Shows
Below are some examples of the in person storytelling shows and talks that I have performed along the South Coast. I have created shows for an adult audience as well as for families and young children. Below are some examples of my work but the list is by no means exhaustive and I am happy to create a performance that suits your theme. Storytelling sessions can be 20 minutes to two hours. Whether it's a telling at a wedding for a select few or a public event for an audience 100+ to book me for your event, please get in touch using the contact page above.
Downland Tales - Folklore & Stories Of The South Downs
There is lore beneath our feet, in the woods and flowing through the rivers: stories of the South Downs.
With a hundred miles of National Park, rare habitats and endangered species, our relationship with the rolling downs is one of stories. Stories of the farmers, stories of the barrows, stories of the wildlife and stories of the smugglers.
Contact me to find out how I can create a show to interpret the unique nature, landscape and heritage of this special place.
Wassailing & The Folk Calendar
There's a folk tale for every event. Hear of the 'Apple Tree Man' as I lead your wassail as 'The Lady Of The Wassail'. Learn of Brigid and her connection to the seasons and wolves. Find out how the Saxons celebrated Easter with hares and egg hunts and discover the dark tales of that liminal space we know these days as Halloween.
Contact me to find out how I can bring your community, corporate or private event to life with an themed tale or two and costume to bring that extra something special to your event.
Testimonial
''Great seeing you again yesterday and the story telling was excellent, '
Nigel Seal - regular audience member
Testimonial
'Your storytelling skills are on another level! Amazing. Seeing how enthralled the children were with your
words was pure magic'.
Lisa Hall - audience member
Historical Tales
The tales I tell have been passed down through the generations, thanks to the oral tradition, for thousands of years.
I have sets of stories that are appropriate for Iron Age, Saxon, Viking, Medieval, 17th Century and Victorian historical interpretation settings.
I regularly tell at The Weald & Downland Museum in Sussex, Butser Ancient Farm in Hampshire and for museums within Hampshire Cultural Trust.
Whether it's tales from a Victorian Postmistress, gruesome tales of rats and poo from the 17th century, or stories of hare herders and cauldrons from the Iron Age, I have a tale to suit as well as era authentic historical clothing.
Dark Fairytales:
From Straparola to the Grimm Brothers, this storytelling evening for adults takes a look at the people recording the tales of the oral storytelling tradition.
Flayed women, singing birds, cannibals, voices from the grave and vengeful serpents will all make an appearance as you settle in for an evening of Dark Fairytales.
Testimonial
'People were spellbound listening to your tales and the delightful way you told them. You have a great talent to stand there in front of an audience with no script and keep everyone’s attention as the story unfolds. You made it a great evening.'
Martyn Kille, Chair of Hambledon Arts Society
Testimonial
'I'm so glad we caught the tale of Idun, you told it fantastically! What a magical evening!',
Hannah Fletcher, Audience Member
Goddesses and Creatrix
Join me around the fire as I tell stories of the Greek goddesses, Norse deities, the Celtic Cailleach - old woman of Winter - and of the Otherworld, goddesses, fae and sorceresses of the Mabinogion, an ancient Welsh text.
I'll take you on a journey with the maiden, the mother and the crone, explore these archetypes, and the complex characters of divine women.
Boat Burnings & Beltanes:
As a member of Herigeas Hundas Saxon re-enactment group you will find me telling Iron Age tales, Norse legends, ancient fairytales and English ballads at our spring and summer events.
You will also find me telling at Butser Ancient Farm's Beltane and Boat Burning events in April/May and September respectively.
Wintertide
Among the stories I tell during the winter there are tales of troublesome trolls, sleeping dragons, winter woodlands and household elves. Contact me for more information
Testimonial
'Magical Storytelling In An Iron Age Roundhouse'
Mandy Haggar, Audience Member.
TESTIMONIALS
'I'm so glad we caught the tale of Idun, you told it fantastically! What a magical evening!', Hannah Fletcher
'Great seeing you again yesterday and the story telling was excellent, ' Nigel Seal
'Thank you so much for your great storytelling last night. ' Belinda & David
'Spent an amazing day on a storytelling course learning about stories, nature and place, with DD Storyteller. I learnt so much and heard some wonderful tales. Definitely recommend her course and events.' Holly Medland
'A fabulous day at Butser Ancient Farm learning oral storytelling techniques by connecting with nature and place... with the awesome DD Storyteller' Richard Davies
'I spent yesterday in an incredible setting Butser Ancient Farm enjoying DD Storyteller's 'Rewild Yourself Through Story' workshop. The day was well organised and Dawn, herself, was lovely; so friendly and a natural teacher. The group was small enough for everyone to be heard if we chose to read out our work, in answer to exercises Dawn gave us. She kept us engaged, throughout; she told us a few tales to highlight points she had made; and she was also generous in answering my (possibly too!) many questions.
I will now keep a look-out for her future events and I highly recommend her to others.' Fiona Lane
'I signed up to the story telling workshop with a mix of excitement and nerves. Dawn was great at making us all feel welcome and comfortable. It soon became clear there was no wrong answers, daft questions or prescribed way of storytelling. What we found was a font of knowledge, a space to explore and freedom to share. I came away inspired and feeling like I had made new friends. In fact I joined the Storytelling Club which takes place in the same amazing setting.' - Heather Chalkley