Listen to a selection of my stories here:
Age 3 – 7 years:
At this primary level of English Language Learning, we ensure the story is told using basic vocabulary, highly visual characters, gesture, mime, repetition and audience interaction. Nicky brings a unique and modern touch to these traditional fairy tales.
Goldilocks And The Three bears (30-45 mins)
A cheeky little girl gets lost in the forest and enters the house belonging to the three bears. This version of the classic tale is full of larger-than-life characters, fun, repetitive language, interaction, and antics beyond anything you have seen before.
Little Red Riding Hood (30-45 mins)
Into the woods, we go again… to Grandmother’s house where Little Red Riding Hood falls for the charms of the big bad wolf. Little does he know she’s well practiced in martial arts and will not stand for any nonsense. A classic fairy tale with a twist, a long shopping list, and some wonderful characters that guarantee to entertain.
Hansel and Gretel (30 mins)
Hansel and Gretel are abandoned in the forest, by their father and selfish, cruel step mother. They later find themselves in a house made of candy with a nasty witch preparing Hansel for the cooking pot. For the love of her brother Gretel rises above her fear, out-smarts the witch and guides them back home with a some treasure to boot!
Baba Yaga and Vasilisa ( 30 mins)
( A Russian version of Cinderella)
Sweet, lovely Vasilisa lives with her jealous stepmother and stepsisters on the edge of a dark forest inhabited by the evil witch Baba Yaga. One night the stepmother sends Vasilisa to visit Baba Yaga, an errand from which the gentle girl has little chance of returning alive. A nonstereotypical tale for the upper end of this age group.
Aesops Fables ( 2 tales 30 mins)
Choose any 2 of these famous and profound fables and Nicky will bring it to life, entertaining a young audience whilst teaching a valuable message.
http://www.taleswithmorals.com
Any other ‘Fairytale’ of your choice.
Age 7 – 11 years:
The stories chosen for this age group represent a child’s growing interest in zany characters, macabre plots, and hilarity. These tales are performed with high energy, sensitivity to the language ability of the group and plenty of audience interaction and participation. Following the chosen tale there will be an optional 10 – 15-minute question and answer session on themes from the story or questions of your choice.
Baba Yaga and Vasilisa ( A Russian version of Cinderella)
Sweet, lovely Vasilisa lives with her jealous stepmother and stepsisters on the edge of a dark forest inhabited by the evil witch Baba Yaga. One night the stepmother sends Vasilisa to visit Baba Yaga, an errand from which the gentle girl has little chance of returning alive.A nonstereotypical tale set in Russia that offers an alternative to Cinderella, and flavoured with a tad more grist!
Aesops Fables
Choose any two of these famous and profound fables and Nicky will bring it to life, entertaining a young audience whilst teaching a valuable moral.
http://www.taleswithmorals.com
Charlie (based on the story by Roald Dahl) (30 mins)
Nicky will perform a part of this classic tale to encourage children to read the book as performing the full length version is too long for attention span.
Meet Charlie and his family and enter into their lives with as Nicky descriptively takes the children with her into their humble home. Nicky will next introduce the 4 children and how they struck lucky in their search for a golden ticket to visit the mysterious local sweet factory. Be transfixed as Nicky jumps between an eight and an eighty-year-old, a spoilt brat and a greedy boy, a champion obsessed gum chewer and a TV fanatic with total ease and conviction.
1001 Tales from The Arabian Nights (60 mins)
These beautiful stories, told by the enchanting Sheherazade, bring to life the adventure, magic, and retribution of this ancient Empire. Suitable for 8-year-olds to adults, the language and themes can be graded appropriately.
Ali Baba and the Fourty Thieves
Ali Baba, a bright and plucky peasant discovers riches beyond his dreams… but…. in so doing faces Black Koda and his evil gang.
The Apple of Life 1 Hour
A sultan, unable to choose which of his three misbehaving sons should inherit his kingdom, decides to send the brothers out on a quest. The son who returns with the most wondrous object will inherit.Their terrifying adventures unite the brothers and teach them that “men united are more powerful than men divided!”
The Velveteen Rabbit: by Margery Williams(30-45 mins)
A stuffed toy rabbit comes to life in this timeless tale of the transformative power of love. Given as a Christmas gift to a young boy, the Velveteen Rabbit lives in the nursery with all of the other toys, waiting for the day when the Boy (as he is called) will choose him as a playmate. In time, the shy Rabbit befriends the tattered Skin Horse, the wisest resident of the nursery, who reveals the goal of all nursery toys: to be made “real” through the love of a human. This sentimental classic–perfect for any child who’s ever thought that maybe, just maybe, his or her toys have feelings.
