Tags
Bard, Bardic, Bardic Magic, fairies, fairy magic, folklore, Folktales, Midsummer Night's Dream, Pagan, Shakespeare, Storytelling, Storytelling in Ceredigion, Storytelling in Wales, Strangeness of Life, Tempest
Last Friday Milly Jackdaw and I brought our spoken word show, Thereby Hangs a Tale to Aberystwyth. We debuted this last year at the Willow Globe Theatre (during a storm!) and it is an epic piece including eight stories, extracts from Shakespeare, storytelling, acting, music, spoken word pieces, and a donkey hat.
Next we’ll be taking it to the woods… on Saturday 25th May 2024, THaT’ll be in Longwood, near Lampeter. (Spaces limited so do book your seat!)
Here’s the official description.
Thereby Hangs a Tale
Finding the Folktale Roots of Bardic Inspiration with Milly Jackdaw & Halo Quin.
Over the eons Shakespeare’s tales have retained their relevance, capitalising on our fascination with watching our own stories amplified that we may better understand ourselves. Could it be that Shakespeare found inspiration from some of the earliest explorations of key themes in already existing stories? Could myths and folktales have played their part? Storytellers Milly Jackdaw and Halo Quin have been uncovering tales, including some from Welsh myth, that hold tantalising hints that this may indeed be the case.
In the tradition of the great bards of old, we call Shakespeare into conversation with the folktales that shine through his work, baring the bones of stories that take us to the heart of inspiration. We unpick colourful threads from plays and tales, reweaving them in the place where traditional storytelling meets theatre.
If folktales be the food of the Bard, tell on.
There’s something really fascinating about folk stories and spirits, the way they crop up in literature, theatre, poetry, movies, and other media. As someone who loves the old tales, the spirits and divine beings in myths, legends, and wonder tales, I adore seeing how they evolve and grow with our human culture. The oral tradition continues living through the literary pages. Old Nordic Skalds’ tales live on in Marvel’s comics, King Arthur appears in folklore, French romances, and animated movies, the Faery King takes new form as Oberon in Shakespeare, and still continues his adventures to today.
Thereby Hangs a Tale is a show that explores some of these shifts, hinting at the magical traditions and oral history – and literary evolution – of some of the pieces that Shakespeare wove so deftly into his plays. I, of course, was most excited about A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest.
Spirits and magic, fairies and love. What could be better?
Next year we might include different plays and tales, so I’d love to hear in the comments – what is your favourite Shakespeare play and why? What story does it remind you of?
Praise for Thereby Hangs a Tale
An amazing blend bringing together humanity & cultures.
Truly Wonderful, Thank you!
Brilliant! Come back please!
Lovely evening – your description of the landscape, scenery, setting, & people are so evocative. Thank you x
It was utterly fantastic… Well done!
Very enjoyable – I was hanging on each word!
Upcoming Events… Check below for the next THaT & other show dates!
“The Faery Doctor” – Drop in Storytelling for TradFest at the Scottish Storytelling Centre – Edinburgh – 8th May
Deities of Love 3: The Wild God – A Crimson Craft Class – Online at TEA – 14th May (Join TEA here)
Third Times a Charm: Storytelling as Enchantment – Guest Talk Online for BROCK – 22nd May
“Thereby Hangs a Tale” – Storytelling Show at Longwood Visitor Centre – Lampeter – 25th May (Get your THaT ticket here!)
Enchanted Circle at TEA – Intuitive Tarot – Online Circle – 27th May (Join TEA here)
Faery Magic and The Faery Doctor – Workshop & storytelling at Wylde Spirit Fae Camp – nr Salisbury – 31st May-2nd June
From the Cryptozoologist’s Library – Songs at The Festival of the Living Rooms – Online Festival – 14th-16th June
Deities of Love 4: The Bright Spirit – A Crimson Craft Class – Online – 18th June (Join TEA here)
Halo Quin 