London Storytelling Festival: an interview with producer Deborah Frances-White

London Storytelling Festival: an interview with producer Deborah Frances-White

30 September, 2011
by: Emma

Who doesn't love a good yarn? Next week there'll be plenty of oppotunities to hear them at the London Storytelling Festival. Emma McAlpine speaks to its producer Deborah Frances-White.

In recent years, storytelling has flourished in London. Thanks to events like the Wapping Project Book Talks, The Storytellers' Club, Book Slam and Spark (not to mention the healthy comedy and cabaret circuits supporting the art), we've been able to hear beautifully crafted tales from some of the best raconteurs in the country.

It was only a matter of time before some bright spark (in this case two bright sparks: Storyteller's Club promoter Sarah Bennetto and comedian Deborah Frances-White) decided to organise a festival to celebrate the capital's thriving tale-telling scene. From the 5th-10th October, Leicester Square Theatre will be hosting loads of wicked storytelling events with feature length shows, workshops and showcases from stars of the comedy, music and art world.

The festival will include performances from Harry Shearer (The Simpsons, This is Spinal Tap!), Isy suttie (Dobby from Peep Show) renowned New York storyteller Martin Dockery (seven times finalist in The Moth's Grandslam Storytelling Championship) and award-winning comic storyteller Sarah Kendall.

There will be a show from cult comedy collective Storytellers’ Club, a night of dangerous improvised stories, the coming-out story from the award-winning stand-up Hannah Gadsby, an opportunity for you to tell your own story at a whirlwind Story Slam, and an evening celebrating musical stories with appearances from heroes of the indie folk scene including Emmy The Great.

I caught up with LSF producer Deborah Frances-White, star of hit comic self-help show How To Get Almost Anyone To Want To Sleep With You, to find out what prompted her to organise the festival, who we should check out and how we can all tell better stories...

What made you decide to set up the Storytelling Festival?

Storytelling has become a huge phenomenon in London and New York. Two years ago I was often asked to do comedy sets but never live storytelling. Now I'm asked all the time. There’s a hunger for story at the moment. It felt like it needed a festival.

Are there any particular highlights we should look out for?

Martin Dockery is only here for a week, then he’s back to New York – so definitely catch him – he’s doing three solo shows! Also The Voices In Your Head on Friday 7th is a storytelling improvisation show with a cast made up of the cream of sketch comics – it’s really going to be something special. Also – don’t miss the gala – on Monday 10th. It has an amazing line up including Mark Thomas, Harry Shearer, Judith Owen and Phil Kay! 

What makes a great story for you?

A big emotional journey for the hero.
 
Do you think social networks like Twitter, which limit word counts, have weakened or strengthened the art?

I think it’s turned us all back into story tellers again. We’re just telling short stories very regularly. I do think it’s part of the impetus behind the storytelling revival. But I also think we’re craving live stories in real rooms. We want to laugh together and see facial expressions and hear tone of voice and taste beer with our stories.

You are renowned for your good dating tips. Any advice for shy or unconfident storytellers?

Hold your head stiller than normal. It’ll make you feel and look more confident. Tell the story as you imagine a great storyteller would tell it. You’ll come out of yourself.
 

London Storytelling Festival runs at Leicester Square Theatre from the 5th – 10th October. For more details visit www.londonstorytellingfestival.co.uk

Deborah returns to LST with her monthly live shows How to Get Almost Anyone to Want to Sleep with You from 12th October.

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Emma