The Very Big Caterpillar (Photo: Tracy Whitham)
When: 15th – 25th August 2014
Where: East Dorset
£: Ticket prices vary depending on the event
What is it?
The 11th Sting in the Tale Festival brings stories for adults, children and families to unique indoor and outdoor venues in east Dorset. Hear stories in an Iron age earth house, a stately home or a 1950s model town. Storytellers come from far and wide for with tall tales and short stories for all ages.
Below are some festival highlights:
The Very Big Caterpillar
When: 15th August, 11am
Where: West Parley Country Club, 275 Christchurch Road, Ferndown BH22 8SO
£: Tickets cost £2 per child and are available on the door
What is it?
Adventure with Tony Horitz and accompanying interactive play from Debutots. A chance to help Bert the Big, Bug Man tell the story of the Very Hungry Caterpillar, complete with giant caterpillar, into which the children climb and move around. In addition there is an interactive play session with Debutots, and all day fun activities with face painting and bouncy castle. Suitable for children up to 7 years.
The Smuggler and the Singer
When: 15th August, 6.45pm
Where: Priest’s House Museum & Garden, 23-27 High Street, Wimborne BH21 1HR
£: Tickets cost £6 for adults, £4 for children and £18 for a family. Includes entrance to the house and museum
What is it?
Local yarns, rollicking folk songs and curious tales from Wimborne and beyond, performed by Tim Laycock. Tim draws on stories from his acclaimed ‘Folk Tales of Dorset’ and is currently artist-in-residence for the National Trust at Max Gate, Hardy’s birthplace. Suitable for Adults and children aged 7+.
A Potted History of Wimborne – Facts, Myths & Legends
When: 16th August, 10am
Where: Meet in the Corn Market, Wimborne BH21 1JL
£: Adults £4 and children £2
What is it?
Gullivers Bookshop presents a guided walk with Malcolm Angel. Stroll around Wimborne, enjoying a humorous and knowledgeable insight to its history, from popular local resident Malcolm Angel. Suitable for all ages.
Fairytales for Grown-ups
When: 16th August, 7.30pm
Where: Earth House, Ancient Technology Centre, Damerham Road, Cranborne BH21 5RP
£: Adults £10 and children £5 (suitable 12+)
What is it?
The ATC and the Crick Crack Club presents Fairytales for Grown-ups at the Earth House. Abbi Patrix brings a double helping of adventure and trickery from the frozen forests of Norway. Enter a world filled with wonder… The show is unsuitable for under 12s and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Wrap up warm, bring a cushion and wear sensible shoes!
The History of Britain
When: 17th August, 2.30pm
Where: Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset BH23 4LE
£: Adults £13.50, students, U16s and season ticket holders £10.50. Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) £44
What is it?
Join the Pantaloons Theatre Company for an inventive open-air show and breathless race through the centuries. It’s mud, blood and stiff upper-lips! The historically hysterical show will be packed with songs, sketches and silliness. Suitable for all ages. Bring your own rugs or low back chairs.
Granny Cousins Ghost Walk of Old Poole Town
When: 18th August, 8pm
Where: Meet outside Scaplen’s Court Museum, High Street, Poole BH15 1BW
£: Adults £8 and children £5
What is it?
Victorian character Granny Cousins entertains and informs as she takes you on a walk down the spooky nooks and crannies, lanes and alleyways of bygone days, telling of those who have lived, worked and haunted the ancient fishing port. Suitable for families. Granny Cousins’ walks run throughout the summer holidays.
Pirate Paye of Poole
When: 18th August, 11am
Where: Poole Museum, 4 High Street, Poole BH15 1BW
£: Tickets cost £5
What is it?
Enjoy the Pirate Paye of Poole with Bok Theatre. Drawn from history and inspired by Rosemary Manning’s novel Arripay and Harry Paye by Herbert S Carter, this interactive show brings the pirate life to life. The audience must pass off as apprentice pirates if they are to leave unscathed! Suitable for 7 – 11 years.
