STORYTELLING FOR ADULTS AND FAMILIES

Cat is currently touring seven major shows: five for adults and two (Sir Gawain and Barkbelly) for family audiences. She can also offer a selection of tales from her repertoire – perfect for private functions and after dinner sessions.

GHOST whispers in the dark

Ghost is a collection of dark and intimate tales for the haunting hours. They may be old, but time hasn’t diminished their mysterious power. On the contrary. These tales still have teeth, and they’ll follow you home …

Ghost is a hugely popular show on the national rural touring circuit.

Show content: Flexible, but usually four or five stories, performed with dulcimer and song. There are some thrills and chills along the way, but the aim of the show is to entertain, not to scare the audience witless! Running time: 2 x 45 minutes plus interval. Works extremely well with food. Blackout required.

"A delightful atmospheric show incorporating ghost stories from England and Ireland, some grisly, some life affirming or poignant, others with the ‘boo!’ factor and the occasional bump in the night!" – The Big Issue

Age: Intended for adults but children over 12 are welcome

MERMAID Shimmering tales from beneath the waves

Mermaid is an enchanting show performed against a stunningly pretty backdrop of blue fairy lights. It’s hugely romantic, warm, emotional and wholly engrossing. Perfect for Valentine’s and maritime festivals!

Show content: Four very different short stories set within a ‘frame’ story. Performed with keyboards and song. Running time: 2 x 45 minutes plus interval. Works extremely well with food – especially a fish supper!

‘It was so beautiful. I was in tears by the end’ Audience member, Gloucestershire

Age: Intended for adults but children over 12 are welcome

GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT

A midwinter adventure for all the family

A timeless tale, playfully presented as a storytelling / theatre / pantomime hybrid. Don’t tell the audience, but the show contains a REAL GREEN KNIGHT! Six foot tall and green as grass! His entry is totally unexpected, genuinely thrilling and completely unforgettable.

Show content: Three stories performed with dulcimer, recorder and song. Wonderful use of language and a delightful degree of audience interaction. Running time: 1 x 45 mins, 1 x 35 mins plus interval. Must be staged theatre style with kids at the front.

Age: Aimed at children (7+) and families, but adults enjoy Gawain immensely, so tickets may be sold confidently to everyone in the community.

'We have had 38 shows here, and someone has just said to me this is the best yet!’ – Interval comment from village organiser, Northants.

'The delighted faces of children transfixed by Cat’s energetic performance was a treat. And the Green Knight storming into the tent in green leathers, startling hair, lurid green face and pink eyes went down a storm!’ – Village promoter, Derbyshire

BAWDY STORIES

Welcome to the medieval market town of Much Meddling on the Marsh where everyone, it seems, is up to something or other! Pregnant priests, greedy wives, frustrated husbands, sexy wandering minstrels, dancing britches, enchanted chamber pots and shoes with scarlet ribbons – they’re all here, tossed together in a saucy stew and sprinkled with sin!

Bawdy Stories is Cat’s foray into the timeless battle of the sexes. Hugely entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny, it’s a glorious collection of really old tales, many with a classical pedigree (Chaucer, Boccaccio, the Arabian Nights) And they may be hundreds of years old, yet you’d swear she was talking about someone who lives round the corner…

Show content: Several short stories, set within a frame story. Performed with dulcimer and song. Designed to be staged cabaret style with a bar but can be adapted. Contains sexual references, ribald images and earthy language.

Age: Adults only (16+)

'A storming success. The belly laughs transformed our blushes and it was absolutely priceless watching an eclectic mix of villagers relishing every word.’ – Village promoter, 2006.

‘A great show – really entertaining and fun! Cat is a tremendous raconteuse and knows how to work the audience. A true delight!’ Audience member, Derbyshire 2006.

QUEEN OF THE PLANETS with Daniel Morden

A curious tale of love and destiny

Queen of the Planets is based on an Irish folktale. A strange young boy is journeying through the landscape, searching for answers. One dark night, lost on the moors and with a storm raging around him, he seeks refuge in a lonely cottage. Inside, a pale woman appears to be engaged in normal household tasks, but things are not what they seem …

Queen of the Planets is a truly beautiful show. It doesn’t have elaborate scenery or costumes (although it does have a shimmering mirror ball finale!) Its beauty lies in the simple emotional truth it carries. This show genuinely has heart. Audiences so far have laughed, cried and given standing ovations. Leaving the show, they have found that their perception of the world has shifted ever so slightly; suddenly the stars seem a little brighter than they were before…

"The Queen of the Planets may be based on an Irish folktale, yet the spooky thrill and emotion offered belong perfectly in the modern world." – The Times

Show content: Several short stories set within a frame story. Live and recorded musical accompaniment. Approx 2 x 45 minutes plus interval. Must be staged theatre style. Blackout required.

Age: Intended for adults but children over 12 are welcome

KISSING THE WIND Tales of love and longing

Kissing The Wind is a glorious, whirlwind adventure that ties three tales by the enigmatic Marie de France into an enchanting love knot. In Guigemar, a wounded knight searches for the only woman who can cure him. In Yonec, a secret love affair ends in tragedy and in Lanval, a handsome knight who charms two beautiful women finds himself in an impossible situation.

Kissing The Wind is an exhilarating, sensual journey through a medieval landscape. It is richly enchanting…cinematic…heart warming …lyrical…and elegantly bawdy! If you love language, you’ll love this.

Performed with dulcimer, recorder and song.

"Saucy as well as spellbinding" – The Times
"The audience was enthralled and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening" – Bath Literature Festival

Age: Adults 16+

NEW FOR AUTUMN 2007

BARKBELLY AND OTHER TERRIFIC TALES

A ‘Meet the Author’ show with a difference

BARKBELLY is a magical, fast-moving adventure story for children - and adults who love a good yarn! It follows the fortunes of a wooden boy, Barkbelly, as he makes a perilous journey in search of his real family. The book is packed with pirates, amazing machines, giant hedgehogs, a circus and a jam factory!

In BARKBELLY AND OTHER TERRIFIC TALES, Cat brings the book to life with amazing energy - and tells some of the stories that inspired her to write it. Whether you've read the book or not, entertainment and excitement are guaranteed!
 
The show is performed with music, lots of fairy lights and plenty of audience interaction! Book signing will follow the show.

* Supplementary adult afternoon session available (approx one hour) for village book/writers/social groups to talk about getting a book published etc.

Show content: Several short stories, extracts from the book and a Q & A session. 2 x 45 mins plus interval

Age: Children 7+ and their adult families.