Aberdeen Storytelling and Theatre Festival 2007

12 February - 28 March 2007

Now in its ninth year, the Aberdeen Storytelling and Theatre Festival is a major highlight in schools' cultural diaries. With a broad view of storytelling, it offers schools the very best of theatre and storytelling, authors and artists, linking the arts and education.

The festival celebrates the powerful pull of a good story and provides opportunities for pupils and teachers to engage with a range of storytelling and theatre, as well as a number of multi-arts activities.

A diverse range of theatre companies, storytellers and authors will be in Aberdeen’s heritage venues, libraries and schools.

What's on?

There's bound to be something for everyone during the festival, and what's more, most of the events are free!

A development over the last few years has been the link with the University of Aberdeen’s Word festival. Last year's publication of 13 short stories from pupils, ‘The Last Thing I Expected’, was well received across Scotland, while the second book of stories on the theme of ‘Home’ will be launched at Word 2007.  This year, the third storywriting competition for secondary pupils has the theme ‘Oor Wey o’ Spikin’.

The Festival brings the very best of theatre for children and young people to Aberdeen with award winning theatre companies Wee Stories and Catherine Wheels both visiting Aberdeen. Also look out for the highly acclaimed ‘The Man Who Planted Trees’ by Puppet State Theatre Company.

Storytelling Fellows Cathy and Margot return with new stories, old stories and ‘Queenie and Jeannie’, a legacy of their Fellowship.

Storytelling

Look out for storytelling told in a different medium.  Experience a piece of an old Viking legend, demonstrating that in every end there is a new beginning. Told through dance, Ragnarök sees X Factor Dance Company choreographer Alan Greig and composer/musician Toby Shippey, work out of their usual mould to tell the tale. 

Storyteller Gerard Durkin speaks of tales that are weird, wonderful but most of all interactive, lively and fun. He tells tales of magic, witches, ghosts, talking animals, and giants - a mixture that is sure to keep you entertained.  Gerard will be at the Gordon Highlanders Museum and at Drum Castle.

Over at Aberdeen Art Gallery, children will be courting Drama And Disaster!  Focussing on ‘Flood in the Highlands’ by Sir Edwin Landseer and other narrative paintings, children will investigate how an artist has used images to tell a story, and translate this into creating a visual story of their own.

The Aberdeen Storytelling and Theatre Festival still remains the biggest of its kind in Scotland running for over just seven weeks.

The festival will also celebrate World Book Day on Thursday 1 March, with special events at Aberdeen's Central Children's Library.  For further information and booking details please email Heather Evans or visit the Aberdeen City Council website to download the programme.