It has been four years since my retelling of “The Twits” debuted in Islington. I am yet to tire of telling this classic tale to children and families and last year it received a timely overhaul at Roald Dahl HQ which refreshed both the story and the teller. I still enjoy seeing children’s faces as I describe the wormy spaghetti (and the adult’s faces when the bucket of Hug Tight sticky glue comes out!). It remains a pleasure and a privilege to share this story.
Believe it or not a year ago this week I moved from east London to East Sussex, a shift which I thought would spell curtains for working as a storyteller. Instead it has seen me having to shift the focus of my work and adapt to a life beyond London. I’m not saying this is always easy (I certainly see 4am more often than perhaps I’d like to) but I am still here and still enjoying the work.
It is also the anniversary of a superb week spent at Roald Dahl HQ breathing life into “The Enormous Crocodile” with Amy Hodge. In the year since I have enjoyed sharing this brilliant story with slightly younger audiences than perhaps Mr and Mrs Twit are intended to meet. I love the way I tell this story; it’s colour and inventiveness makes me and my audiences smile.
I was fortunate enough to have a very busy throughout 2019 which meant that despite spending the week of Roald Dahl Day touring Greater Manchester and Merseyside I probably didn’t share the two stories I’m best known for telling as often as I might have otherwise. So its with great excitement that I look forward to the February half term when I’ll be telling both “The Twits” and “The Enormous Crocodile” for public audiences.
On Monday 17th February I will fulfil a long held ambition as Mr Twit visits The Roald Dahl Museum. I can’t begin to tell you how amazing it is to be taking my version of a Roald Dahl story back to the place where it all began for what I’m sure will be three very special sessions. On Wednesday 19th February I will be doing a very special retelling of “George’s Marvellous Medicine” for Rugby Gallery and Museum. This is something we have been working on for a few months and whilst there will be aspects of my theatrical style of storytelling on show (boy would I have loved to do a homage of Rik Mayall!), this will be much more of a workshop styled presentation of a story. Then on Thursday 20th February I will be teaming up with storyteller and friend Andy Copps as we present a double bill of Roald Dahl stories (Billy and the Minpins and The Enormous Crocodile).
Here are the dates – I hope to see you there!
Monday 17/2/20 – The Twits @ The Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden (3 presentations)
Wednesday 19/2/20 – George’s Marvellous Medicine @ Rugby Gallery and Museum (3 presentations)
Thursday 20/2/20 – The Enormous Crocodile @ The Charles Cryer Theatre, Carshalton
Saturday 22/2/20 – The Twits @ Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and Winchester Libraries
John Kirk is a professional storyteller telling stories in schools and libraries and at events and festivals. For more information or to make an enquiry, complete a contact form.