'Tis Tales

You may not have heard of it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening… Dates vary depending on where you look it up, but National Storytelling Week, 2023, — a celebration of storytelling in all its forms — will be running over the first week of February.

Here on the Island, we’re starting early, with the Island Storytellers promoting what we’re sure will be a believably unbelievable set of Indian tales from internationally renowned professional storyteller Peter Chand.

Peter is making a welcome return to the Island following his appearance at RhythmTree Festival in 2019 and will be appearing at Caffe Isola in Newport on Friday, January 27th, 2023 with his show Jayamala and other Elephant Tales Doors open at 6.30pm with the first story at 7pm. Tickets priced £10 (including booking fee) are available from: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/islandstorytellers More details here.

During National Storytelling week itself, ‘Tis Tales teller, and island folk club regular, Tony “Monty” Hirst will be performing two separate sets in tiny venues on the theme of “unforeseen consequences”.

On Wednesday, February 1st, he’ll be performing at The Athanor “Cabinet of Curiosities” with a set of traveler tales subtitled Travelling the Road, then visiting Babushka Books in Shanklin on Thursday, February 2nd for several more traditional tales that are Verging on Nonsense,. Doors for both events open at 7pm, with the first tale at 7.15pm. Tickets are available direct from each venue:

• The Athanor, Pier St, Ventnor, Wednesday, February 1st, 2023: tickets £3, advance reservation only, from the venue, or tel. 07405 346388
• Babushka Books, Regent St, Shanklin, Thursday, February 2nd, 2022, tickets £5 (incl. refreshments)., advance reservation only, from the venue, or tel. 01983 652880 / 07511 220038

We’re also hoping to announce some new ‘Tis Tales events in the near future, along with exciting news from the Island Storytellers… So keep checking back here to find out what and when, for all things story…

From ancient stone carvings, to the Indian epics and many a folktale in between – the elephant has played a large part in many a story from the subcontinent. Whether it is the kind and trusting beast who suffers at the cruel hands of man, or the Remover of Obstacles himself the wise and powerful Ganesha- the elephant is as much a part of the myth and folktale of India as the pantheon of gods themselves.

In what we hope will be a story-filled 2023, the Island Storytellers are bringing professional storyteller Peter Chand onto the island for an evening of Indian Tales — Jayamala and Other Elephant Tales — at Cafe Isola, Newport, on Friday, January 27th, 2023, doors at 6.30pm and first story at 7pm.

Tickets, priced £10 (including booking fee) are available from: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/islandstorytellers

Biography: British Indian storyteller Peter Chand has bought together a collection of elephant stories that are at times whimsical and sensual, and also dark and disturbing in equal measure. From the mighty Indra’s flying white elephant, to the moving tale of Jayamala, this is a lovely collection of Indian stories bought to you by one of Europe’s finest storytellers.

Following on from our two previous sold-out performances (Island Tales and Sinister Stories), we’re pleased to announce our next show will be back at Boojum & Snark in Sandown on Thursday, December 15th, 2022. Doors open at 7pm, stories from 7.30pm.

Tickets in advance, priced £6 including booking fee, from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tis-tales.

Taking a step out into the woods, our next ‘Tis Tales performance is a seasonal outing of sinister stories and chilling tales, at Fort Victoria on Friday, October 28th, 2022, 7pm-8.30pm (subject to weather…).

An atmospheric evening of chilling traditional tales.

The evening will start in the car park at Fort Victoria, where the tale tellers will meet you before guiding you to a clearing in the woods. There we will settle in for an evening of stories about Death and the Devil, spectres and ghouls, close calls and unfortunate ends.

The tales are chilling, but we don’t have to be! Dress for the weather, bring a hot flask and a chair, blanket or cushion to keep the chilblains at bay.

Suitable for ages 11+. In the event of extreme weather you will be contacted and the event will be rearranged to a later date.

Tickets, priced £5.50 (which includes the booking fee) available from the ‘Tis Tales ticket site, https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tis-tales, or direct here.

On Monday, October 17th, 2022, 7.30-9.30pm, the Island Storytellers storytelling circle are promoting a special event at the Ventnor Arts Club, a one-night only performance event by singer and teller of the tallest of tales, Keith Donnelly.

Tickets, priced £6 + booking fee, are available from the Ventnor Arts Club or via online ticket sales here.

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The Island Storytellers meet once a month or so, typically on the third Tuesday of the month, typically in a pub somewhere on the Island, for an informal hour or two of round table storytelling. Tellers new and old, as well as listeners old and new, are always most welcome. Check out the Island Storytellers Facebook group, or the Island Storytellers page here on the `Tis Tales website, for regular updates about where the group is meeting next…

If your haven’t bought your tickets for our “Island Tales” performance this weekend at Medina Bookshop in Cowes, as part of the Isle of Wight Literary Festival, 2022, the tickets have now sold out.

We are hoping to announce some dates for a couple of new performances in the near future, so make sure you keep checking back here for updates.

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If you would like to book ‘Tis Tales for a storytelling performance, please get in touch via bookings@tistales.org.uk