Travellers Tales
When: 18th August, 7.45pm
Where: Ancient Technology Centre, Cranborne BH21 5RP
£: Tickets cost £6 on the door
What is it?
Stand up Storytelling with the Heads and Tales Storytellers. An opportunity for anyone to tell a story in the famous Earth House, with a mixture of professional storytellers and tellers from the floor. Bring a cushion or someone soft to sit on. Suitable for adults.
Pied Piper of Hamelin
When: 19th August, 2pm
Where: Red House Museum and Gardens, Quay Road, Christchurch BH23 1BU
£: Children £4 and adults £2
What is it?
Be a dancing rat or a village kid in this interactive storytelling performance. Sit back, relax and enjoy a great story, or dress up and join in with the acting, singing and dancing. This is an outdoor event, suitable for 3 years and over. Drop in before the performance and create a ratty mask or paper pipe for the Pied Piper show (£1 per child).
Fireside Tales with Granddad
When: 19th August, 2pm
Where: Barrington Centre, Ferndown Community Centre, Penny’s Walk, Ferndown BH22 9TH
£: Free event for children. Adults £3
What is it?
Cuddle up around the campfire as Grandad recalls a daring escape from a hungry shark. Tuck into a marshmallow or two as he attempts to make a new set of underpants for a giant. Exquisite puppets, captivating storytelling, beautiful shadow puppetry combine to create an enchanting show to spark the imagination. Suitable for age 4+.
Pots, Plagues, Plunder & Peace! Mysterious Tales of Knowlton
When: 19th August, 5pm
Where: Knowlton Rings, Lumber Lane, Brockington, Wimborne BH21 5AE
£: Adult £7.50 and children £5
What is it?
Hear Mysterious Tales of Knowlton with Tony Horitz. Tony leads an atmospheric walk around Knowlton’s ancient, Neolithic rings, into the ruined Norman church at the centre, telling stories on the way. Who owned the shining bronze sword and pot? Which robbers stole the bell in a snow-storm? Bring a chair, a picnic and dress for the weather!
Pied Piper
When: 20th August, 6.30pm
Where: Wimborne Model Town, King Street, Wimborne Minster BH21 1DY
£: Tickets cost £5 per person
What is it?
Follow the village kids and rats around the model town with an interactive illuminated evening presentation. The model town and gardens will become illuminated as the evening progresses. There will be time to enjoy the lighting around the site after the show.
Suitable for age 3+.
Pixies and Pillywiggins of Parley Wood
When: 22nd August, 10.30am
Where: Meet by play apparatus next to West Parley Country Club car park
£: £3 for adults, £2 for children and family ticket £8
What is it?
West Parley Parish Council presents Pixies and Pillywiggins of Parley Wood, a story walk with Lizzie Bryant. Follow curious Jack and the galloping Colepexie through a magic doorway into the enchanted world of Parley Wood. Expect mischief, mayhem and merriment from the elves, goblins, nature sprites and discover the tales of the faery folk hiding amongst the trees! Suitable for age 6+.
Legendary African Stories of the Animal Kingdom
When: 22nd August, 2.30pm
Where: Colehill Sports Club, 108 Wimborne Road, Colehill, Wimborne BH21 2QR
£: Free
What is it?
The animal kingdom is abundant with tricksters, villains, heroes and clowns. Be thrilled by The Hare and the Baboon, The Store of Fat and other great stories. The stories will be told by the flamboyant international storyteller Bevin Magama, supported by Ceri Ivins creating an array of beautiful resonant sounds throughout the performance. Suitable for families.
Secret Stories of Dean’s Court
When: 24th August, 3pm
Where: Deans Court, Wimborne
£: Adults £10, 12-18 years £8. Includes refreshments.
What is it?
Hear Secret Stories of Dean’s Court with Tony Horitz, whilst taking tea and cake in the beautiful manor house of Dean’s Court. Inspired by the history and beauty of the House and Gardens, Tony Horitz will tell tales of adventure and discovery in the New World and of pride, prejudice and love in the Old One. Suitable for adults and young people aged 12+.
More info: stinginthetale.org.uk