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Writer's pictureMix Up Theatre (Stewart)

Festival REVIEW: Scottish International Storytelling Festival - ★★★★

Updated: Nov 3



Bridges Between


We’re delighted to present this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival programme for the 35th anniversary of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.


Since 1989, SISF has been building bridges between cultures, artists and audiences all over the world through the power of storytelling – connecting past, present and future.


This year’s theme is ‘Bridges Between’. At a time where literal, figurative and societal walls continue to be constructed, we invite everyone to look beyond these boundaries and to celebrate the last and the next 35 years of storytelling with us.


 

Festival

Scottish International Storytelling Festival


Where?

Scottish Storytelling Centre & Various other venues, Edinburgh & throughout Scotland


 

MIX UP REVIEWS:

Overall (only from what we've seen so far!!!)

★★★★


 

free - Scottish Storytelling Centre


A stunning collection of paintings by Orcadian artist and musician Sarah McFadyen exploring the line between the worlds of fact and imagination, and between the land and the sea. A common thread runs through this work, moving beyond what is near and known, crossing over to the otherworld and then returning with new riches to enhance the cherished treasure and beauty of the place to which one returns.


New work is displayed alongside previous pieces inspired by David Thomson’s The People of the Sea to continue a life-long exploration of this theme.


Stewart - ★★★★

"McFadyen's artwork is the perfect companion to the Storytelling festival this year, exploring the unknown of the sea. It’s a swirling, swooping cacophony of colours that ignite the imagination as the rivers below portray another world. There's something special about that cave baby as well!"



 

free - National Library of Scotland


Learn about Renaissance-era Scotland, from astronomy to 16th-century music and colourful calligraphy. Explore how writers today use the Renaissance for inspiration, and how contemporary perspectives reveal fresh interpretations of the past. Immerse yourself in this period by creating an illuminated letter, adding your stitches to an embroidery, or dressing up as your Renaissance self.


Stewart - ★★★★

"A fascinating little gallery, well set out in specific aspects of Renaissance era Scotland (literature, science, music, etc.). It’s a small gallery and focused primarily on antique books but do take time to explore and you’ll find some treasures.


The volvelle dated from 1551was particularly impressive, a means of studying the moon and astrology it’s a unique feature to the gallery and something I didn’t even know had existed, so I enjoyed exploring this feature.


Meanwhile there’s even room for a bit of dress-up which will appeal to the younger gallery visitors (or the Instagram crowd) and there’s plenty of books to have a look through as well – plenty of Shakespeare inspired picks in there which is always appealing."



 

Another Story: A Scottish Storytelling Podcast

free - Available wherever you get your Podcasts


Another Story is a new podcast series exploring some of the themes featured in this year’s Festival. Tune in to hear some wonderful storytellers share their favourite tales and chat about storytelling in Scotland and beyond.


Stewart - ★★★★

"Fantastic insight into the creators behind some of the events and performances at this year's festival. Fascinating and fun. A must listen to with many snippets of the storytelling shows as well - in case you can't make it along to the festival itself."

 

Spicy Tales from India

Saturday 26th October, Scottish Storytelling Centre


Guest storyteller Jeeva Raghunath brings an evening of stories exploring food and Indian woman power, featuring fish curry, chicken curry, gourd curry, superstition, rumour and punishment. Journey through the folk lands of India with music, rhythm and dance.


Archie (Age 12) - ★★★★★

"Jeeva Raghunath is a story-teller from India. Her show brought lots of different stories, some passed down to her from her mother and grandmother, and all based around the theme of food and Indian women power. It was hilarious and I couldn’t believe how quickly the hour went! She’s a natural comedian as well, and got the audience involved singing along and miming actions.


The first story was about a man who took fish and mangos from the temple when he wasn’t supposed to. His wife cooked up the meal but it was so tasty she ate it all herself waiting for her husband. To get away with it she pretended to be an angry god cursing the husband for stealing from the temple and tricking him into throwing away the empty pots without realising the food was all gone.


The second story was just as funny and was about how rumours get out of control. A man coughed up a feather at dinner, and by the time the gossip got around town people thought he’d coughed up a whole chicken or even bigger animals!


The last story was a similar idea to A Squash And A Sneeze where a man was getting annoyed by the noise his wife made grinding spices and the noise she made when she ate. A wise person told the man to bring more and more noisy animals into the house, and Jeeva got the whole audience joining in again with the sounds.


The only problem with the show is it was on at 6pm and talk of all the delicious food made me very, very hungry!


5 Stars (or 4.99 Stars out of 5 because I was hungry!)"




 

Make sure you have booked in for the latest DRAMA CLASSES at Mix Up Theatre...







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