Sleeping Beauty and Alcestis (Bristol)
Many years ago in the emerging dark ages, when there were no televisions, cinemas, radios, electronic devices – no books, papers or magazines one of the most popular of all entertainers was the itinerant story-teller. He would arrive in a particular village or local area, he would be fed and plied with drink and offered the best seat – usually nearest to the fire. Then as the sun set and the evening fell, from every side crept the villagers and local people to hear what he had to say.
He would weave his tales of mystery and magic – sometimes making his audience laugh – sometimes cry. Then the next day he would usually be on his way leaving behind the legacy of his stories which his audience would hold onto and perhaps weave more elaborate themes through them as they passed them down through the generations. They would sigh, having been lifted for a short while from their round of work and poverty and return to their normal lives.
This is exactly what is happening at The Tobacco Factory Theatre this week!
The audience take their seats and before long are completely spell-bound as the tales of Greek Gods, Goddesses and Heroes plus a wonderful telling of the fairy tale “The Sleeping Beauty unfold before us. Not a sound is heard or a movement made – no-one in the audience wants to break the spell.
Who is responsible for this unexpected event?
Well it is three young men – Daniel Morden, Oliver Wilson-Dickson and Dylan Fowler. Daniel is the story teller while Oliver and Dylan play the most beautiful and original music to accompany him. Daniel has a magnetic voice that compels you to listen and takes you to far away land where all sorts of things can and do happen. Both Oliver and Dylan are excellent accompanists, their music never intrusive and played with great skill on viola and guitar. Daniel states at the beginning of the show that “Stories are after all only reflections of people,” and how true this seems to be!
The trio carry us far away from Bristol and the hustle bustle around us and take us on a magical journey to other worlds. The stories are delivered with great feeling and are very moving – we may all think we know these old tales, especially Sleeping Beauty, but it takes on a new life with the telling. We are taken through a whole range of emotions – horror, excitement, sadness and joy – and then brought gently back to earth again as though awakening from a beautiful dream.
The evening is a delight and I know I walked away with a smile on my face, looking for the next handsome prince or dragon to slay. If you love listening to stories – and lets face it there are very few people who don’t – go and see these three artists and re-awaken the child within you.
