INTERNATIONAL storyteller Cassandra Wye will perform a UK premiere of her new show ‘Stories Under the Stars’ at 7pm on Saturday at Lower Winskill Farm, Langcliffe.
Adult audiences are set to gather round the campfire at the Yorkshire Dales farm for a night of myths and folktales inspired by the sky above us.
Programmed by arts and heritage charity Settle Stories, who bring artists and storytellers to the Dales from across the world, this will be Cassandra’s second visit to Settle.
She performed a new commission to great acclaim in Settle in 2015 at Settle Stories Star Party - a meeting of storytellers and astronomers.
Settle Stories communication and events manager Charles Tyrer said Cassandra's stage presence, clarity of diction and sheer animated gusto for storytelling does not fail to impress.
The Star Party sparked a new fascination in performing skylore stories for adults within performer Cassandra.
After leaving Settle she was awarded an Arts Council Grant, which allowed her to fly to America and receive training and mentorship from storyteller Lynne Morley.
At 83 years old, Lynne has passed on her stories to Cassandra to ensure they will carry on being told.
In explaining more about her experience of travelling to the USA, Cassandra said: "I journeyed to the prairies of the USA to understand more clearly the stories of the Native American Indian Nations who lived on the plains.
"I was able to look up at night and see the sky they saw and walk through the prairie grass as they would have done, centuries ago.
"Lynn hoped that working with someone from England would enable these stories to travel across the sky to reach a wider range of audiences than was possible within the USA."
This UK premiere performance shares the stories of those who have followed the stars - from sky-maidens looking for love to runaway slaves searching for freedom - the stories celebrate those who follow a dream to dare their future.
Mr Tyrer said Cassandra's telling of the tales, both wickedly funny and heartbreakingly poignant, have been received with great praise in America already.
Tickets are limited and cost £14 per person or £12 online.
For more information, visit settlestories.org.uk or call 05603 84569.
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