Full blooded fairy tales from Old Europe.

The best fairy tales are told only when the children are asleep. In the stillness of night, their strange, timeless potency drifts like perfume, filling our minds with images that are familiar yet deeply mystifying. Hearts are quickened by dark desires, startled by casual cruelty… soothed with the balm of happiness.

Falling Like Feathers is a journey into the dreamlike landscape of fairy tales. Laced with luscious language and shimmering images, it’s a step from the safety of the path into the delicious danger of the forest.

Synopsis: A mysterious, flame-haired storyteller arrives at a snowbound castle to tell stories to a haughty queen, her 17 year old daughter and assorted guests. The storyteller is told to watch what she says. ‘I know how you storytellers work,’ says the queen. ‘You charm us with your soft smiles and wonderful words. You enchant and beguile but all the while you are sowing seeds in our minds. Firing our imaginations. Feeding our dreams. Such power you have in those seductive little tongues of yours…’

As the snow deepens outside, the storyteller tells of witch-maidens and marsh queens, clay dolls, flowers with the power to wipe memories, poisoned apples, talking doves and a sword sharp enough to wound the wind. And the queen is right – the storyteller is working a mysterious magic with her wonder tales and she will not leave the castle as she found it…

The show contains three stories set within a frame story and is performed with dulcimer and song. Running time approx 2 x 50 plus interval

For adult audiences (12+) Contains bloody images.

Audience comments:

‘A spellbinding evening. Very unusual and entertaining.’

‘Marvellous – taken away to a different world!’

‘Quite enthralling – I thoroughly enjoyed it.’

‘A welcome escape into the world of make-believe!’

‘What a magical way to spend a Friday evening after a workaday week.’

‘Excellent storytelling. Feeds the imagination and full of character and humour.’

‘Absolutely loved it. THAT’S what’s making me want to tell stories. Never stop!’

‘So very vivid, we thought we’d seen the stories. Thank you for a wonderful evening.’

‘Thank you so much – everyone enjoyed the evening immensely.’

‘You showed us that fairy tales are not just for children – and some are not for children at all!’

Snowbone Book Cover

If you’ve read BARKBELLY, you’ll remember Snowbone… She’s the strange, pale wooden girl whom we last saw sitting on a beach in Ashenpeake, ‘lost to the wind and the waves.’

In SNOWBONE, the thrilling sequel to BARKBELLY, Snowbone becomes a fierce warrior, determined to fight for her people’s freedom. With Figgis, Blackeye and her gang of tiddlins marching beside her, Snowbone hunts for the slave traders. But the slavers won’t give in without a fight… Will Snowbone live to tell the tale?

Flying ships, exploding volcanoes, man-eating plants, hungry cannibals, burning buildings – they’re all here, in a brand new, whirlwind adventure!

Revews

This book is a testament to the imagination. A children’s novel that will appeal to adults, Cat Weatherill’s sequel to Barkbelly broaches issues of slavery, love and death while maintaining a magical charm – The Big Issue

My particular favourite… a journey of discovery where they learn more about themselves than anything else – Level Up, BBC 2 / CBBC

The book is filled with action… made all the more powerful by a spiritual undercurrent and moments of intense lyrical beauty. As the story progresses Snowbone grows in maturity, gaining wisdom and knowledge through her experiences. This is a dazzling book, inventive in plot and rich in language – Carousel Guide to Children’s Books

• Shortlisted for the West Sussex Children’s Book Award
• Published in America by Knopf Books
• Reading age 9+/teens

BUY NOW: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Snowbone-Cat- Weatherill