Listen to Ruth's music on Bandcamp
Every occasion is unique, so if you are interested in having Ruth storytell at your school or event, please contact her direct to discuss your needs. Charges are individually negotiated but see below for guidelines.
mobile: 07902 619186
About Ruth
Ruth has been telling stories to people of all ages for almost twenty-five years now. She has worked in a wide variety of venues including festivals both large and small, fun days, schools, nurseries, storytelling clubs, home education camps, re-enactment gatherings, private parties and forest schools. She also has a repertoire of rhymes and songs for the very young.
As an oral storyteller, her words are neither scripted nor read, but from a deep knowledge of the stories, are freshly minted every time, appropriate to the context, the intention and the audience.
The traditional stories of the world are a vast and rich treasure chest of many different types of tale. The vast majority of stories Ruth tells are taken from these traditional sources, and are always told with freshness and down-to-earth immediacy. (She claims to be allergic to the precious and the twee!) She originally cut her storytelling teeth in the festivals of the nineties, but has also attended storytelling courses at what was then Emerson College in Forest Row, has studied sacred clowning under Vivian Gladwell and Didier Danthois and has a post-graduate degree in literature. She lives in Brighton but also from time to time operates from a base in West Wales.
FAQs
So is it just for children?
Some of my work is with children, but the traditional tales of the world are very diverse and not all of them were intended as children’s stories; indeed some of them are rather dark and/or deal with quite deep and subtle themes. In fact some tellings I have taken part in have specifically barred children, for example the Brighton Storytellers’ show in the Brighton Fringe Festival, aptly titled “Tales Told When the Children Aren’t Listening” !
I can tell for all ages; I have a large repertoire and am experienced in finding stories and ways of telling that are appropriate for any given audience, including one that changes as the session progresses, as does often happen e.g. in festival or fun day situations.
Do you do Children’s Parties?
Yes! Usually I will do a selection of tales chosen on the hoof from my wide repertoire, using my instinct for what is suitable for the audience. I can also do a session for very young children based around nursery rhymes but including one or two simple stories. If you require a themed session, then please contact me to discuss this. Charges are individually negotiated but see guidelines below. Concessions are sometimes available for children’s parties if you are a resident of the Hollingdean area of Brighton and are on benefits.
Do you do balloon sculpture or dress in a fairy costume?
Er...no! I’m a storyteller.
Is Storytelling just for entertainment?
While storytelling obviously engages the attention by entertaining, stories can be used for a variety of purposes, for example in educational and therapeutic settings. Examples might be to present difficult issues in a form where they can be approached at one remove, or stories may be used as a springboard for discussion about a particular topic. Bookings of this nature require individual tailoring and therefore detailed consultation as to your needs.
Are you prepared to do free gigs for "the exposure"?
While I am not prepared to do free gigs for "the exposure" - (people have been known to die of exposure! - lol), I may be willing to waive fees for certain causes close to my heart, or not for profit community events in my local areas of Brighton (mainly winter months) and Lampeter, Wales (mainly summer months).
How much do you charge?
I have a sliding scale depending on the aim of the event, the location, and how much preparation is needed in order to e.g. present stories to a given theme.
The following list therefore represents the benchmarks from which negotiations can take place rather than an absolute statement of fees. If in doubt do get in touch!
Storytelling Sessions
- 1 hour: £100 plus travel costs
- Half Day: £150 plus travel costs
- Full Day: £250 plus travel costs
Training & Workshops
- (Tailor made: Bespoke based on requirements )
- Half day: £230 plus travel costs
- Full day: £350 plus travel costs
Travel costs @ 40p per mile plus parking costs (or public transport costs if applicable)
I’d Like to book you for our event, what do I need to consider?
- It may seem obvious, but a storyteller needs somewhere to tell, preferably with a chair for the storyteller and comfortable seating arrangements for the audience.
- Next to the drumming workshop or a noisy rock band is not a good idea!
- If the event is outdoors there needs to be some kind of shelter (gazebo, marquee etc.) in case of rain or strong sunshine.
