Hastings Storytelling Festival goes live and online

Hastings Storytelling Festival promises a range of delights as it switches online amid the pandemic.
Xanthe Gresham by Kathy HammadXanthe Gresham by Kathy Hammad
Xanthe Gresham by Kathy Hammad

The festival, which will also feature live events, runs from October 19-25.

Spokeswoman Naomi Robinson said: “If someone had told us last autumn that a global pandemic would send this year’s festival online, we might have accused them of making up stories.Sometimes fact is indeed stranger than fiction. From the devastation wreaked on the entertainment industry by Covid-19, bright shoots of creativity spring forth. Support from Arts Council England has helped storytellers for Hastings Storytelling Festival to adapt for digital audiences. And for those hungry for real-world socially-distanced entertainment, there’s Gareth E Rees at The Pig’s Palace, and Dan The Hat at Stade Hall. The week kicks off on October 19.”

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Naomi added: “Local school children are enjoying free workshops with storyteller-in-residence Anna Mudeka and artist-in-residence Sarah Evans, who has created free illustration video-workshops available through the Festival website, hastingsstoryfest.org.uk. Schools are busy creating book wagons with Radiator Arts for the online parade at the Children’s Book Carnival on Sunday, October 25 and supported by Read Your Way from Hastings Opportunity Area.

“The week begins with four evenings of culinary stories for adults only with our Kitchen Goddess storyteller, Xanthe Gresham, telling a different story with some conversation too from Monday-Thursday at 7.30pm online. On Friday, October 23 Hastings psychogeographer Gareth E Rees enters a familiar yet alien landscape of industrial estates and electricity pylons, motorway service stations and council houses, roundabouts and flyovers, launching his new book of Unofficial Britain at The Pig’s Palace for pre-booked audiences and live-streamed with a Zoom audience. Saturday, October 24 sees seven short Covid-safe family performances with comedian, juggler and stuntman Dan the Hat at Stade Hall, followed by a day of stories online, on Sunday, October 25, for Children’s Book Carnival.”

The hosts Loulou and Ben welcome storytellers, puppets, workshops, and the online parade showing the best of schools’ wagon-making.

Dick Edwards, Festival trustee, said: “We’re so excited to host a Festival within this year’s pandemic. There really is something for everyone. We’re working with great partners including 18 Hours, and Isolation Station Hastings to deliver socially-distanced events and online storytelling to reach new audiences, and it’s all free!”

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Mon, October 19: Xanthe Gresham: Plum Heavies: 7.30pm: online

Tue, October 20: Xanthe Gresham: 7.30pm: online

Wed, October 21: Xanthe Gresham: 7.30pm: online

Thu, October 22: Xanthe Gresham: 7.30pm: online

Fri, October 23: Gareth E Rees: 7.30pm: pre-booked at The Pig’s Palace and Online

Sat October 24,: Dan The Hat: 12-4pm: pre-booked at Stade Hall

Sun, October 25: Children’s Book Carnival Day: 12-4pm online

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