Jenna Catton Illustrations' Storytelling

 The art of performance Storytelling is simply a Storyteller telling you or an audience a story. It’s using particular oral language, body language and engaging with the audience. It is different from simply reading a book, as the story can change with each telling, depending on the audience and the environment where the story is being told. It is not scripted, but the Storyteller owning the story as if it were their own.   

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The stories are mainly folk tales, fairy tales, myths, and legends, which are traditional stories. They have been passed down by word of mouth (not in books) for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. We do not know who first told them, so they belong to everyone. 

 Storytellers have travelled the globe and shared these stories. As they journeyed, the stories evolved, giving rise to different versions of familiar tales such as “Cinderella” and “Beauty and the Beast” in various countries. Despite the differences in titles, these stories are essentially the same, uniting us in a shared global narrative. 

Over the years, people such as the Brothers Grimm and Joseph Jacobs have collected these stories and written them down in books. Unfortunately, some oral traditions are no longer as popular as they once were, largely due to the prevalence of technology as the primary form of entertainment in households. 

Even as some of these stories are collected and written down in books, the oral tradition remains resilient. Storytellers, the custodians of these tales, keep the tradition alive, passing them down from generation to generation. This resilience reassures us of the enduring nature of these stories.

If bookings are made for an event, storytelling sessions can last between 10, 20, and 45 minutes and be repeated throughout the day; one-hour performances are also available.

Each story is 5-10 minutes long, and the occasional longer story is 30 - 45 minutes long.

 A storytelling show for adults typically lasts either an hour or 2-45 minutes and consists of a selection of stories with an interval in between.

Storytelling at events can be in slots of between 10 and 30 minutes long and can be repeated throughout the day.

I take bookings for..

1 hour, 

1- 3 hours (half a day) 

3-6 hours (full day)

Not all stories require props, as they allow us to use our imaginations when listening to a story. Also, some stories are quite interactive, involving the audience, so props can get in the way.

For selected stories, I use my illustrations to engage young children and families.

For some Adult shows, projections and Illustrations will be used to enhance the experiential aspect. 

Please ask before booking if there is something specific you require, it depends on the event, where and the audience; what stories I bring with me.