Experience something new, somewhere beautiful. The idyllic Yorkshire Dales town of Settle will become a stage for international artists, this April at the 7th Settle Stories Festival.
At the heart of this innovative programme are artists who are more likely to be spotted at the Barbican, Southbank Centre and other prestigious world stages. What makes this years Settle Stories Festival different? It’s immersive and uses new technology to make the festival experience more exciting than ever before. With over 70 events taking place in just one weekend, there’s something for all ages.
As ever the festival is set to make a splash. More so than ever this year as a 50 ft inflatable whale is landing in Settle Market Place. Will you dare step inside its belly? The reward will be free interactive storytelling performances with Circo Rum Ba Ba, one of the leading circus theatre companies in the UK. How did such a creature end up in a rural market town? We want your family to tell us. There will be a free craft tent where you’re little ones can imagine the story.
The Settle Stories Festival is all about introducing little minds to new worlds and cultures. Stories can show them far-flung places, extraordinary people and eye-opening situations to expand and enrich their world. Step inside Karvan, a 16ft renovated caravan and be transported from the Yorkshire Dales to all over the world through fiction and poetry.
Plenty of traditional tales will be being told at the festival too. Head to the festival bell tent for A Teddy Bears Picnic, where little ones are invited to bring their favourite teddies. Little Man Jack is your chance to join Jack on his quest to help his poor mother. Meet his magical friends and creatures that sometimes help and sometimes hinder his journey. The Cauldron of Ceridwen with award winning Welsh storyteller Tamar Eluned Williams is a journey through the mythical landscape of Wales. Be prepared to keep your wits about you as you meet Cadarn and Barfog, the two giants who can’t stop arguing.
Festival family highlights include The Queen & the Jester, telling the sorry tale of a Queen obsessed with the notion of love and her mischievous jester. Don’t miss The Hip Hop Griot either a fusion of hip hop and storytelling with Alim Kamara all the way from Sierra Leone.
Rest assured the stories will introduce your children to wonderful ideas, places and creatures they haven’t encountered before. Through stories children are able to learn more about life, the world and themselves.
What’s more when the little ones are all tucked up in bed, there’s plenty of adult only events so you can let your hair down and enjoy a story or two yourself. After all, stories are more than just child’s play…
Buy tickets now and SAVE UP TO 60%.
Info & booking: settlestories.org.uk or call the Box Office 05603 845693
Talking to Our Daughters: Gemma Voce on what she would like to say