Sunday 12 February 2017

Telling tales - Ruth Hatfield

I'm not doing much writing at the moment, or even much thinking about writing. The time for it just isn't available. The little voice of frustration in my head says 'Make time!', but the little voice of reason says 'Don't worry, this just happens sometimes'.  And I'm not downcast - the best encounter I've had with stories this month hasn't come from reading or writing books at all, but from listening to a real live storyteller. A couple of no-effort hours, a single evening, and I feel my mind as alive with imaginary (and real) worlds as if I'd spent days reading epic novels or weeks digging through my own subconscious.

Even with the rise in popularity of audiobooks, listening to stories told out loud still doesn't really seem to be a major part of entertainment for grown-ups in our culture. Sure, it does go on (maybe increasingly so), but when you think about how much we read stories to children and how much they enjoy it, it seems a shame that there isn't more of it about for all ages.

I went to see the professional storyteller, Hugh Lupton, doing an evening based around Arthur Ransome, looking at his work gathering Russian folk tales and then his incredible adventures escaping from Russia in 1919. I've seen Lupton several times before (most notably telling Beowulf while a percussionist did sound effects on various instruments including a large jawbone), and it always feels like a huge privilege, sitting back and relaxing while a person stands and tells you a story. It's terrific fun, too.

In this case, Lupton did actually know Arthur Ransome (Ransome was his great uncle), but having seen him also tell stories based around John Clare and Robin Hood, I don't think it makes much difference - a good storyteller has such a personal connection with his or her story, no matter who it features, that the story is always just as alive as they are, and just as alive as you, the listener. The storyteller's imagination is as vivid as any writer's - even if they are retelling others' stories, they must need to see them in huge detail in order to bring them to life. Phrases and images stay in my mind long after that evening of telling - the mark of a good story, told in a manner personal and intimate enough to go straight into my subconscious mind and lodge there.

As an afterword, I bought a copy of Old Peter's Russian Tales - those Russian folk tales collected by Ransome - and began to read them. I'm very late in coming to the folk tale party, but I have to agree with those who claim that Russian folk tale culture is the finest in the world - in my mind, they're streets ahead of any I've heard over here. Colourful and comforting enough for any adult, gory and ruthless enough for any child, they're full of twists and surprises and people who get what they deserve at the end, but not necessarily what you think they might deserve at the beginning. What's more, they're short and fast and fantastic fun, absolutely perfect for those occasions when you haven't much time to write or indeed think about anything much at length...

5 comments:

Steve Gladwin said...

Glad you enjoyed seeing Hugh and found him so inspiring Ruth. He's one of my favourite storytellers too and if you ever get the chance to go on one of the storytelling retreats he does every year with Eric Maddern at Ty Newydd, take it!

Hilary Hawkes said...

Professional story tellers are absolutely wonderful, I agree! It was only last summer when I discovered how much I've been missing out on when we decided to go to a storytelling session at an art festival. I couldn't remember when I last felt so drawn into the excitement of a story and its characters.

Penny Dolan said...

I'd agree with you wholeheartedly on this, Ruth! Hugh Lupton is an amazing and dedicated person with a very interesting career.

I've long been a fan of "told" stories and found storytelling a powerful and engaging form within the primary classroom too - though that sounds far too formal for what I mean, nor does it share the delight of being able to reach out directly to the audience. (Oh, I could witter on for ages here. . .)

Sue Purkiss said...

Have only heard storytellers a couple of times - one being our own Penny Dolan last year at Charney. Would like to learn more - this sounds great!

Ruth Hatfield said...

Thanks all! I'm very keen to do the Ty Newydd retreat one day - when I saw Hugh Lupton for the first time it was a bit like going scuba diving for the first time - experiencing a whole new part of the world more powerful than I'd ever thought it might be. I really hope it continues to grow and grow, as I think a lot more people would absolutely love it given the chance - two people behind me at the recent storytelling, one said to the other at the interval 'it's a bit of fun, isn't it', and then after the second half, in a much more stunned voice, 'I could go on listening forever'.

And very much hoping there might be another Penny turn at Charney sometime!...