Festival returns to Hastings, with more exciting stories

Hastings Storytelling Festival returns this October with stories for all ages in venues across Hastings and St Leonards – many of which are FREE. Experience a world of storytelling, creativity and imagination at the much-anticipated Hastings Storytelling Festival, returning to Hastings from 14 October to 22 October. This diverse festival once again promises something for everyone, with a delightful blend of shows and workshops designed to entertain kids and adults alike. Sandra Hui writes.

To start the festival on Saturday 14 October, we welcome Jordan Stephens (of Rizzle Kicks and now passionate writer and campaigner) together with illustrator, Beth Suzanna.

Later in the week, discover British Bengali author, Tasneem Abdur-Rashid at The Nest. Additional authors will be working in schools as our Storytellers-in-Residence, sharing their stories with many more children, including Zanib Mian (Planet Omar), Kate Pankhurst (Fantastically Great Women series) and Emma Norrey (short-listed for the Diverse Book Awards). The Poetry Takeaway will also serve up personalised, quality poetry for teachers: performed and wrapped to take away.

We are very excited to welcome to Hastings the Little Angel Theatre with their story of ‘Wow Said the Owl’ for public audiences at Sandown School. Out of the Bag Theatre has a new show at the Mini Playhouse. Thomas Taylor returns with his latest story set in Eerie-on-Sea.

We invite adults to enjoy stories too, with locally acclaimed Bev Lee Harling’s ‘Ploughing the Salt Sea’ with a newly commissioned song and workshop; Phil Okwedy, arrives from Cardiff to weave myths, songs, folktales, and legends from the African diaspora; and everybody’s favourite clown-priestess, Lucy Hopkins brings her show Dark Mother from the Soho Theatre.

Our headline show brings Billy Childish and the Chatham Singers back to Hastings with quirky stories, discussion and music and even a new tote bag design for the festival. Don’t miss him at White Rock Theatre on Saturday 21 October.

Discover a new commission from local digital artists, Zeroh who are developing activities in Broomgrove based on the patterns of moth wings to create an ‘Eclipse of Moths’.

Our popular Children’s Day returns on Sunday 22 October. This really has become the festival for children in the town with the very best national street theatre, puppets and parade. Think chaos – with acrobatics from enormous skirts, swan pedalos ‘in love’, and the Moomins. Notting Hill Carnival also comes to town with workshops for the children’s carnival. Dress up and join us.

Over the last year, Hastings Storytelling Festival has forged a dynamic network in partnership with Adverse Camber and the East Anglian Storytelling Festival – and our collaboration with these other producers is facilitating the exchange of new ideas and new commissions. Thanks to our funders, supporters and patrons for their continued support.

”I’m honoured to be taking part in this years’ Storytelling Festival because it’s giving me a chance to work with some of my beloved childhood authors, some of whom opened up the magical world of reading for me and now they’re coming together in my home town! It’s wonderful to keep that atmosphere alive in our community,” says Sandra Hui, new addition to the 18 Hours production team.

See details for these the full programme, see Hastings Story Festival.

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