Society for Storytelling

Storyteller Directory: Tanya Bentham

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Name: Tanya Bentham

Location: North East

County: North East

Telephone: 01642-290941

Email: zafania2000@yahoo.co.uk

Website: http://www.threadsoftime.org.uk/page5.htm

We all love stories.

Because the Romans couldn’t watch TV…
Because the Vikings surfed the waves rather than the internet…
Because the Tudors didn’t nip down the pictures to see the latest installation of Harry Potter…

Because of these things, the art of the storyteller has always been with us. To our ancestors it was more than entertainment; a good story was the local paper, the favourite soap opera, and the latest Hollywood blockbuster all rolled into one. In the digital age storytelling takes many different forms, but there is still great joy in the basic thrill of hearing a story told well.

I can help you bring that excitement to your public, young and old alike, whether for an event, a festival, or for national children’s book week. You can fit a whole world of adventure in between “Once upon a time” and “Happily ever after…”

Stories are all performed with humour and silly voices- and are accessible for all ages. Tales are taken from all periods of history and can be tailored to specific requirements, either by period or theme – such as Halloween, Christmas, food or nature – and I am happy to learn specific tales for each venue: a local folk tale, perhaps, or one based upon an historic event.

With over 20 years of experience performing stories and history to local schools, museums and libraries, backed up by additional courses at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), I ensure that my performances always reach the highest standards.

I specialise in modern interpretations of classic tales. Favourites include:

Beowulf and Grendel – a cracking modern version of the oldest English tale, which is both funny and scary at the same time.

Philemon and Baucis – a Roman tale of gods and mortals, laced with both humour and pathos.

Athene and Arachne – the perfect complement to a textiles display.

Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough and William Cloudesly – a classic English outlaw tale.

Ariadne and the Minotaur – my own twist on the tale of Theseus.

Fitzwarren and the dragon – A tale of one of Robin Hood’s forgotten rivals.

Sigurd and the dragon – a Rip-roaring saga of cunning and betrayal, with dragons!

In addition, I have a selection of Christmas tales, including:

- The Grumpy Snowman: Great for schools, in which the class teacher becomes the heroine…

- The tale of How The Spiders Invented Tinsel- a good story for audience participation, following me with hand movements as the spiders “Insy Winsy” up the chimney to rescue Santa….

For Halloween, two traditional folk tales I have recently told are

- King Henry and the Ogre, Shrek for the medieval period, complete with jokes about belching!

-The Cauld Lad of Hylton Castle, A well-loved Wearside ghost story.

In conjunction with storytelling, I offer textiles displays for events, to really spin a yarn! Using embroideries and textile panels as “comic strips” can really bring a story to life!
For more information on storytelling-and-textiles displays, see my website
threadsoftime.org.uk/page2.htm

Presentation costs are £125-£175, depending on location, event and requirements.

Introductory discounts are available- please contact me for further details.

• Has special needs experience
• Performs indoors
• Performs outdoors
• Performs to adults
• Performs to audiences over 100 in number
• Performs to audiences up to 100 in number
• Performs to audiences up to 40 in number
• Performs to pre-school age children
• Performs to primary age children
• Performs to secondary age children
• Performs to senior citizens
• Travels anywhere in the U.K.
• Works in other art forms