight is showing on Wednesday 23 March at 8pm book here. Cat Gerrard is bringing us a new collaboration with Tim Ralphs, The Four Chambers of the Heart on Thursday 24 March at 7pm book here. David Campbell will be sharing stories at our final evening's storytelling ceilidh (Saturday 26 March at 7.00pm) Sangs an' Clatter, which also features our festival commission A Circumnavigation by Ian Stephen book here.

10am – 10.10am: Michael Williams (Storyteller, coach, facilitator) – Welcome and Introduction
10.10am – 10.40am: Tamar Williams (Storyteller) – Staging the Story: Exploring Traditional Storytelling on the Contemporary Stage
10.40am – 11.10am: Daniel Serridge (The Village Storytelling Centre) – That’s not storytelling!
11.10am – 11.40am: David Campbell (Storyteller) – Stories Now More Than Ever: The Enduring Art
11.40am – 11.55am: Break
11.55am – 12.25pm: Naomi Wilds (Founder and Producer of Adverse Camber) and Cat Gerrard (Storyteller, Founder and Director of Tailspin) – Producing Contemporary Stories
12.25pm – 1pm: Panel discussion, Chaired by Michael Williams, and featuring Tamar Williams, Tim Ralphs, Cat Gerrard, Naomi Wilds, David Campbell, and Daniel Serridge