*Little Marquee of (Fairy)tales* *Chapiteau des Contes*

Comment

Comment by Buck P Creacy on October 8, 2008 at 4:45pm

I would love to know more about this project.

Buck

Comment by Nathalie Jendly on October 6, 2008 at 4:06pm

A dreamy mood. It is very special to read you Martin. Thanks to have taken the time to think about the ethic dimension of those projects. Could part of the event as you propose, be explored, questionned as one of the other aspects of storytelling and architectures, social structure in august 09?

Comment by karen gummo on October 6, 2008 at 2:41pm

Hello Nathalie,
Your idea of Le Chapiteau Des Contes sounds inspiring. Are you thinking of a portable structure that could travel around the world or that could be reproduced and distributed to many countries? I like the idea of a space especially created for storytelling.
One of the most wonderful storytelling spaces that I have told tales in was in Regina, Saskatchewan in Canada. It is a sculpture designed by artist Joe Fafard called "In the Mind's Garden". It is in the shape of a gazebo with no top. I believe it is a hexagon but made of iron so too heavy for transporting. The sides are silhouettes of many stories that you can look through and there are several entrances - probably 4. This kind of structure could be made of cloth or some other lightweight material as well.

I could look for a photo if you like.
Another simple possiblity would be to simply use a canvas backdrop or a quilt. Sometimes simple ideas are the best. We also love to host visiting storytellers. Let us know if you are coming this way.
Best wishes,
Karen Gummo

Comment by Martin Manasse on October 6, 2008 at 10:45am

Looking at it from that point of view: storyteling to people in their own spaces makes one kind of impact. Storytelling to people in a specially built venue with atmosphere and to which people come specifically expecting to hear and enjoy stories is another kind of impact. The designated space, such as your little Marquee, provides a focus and if people choose to go there they are making a conscious decision whereas when a storyteller is brought into a school space the children are there anyway and are not making the choice to attend. Both scenarios work and can, indeed, work very well but it is quite likely that the audience in the marquee that was made to be a storytelling venue and has a special decor and atmosphere will achieve a deeper contact with the art.

All these issues make me think that it might be wonderful if somehow an international conference on storytelling could be funded to explore how we do things and what relationship storytelling has with social life, education, health and therapy, heritage, business, faith and the environment. For many of these things we already have some experience and knowledge but an international gathering to exchange views and ideas and share thoughts on initiatives such as the Chapiteau des Contes or Kitty's boat in Holland would probably broaden all our experience and knowledge as well as providing closer international contact between storytellers and the great bonus of reminding us that we are not alone in this crazy world.

I suspect that some idea of this kind probably underlies the FEST initiative. Sadly, I am nearly 70 now so I feel that I have neither the time nor the energy to try to make such an event happen. I feel convinced that somehow, somehwere, there must be a way of raising the general public awareness of the power and value of storytelling and bringing it much closer to the centre of the agenda. I suppose I am allowed to dream...

Comment by Nathalie Jendly on October 5, 2008 at 9:47pm

Hello Martin,
I read you with attention and I appreciate so much the thoughts and suggestion. Of course it is so much easier to have no structure at all and meaningful to just come wherever it is.
So I would say that through experiencing within a manifestation:
the little Marquee provides a special, welcoming, convivial and listening space to share stories combined with the possibility for different storytellers to work together.
In some places there is not much space and time provided and this could well help be one possibility for storytelling to be welcome by the teachers who often do not wish to have outside intervenant coming in the classrooms. In other manifestations, I experienced that it was precious to provide this welcoming space where persons of all ages would love to come and come back often for short times or hours:-)
It does not require props or special costumes. As far as insurances it has been designed and thought about to respect the standards in France that are very demanding.
Yes it needs fundings and insurance. You're right:-)
What would seem or not adequate in other countries and continents?

Comment by Martin Manasse on October 5, 2008 at 6:40pm

I can see a lot of attraction in the idea of a compact storytelling tour space designed for the purpose but I am very uncertain about its practical application, certainly in the U.K. There would be issues of funding, of insurance, of health and safety and risk assessment none of which particularly apply when a storyteller simply goes into a school and works in the classroom. When I am in discussion about arts in education I always stress that storytelling is in many ways the most powerful and cost-effective. It is in a language everyone understands, it opens the mind to imagine its own images and interpretation of the story, it stimulates improvement in literacy and numeracy and can have a profound effect on behaviour and play and yet the only cost is the storyteller. No special premises, no need to transport people to another venue, no sets or props or costumes, just a storyteller weaving magic in the minds of the listeners.

The Chapiteau des Contes, while being wonderfully suited to the purpose, could actually work against what I find so very amazing about storytelling: we meet people in their own territory and simply by the power of our stories we transport them into different worlds. If we trust ourselves and our stories why do we need a purpose built auditorium to present them?

If there is a regional or local festival where storytelling is a part of the programme then such a venue could be ideal but I dare to suggest that one of the key attractions of storytelling to schools and other establishments is that it can simply happen where the people are with out any need for any special arrangements and to me, that appears as a great strength. Forgive me if I appear a bit negative; I am more than willing to listen to other arguments but at first sight it would appear to me that the idea, while brilliant in certain applications, might turn out to be counter-productive in others. I would be delighted if you could convince me that I am mistaken.

Comment by Nathalie Jendly on October 5, 2008 at 1:31pm

Great!
Thanks Dale:-)

Comment by Dale Jarvis on October 5, 2008 at 1:27pm

We are not really on the way anywhere else out here on our island in the North Atlantic, but if anyone is coming this way, I'd be happy to try and arrange some sort of performance or house concert! We love visiting storytellers!

Comment by Nathalie Jendly on October 4, 2008 at 4:45pm

Thanks Laura for your message so I add some precisions:
The idea would be that in many states, regions or country depending on how that could be possible - a little structure could be constructed (financial support would be needed) in order that the little structure travels round ...from a village, city to others, from a school playground to another, from a manifestation to another one collaborating with the participation of the storytellers and storytelling associations of the area
as well as some storytellers from other states, countries or continents...what do you think about the idea?
In Switzerland, I started to work on that project in 2006 and 2007 only during two storytelling festivals on bringing together around the rights for culture for children, (expression, information, thinking and participation to the cultural life) in collaboration with storytellers, ONGs and associations for prevention.
For the teachers it is not that easy to welcome in their program and in their classroom some storytellers so I imagine when a little structure such as this one welcomes about 40 children at a time - and comes regularly in the school playground,
that way a continuity could well be created with the teachers.
"How do I need contributions" - I would say: storytellers who would support, imagine and participate to such a project could make it happen.
The little structure I worked with in Montreux, Switzerland was lent to my company by a french theater association.
6m80 diametre, roof 3m80 high. Need 4 persons to bring it up & down
mn 2, but it's really better to be 4.
Of course storytellers come in and tell stories:-)
there are little benches to seat on and a breakcar to transport the structure.

What are your thoughts about it?
Looking forward to reading you soon again.

Comment by andrea lovett on October 4, 2008 at 12:07pm

This sounds like a great idea. Yes I would support something like that. I am all about that,Andrea

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