PERFORMANCE

'I loved your story telling for I feel it reaches deep within the soul to bring forth a multi-dimensional experience… So wonderful to be engaged in all the senses, listening to your narrative and feeling the story really come alive through the voice and our own imagination – long live the storyteller!’ 
Miriam, Metageum, Malta 2007

I can offer a selection of magical tales and verse adaptable  to any venue or event - suitable for all ages. I've performed in cinemas, libraries, marquees, museums, art centres, small theatres, bookshops, castles, Iron Age round houses, and at camps, festivals, private parties, weddings, memorial services, medieval banquets, story circles and open mics. I 've told stories from around the world, and can find material to fit any curriculum, exhibition or event. I am interested in stories that raise awareness and prompt discussion about environmental issues, and specialise in Celtic material with a bardic approach, weaving in my own poetry, and creating an enchanting atmosphere.

Performances include:

BBC Breakfast TV - Roman Bath special, 2004

BBC1 Songs of Praise 2010

Bath Literature Festival

Bath Fringe

Glastonbury Festival

Big Green Gathering

Royal Armouries Museum

National Waterways Museum

Tyntesfield, National Trust

Compton Verney, National Trust

Victoria Art Gallery, Bath

Sting in the Tale Festival

Metageum '07, Malta

Italy, 2008-2010

Rhode Island, USA

View Kevan performing a story on YouTube here

An example of shows include:

Bright Tales for Imbolc (Candlemas/early Spring)
Fearful Symmetry - tales of balance & imbalance for the equinoxes
Dragon Tales - for St George’s Day and other serpentine events!
Midsummer Night’s Dreaming
Tales of the Wine Dark Sea (Greek Myths/Mediterranean verse)
Grim Reapings: bloody tales for harvest tide (Lammas)
Season of Mists & Mellow Fruitfulness (Autumn)
Tales of Fear & Fright for Halloween
Wassail! (Midwinter & Twelfth Night)
Also, wedding shows a speciality

PERFORMANCE FEES

Contact me with details of what you require (e.g. a 60 minute show) for a quote. Try to have the following information to hand: date, venue, the nature of the event, any theme, approx. audience size and age range, publicity, stewarding, signage, expenses &/or fee available

 

FEEDBACK FROM 'THE THINNING VEIL' STORYTELLING SHOW, THE BREWHOUSE THEATRE, TAUNTON

 'Loved the evening - especially the idea that people can be entertained and attention held with just the voice - no props - and merely a gripping tale to tell. Well done.'

'I really enjoyed the mixture of funny and serious stories to keep everyone entertained. It was excellent, thank you!'

'Loved the stories and atmosphere - already coming to the next.'

'Excellent mix of dark humour and supernatural yarns, thank you.'

 

Review: The Thinning Veil, Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton

Somerset County Gazette

Monday 1st November 2010

OCTOBER 31 is the time of year when the veil is said to be thinnest between this world and “the other side”. For followers of the Pagan faith, this is a time to remember and honour their ancestors, while other faiths see it as a time when demons and supernatural entities walk the earth to corrupt and influence mortal men.

For Kevan Manwaring and Richard Selby, part of Fire Springs, Storytellers of Bath, Friday, October 29 was the perfect opportunity for a night of dark tales from the far reaches of human experience.

From a traveller accosted by dark and murderous creatures on his journey home to a young man seduced by an otherworldly princess, the two storytellers wove a series of riveting and sinister narratives interlaced with dark humour and Celtic imagery.

Like all good stage performers, Manwaring and Selby draw the audience into their gothic tales by encouraging them to participate in their stories. Whether its providing sound effects for creaking floorboards in a haunted castle or chanting the name of an Irish hero to prevent them from being cursed, the duo know exactly how to make their audience feel as important as any of their own characters.

Creepy, morbid and surprisingly thought provoking, The Thinning Veil left the audience enraptured and on the edge of the seat throughout. And for a Hallowe’en show based entirely around the human voice, that’s a scary achievement.