Storytelling Festival: packed programme for all

The 5 – 11 November is all about storytelling, as Hastings Storytelling Festival returns with a packed programme of storytelling across town for children, families and adults. Naomi Robinson writes.

Highlights include the free Children’s Storytelling Carnival Day, which includes live storytelling and performances from puppet shows to hula hoops to parades. There’s even a life-size snow globe with a real Ice Princess inside.

‘Otherworld’ by Magik Door transforms Alexandra Park into an interactive storytelling experience using images, immersive 3D audio, augmented reality and performance.

There’s talk by local psychogeographer, Gareth Rees, about the hidden lives of supermarket car parks; an LGBTQ storytelling evening from ‘Mother’s Ruin’ at St Leonards Bar; Cactus Hound and local stories with ‘Everything stops for tea’ by Secret Platform Theatre.

There’s a moving account of a first world war survivor in ‘A November Day’ by Thingumajig Theatre at Hastings Museum; a talk from Gruffalo illustrator, Axel Sheffler; a children’s puppet show about magic with songs by Tom Gray of Gomez and a ‘Midnight Run’, a night-time, adventure-filled stroll through the streets of Hastings.

Inua Ellams’ Hastings ‘Midnight Run’ with Kit Caless

Devised by artist, Inua Ellams, the Midnight Run has taken place in many towns, including Paris, Madrid, Berlin, London and as part of the Hastings Storytelling Festival 2016.

The Midnight Run is a walking, arts-filled, night-time cultural journey through urban spaces. It gathers strangers and local artists together to explore, play and create, whilst the city sleeps. The MNR aims to break down social barriers and provide a platform for established and emerging creatives, bringing moments of genuine interactive creativity.

Back for its second year, the Hastings Midnight Run will celebrate the town and it’s hidden, waterside spaces. Beginning at a secret location, Kit Caless will take you on a journey, guiding you through the lesser-known nooks and crannies of the town before ending in a hidden location at midnight. Come ready to explore, play and create. As always, in typical Midnight Run fashion, expect the unexpected and come to have fun.

Expect art, outdoor games, friendly strangers and a new perspective.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and come dressed for the weather. No latecomers please! Everyone will leave at 6pm sharp.

Book tickets here.

‘This is top class storytelling for everyone at affordable prices, says Dick Edwards, Chair of the Hastings Storytelling Festival. ‘In fact, all the stories for under 10’s are free, so come and try something different.’

 

 

 

 

More info and the full programme: Hastings Storytelling Festival

Facebook.com/hastingsstoryfest

@hastingsstory

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