- The audience should be able to concentrate on the storytelling in order to go into the “storytrance” so for example children doing crafts at the same time as trying to listen doesn’t work as they always need to interact with their carers.
- I prefer to work without a microphone, but if you consider that the venue requires amplification, then it is up to you to provide microphone and p.a.
- You need to have a specific idea of where the storytelling sessions will fit into your event or party schedule. A few examples are: at an event such as a Fun Day, the storytelling needs to not clash with major distractions such as the prizegiving, the launch of the hot-air balloon or suchlike! At a festival it’s unwise scheduling a story session for young children at the point in the afternoon when they are tired and whingy and parents are carting them off for their tea.
- If it is an event such as a festival or fun day, then the time and location of the storytelling needs to be clearly stated in the programme and/or on e.g. chalkboards, and also included in any public address announcements that are made about events.
- You need to bear in mind that while often children will remain in the storytelling area without their parents or carers, the storytelling venue is not a crèche and parents remain responsible for their offspring at all times.
- I am always happy to talk about the specific needs and circumstances of your event.
Testimonials
Valmai Goodyear, committee member, Lewes Saturday Folk Club, says:
“Ruth is an intelligent engaging storyteller who provokes thought as well as entertaining and enchanting the listener. She does not allow her stories to ramble aimlessly or descend into the kind of feeble affectations which sometimes plague storytellers. She deploys the same narrative drive and precise choice of words that grace her songwriting. I have enjoyed listening to Ruth telling stories at traditional music clubs and festival workshops.”
John Row, professional storyteller, says:
“Ruth tells stories with a twinkle in her eye, giving some well-known and some less than well-known stories an original twist. I have told with her many times and she has always held my attention and made me smile. Audiences of all ages never fail to fall under her spell as she transports them to a land inhabited by fools, tricksters and very wise women.”
Hannah Chasteauneuf, literacy subject leader at Hertford Infant and Nursery School, Brighton says:
“I have known Ruth for about ten years, during which time she has worked regularly at my school (Hertford Infant and Nursery School) with a range of children from nursery to year 2. Ruth has a great ability to choose and adapt stories according to the age group she is working with. She has a great repertoire of stories ranging from fables and classical tales to modern day stories.
As the literacy subject leader at Hertford Infant and Nursery School, I have worked closely with Ruth and she has provided training for myself and the staff on developing our confidence and expertise in story telling within the classroom. Ruth has a good understanding of the fact that children's skills in reading and writing are based on a strong foundation of speaking and listening and oral story telling. Ruth brings stories to life using various strategies including variation in her voice, actions, props, instruments and song.
It is wonderful to observe these story-telling sessions. Children are completely engaged and keen to participate. Ruth relates well to the children and regularly includes them in the story telling process. She provides regular opportunities for children to share their own experiences, ask questions, make predictions and share ideas which can be incorporated in the story. The children in my class have always looked forward to Ruth's visits and participated eagerly in sessions.”
Polly Charlton, Kindlings Forest School Brighton, says:
“From my very first meeting with Ruth - she has been 'spot on' in choosing an appropriate story and delivery for the age of listener and the time of year/season/celebration. She even wrote a story specifically for a fundraising event that focussed on the original essence of Samhain and harvest. Our Playgroup has regularly invited Ruth to join us for our larger playdays and she has a great skill in capturing the audience’s attention from toddlers to adults and often has some excellent tricks to engage and involve the audience, as well as make us laugh. We have been LOVING one of her songs 'Hedgehog' this autumn - it has almost become an anthem for Kindlings Outdoor Play & Education. Thankyou Ruth - We love you x “
Amanda Murdoch, Children’s Area Organiser, says:
Ruth Cooke is a captivating storyteller who weaves words to great effect. Her audiences are always enthralled, children and adults alike.
Helen Hatt, Festival Children’s Area Organiser, says:
“Great stories, very engaging! Thanks for coming and delighting the kids at Beautiful Days please come back next year!”