The Selfish Giant: (30-45 mins)
This is an adaptation of a much-loved classic fairy story by Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)
The village children were happy playing in the giant’s garden, among the trees, birds, and flowers. The giant wanted to keep them out and built a big wall.Summer came but the garden stayed quiet and cold under a blanket of snow.The giant was sad and lonely….until one day the children come back…..and along with them came the spring! A fun filled, and a sensitive tale filled with action and wonder! The ending may be adapted to suit your school’s needs.
The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde (30-45 mins)
The protagonist of the story is a statue of a prince, who stands on a tall column overlooking a city. A swallow, who has delayed his migration to Egypt rests on the statue’s feet. The Prince is crying at the injustices he can now observe, having been isolated from the realities of his society while he was alive. The swallow stays with the Prince over the ensuing weeks, distributing the jewels and gold from the Prince to the poor of the city.A very touching, heart-warming story of friendship, love, and compassion.
Greek Myths
These stories are versatile classics that can be adapted for ages ranging from 8 – 16 yrs. The subject of these stories has derived from the heroes, gods, and monsters of Greek Mythology. A combination of moral fables and wild adventures set in a time when fantastical creatures roamed the earth.
Pandora’s box/The Midas Touch (20 mins for each)
Pandora is given charge of a sealed box which she promises not to open. Tragically, her curiosity triumphs, she opens the box and by doing so the world changes forever.
In The Midas Touch, a rich, greedy king’s wish is granted, everything he touches turns to gold. Soon he realizes that the key to true happiness does not lie in his riches.
Prosperina and the King of the Underworld (30-45 mins)
The world is left barren and fruitless when Pluto, King of the Underworld, kidnaps Prosperina from her mother Ceres, the goddess of agriculture.
The Pipers Boots ( A Scottish Tale)
This is a fun and slightly chilling story about a cold and lonely Piper, how he finds a brand new pair of boots, a bed for the night and gets eaten by a cow! Or does he? A short tale of sweet revenge and ghostly antics.
Age 12 + ( inc adults)
The content of these stories contain more complex plots and sentence structures and are pitched towards the more mature students. Performed by a skilled storyteller a rich and meaningful context is established clarifying these exciting tales. Following the chosen tale there will be an optional 15-minute question and answer session on themes from the story or questions of your choice.
Lamb to the Slaughter (Roald Dahl) (30-45 mins)
The perfect murder is committed by a devoted housewife on the discovery of her husband’s infidelity.
The Landlady (Roald Dahl) (30-45 mins)
A chilling tale of a batty landlady, poison, stuffed animals and missing young men.
Man from the South (Roald Dahl 30-45 mins)
A teenage English boy on holiday in Jamaica meets a mysterious old gentleman who makes him a macabre wager he can not resist!
Arabian Nights (60 mins)
These beautiful stories, told by the enchanting Sheherazade, bring to life the adventure, magic, and retribution of this ancient Empire. Suitable for 8-year-olds to adult the language and themes can be graded appropriately.
The Apple of Life
A sultan, unable to choose which of his three misbehaving sons should inherit his kingdom, decides to send the brothers out on a quest. The son who returns with the most wondrous object will inherit.Their terrifying adventures unite the brothers and teach them that “men united are more powerful than men divided!”
Greek Myths – Prosperina and the King of the Underworld(30-45 mins)
The world is left barren and fruitless when Pluto, King of the Underworld, kidnaps Prosperina from her mother Ceres, the goddess of agriculture.
The Pipers Boots ( A Scottish Tale)
This is a fun and slightly chilling story about a cold and lonely Piper, how he finds a brand new pair of boots, a bed for the night and then gets eaten by a cow! Or does he? A short tale of sweet revenge and ghostly antics.
The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde (30-45 mins)
The protagonist of the story is a statue of a prince, who stands on a tall column overlooking a city. A swallow, who has delayed his migration to Egypt rests on the statue’s feet. The Prince is crying at the injustices he can now observe, having been isolated from the realities of his society while he was alive. The swallow stays with the Prince over the ensuing weeks, distributing the jewels and gold from the Prince to the poor of the city.A very touching heart warming story of friendship, love, and compassion.
A story of your choice.
If you have a request for a ‘story of your choice’ that will not exceed half an hour – 45 minutes, we may be able to accommodate you. Please contact us in good time in order for Nicky to research and prepare.
No outside performances. Too large auditoriums are not recommended. Microphones will be required for large spaces.
Please contact us for more information regarding prices/bookings/tour schedules.