Society for Storytelling

Storyteller Directory: Dave Tonge, The Yarnsmith

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Name: Dave Tonge, The Yarnsmith

Location: Norwich

County: South East

Telephone: 07908515766

Email: theyarnsmith@yahoo.co.uk

Website: http://theyarnsmithofnorwich.com

Dave has been telling tales now for nine years, both as one half of Past -Imagined and now as the Yarnsmith of Norwich. He travels all over the UK telling stories at Museums, Heritage sites, Fairs, Festivals and in Schools and is always happy to travel anywhere, however far.

Dave specialises in tales from English history although he will be the first to tell you that we storytellers grow new corn from old fields and that many of the tales we English claim for our own were brought over by sailors, soldiers and who knows who else and all long, long ago! That said Dave adopts different historical costume for the different times in which his tales are set and tries to give them a distinctly english flavor. His other interest is history which he studied to MA level and he often adapts his tales to include historical events and people. And not just Kings and Queens, but the underbelly; the every day people much like himself! A typical session with Dave the Yarnsmith includes tales of a baby thief, fat greedy friars, scolding women and wise fools, although as you will see from his website he also offers themed performances. These include adaptations from Chaucer, Devilish tales and stories from the Luttrell Psalter

Dave also works for both the National Trust and English Heritage, telling at events and as part of EH Discovery Visits for schools. His schools program is designed with history in mind and his stories range from Saxon and Viking myths and legends to tales about the medieval church and court to Tudor rich and poor. To see how they fit in with the curriculum simply go to Dave’s schools page on his website.

Dave’s stories can be adapted to suit any site or situation and can be site specific. He also includes some music played upon the recorder and drum and often includes a good smattering of riddles and other puzzles. Dave’s is interactive storytelling for old and young, rich and poor. All are welcome in his storytelling tent!

• Has special needs experience
• Performs indoors
• Performs outdoors
• Performs to adults
• Performs to audiences over 100 in number
• Performs to primary age children
• Performs to secondary age children
• Performs to senior citizens
• Runs workshops for adults
• Runs workshops for children
• Travels anywhere in the U.K.