Winter Tales

 

Winter Tales brought a relaxed and welcoming evening of storytelling to the Todmorden Hippodrome. The night offered a varied mix of folklore, poetry, and original writing. The set, dressed by Steve Clarkson and Justine Sutcliffe, created a cosy atmosphere with fairy lights, bare‑branch trees, warm colours, and a bookcase filled with curiosities. A red armchair and lamp completed the fireside feel, helping the audience settle in for an easy, enjoyable night of stories.

The evening was directed by Helen Clarkson and Justine Sutcliffe, whose planning and structure helped the night run smoothly. Justine also compered the event, introducing stories with a friendly, relaxed manner, sometimes individually, sometimes in small groups, giving the audience helpful context without slowing the pace.

The evening was supported by a reliable and attentive technical team who helped shape the atmosphere throughout. The lighting was kept gentle and warm, shifting subtly to suit each story without ever distracting from the performers. Moments such as Lucy Andersen’s lantern‑lit entrance or Carl Wild’s drum‑accompanied reading were enhanced by thoughtful, well‑timed cues. The sound was clear and steady all night, allowing every reader to be heard comfortably. These quiet but essential contributions helped the stories land just as they should. Each story was introduced and rounded off with music chosen to suit its style and genre, helping set the mood without overpowering the performers. These cues were handled by Helen Clarkson, whose sound choices supported the flow of the evening and added a gentle sense of continuity between the different pieces.

Act one opened with The Sicilian Legend of Saint Antonio, told by Rosie Hodson, dressed in a red cape, peasant‑style trousers, and a white tunic. She delivered the story first in Italian and then in English, both with clear expression and lively physicality. A light‑up staff and a toy pig added fun touches to her telling of this traditional tale.

Next came A Thing Called Snow by Yuval Zommer, read by Liv Bellamy Brown. Seated comfortably, she gave a gentle reading of the story of a fox and a hare discovering snow. Liv later returned with an excerpt from the Moomins by Tove Jansson, a nice nostalgic moment for many who remembered the 1980s TV series and its later versions.

The tone shifted with The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, read by Lucy Andersen. Wearing a woolly hat and coat and carrying a lantern, she created the sense of stepping in from a winter’s night. Her reading of the Russian folktale about a couple who build a child from snow was calm, clear, and atmospheric.

Richard Holley read two pieces: The Coming of the Cold by Theodore Roethke, a reflective poem about the arrival of winter, and later Old Christmastide by Sir Walter

Scott, which looked back at older festive traditions. His steady, confident delivery suited both pieces well.

Peter Appleby followed with The Children of the Sun, an African folktale about the last ever winter and the origins of the Sun. His clear, gentle reading allowed the story’s imagery to come through nicely.

Act One ended with The White Horse, written and read by Lewis Edwards. Wearing a big coat and carrying a rucksack, he told the story of a lonely traveller who may—or may not—have met the ghost of the White Horse of Uffington. It was an engaging, slightly mysterious piece to close the act.

Act Two began with Justine Sutcliffe stepping in due to cast illness to read 11.19, written by Chris Berry. She handled the piece with a good sense of pacing and contrast, giving the story room to unfold.

Richard Holley returned with two more readings: Advent 1955 by John Betjeman, which mixes humour with reflection, and A Christmas Walk from Laurie Lee’s A Village Christmas, full of gentle rural winter imagery.

Carl Wild then read The Medicine Bear, accompanied by a steady shamanic drumbeat. The rhythm added a distinctive feel to the story, which explores themes of healing and transformation. His delivery was confident and engaging.

Next came Cancelled Christmas, written and read by Madeleine Cullinane. Set in 1600, it follows Goodwife Elizabeth’s frustration at Oliver Cromwell cancelling Christmas. Dressed in period‑style clothing, Madeleine gave a humorous and detailed account of festive traditions at the Squire’s house compared with Cromwell’s stricter approach.

Michael Crowley followed with To Die in Rochdale, about a man down on his luck who finds a hare stone that brings unexpected good fortune and companionship. His animated reading brought out both the humour and the warmth in the story.

Act Two was rounded off by The Todmorden Hob, written and read by Janet Spooner. Dressed in a Macintosh, hat, and wellies, she looked just like the farmers in her tale. Her lively performance, switching between characters and voices, told the story of a kindly hobgoblin who helps local farmers. It was funny, warm, and a very fitting way to end the evening.

A sincere thank you goes to everyone involved, and especially to David Winslow for his warm hospitality and support. The night ended with a real sense of community, and the audience left having enjoyed a varied and easygoing evening of winter storytelling.

 

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