For Key Stage Two
Most of these stories are suitable for everyone from year 3 right up to year 6, but have to be adapted to suit the age group so can't be performed to year 3 and year 6 at the same time!
Pots of Gold!
Dodgy Pirates, greedy Kings, sausages that can swim and some wonderful good luck for people who deserve it - a collection of stories from around the world that will clearly show why you've got more chance of digging up a pot of gold from your own garden than you have of winning the lottery.
The real, honest, accurate, absolutely one hundred per cent totally true account of what really really really happened with Jack and his Beanstalk. You thought you knew this story? Ha! Think again! It really did all happen, about two hundred years ago and not very far from where you are now.........
and we have to warn you..... it`s a bit scary!
Around the World in a day!
John has a huge collection of myths, legends and folk tales from every continent in the world and many different countries. These stories allow us a glimpse into other cultures whilst at the same time reminding us that whoever we are, and wherever we live, we`re all subject to the same hopes, fears and experiences.
In this day long package John can ensure that each class will hear different stories from different countries - no more than one story from any particular country in one session, and no story repeated at any other time in that day. Then it's up to the children to tell each other the stories they heard from John (and believe us - they do!). The result: a trip around the world in stories and still back home in time for tea!
Arabian Nights (and more)
Stories from the Indian subcontinent and middle east. Some drawn from the Arabian Nights stories, some from other sources, all of them wonderful in every sense.
The Far Side of the World
Wonderful stories from Japan, China and the far east. A motley crew of characters - some very good, some very very bad - extraordinary creatures and amazing twists and turns!
Tales from Egypt
A storytelling session that involves a bit of history and geography, a lot of blood and guts, some very dodgy characters, and the best explanation your kids will ever hear as to why they shouldn`t pick their noses.
Tales from Greece
Some of the most wonderful and important stories in the history of the human race. Heroes, villains, tragedy, romance, comedy, myth, legend - they`re all here for everyone to love.
Tales of Albion
There`s more to British folk tales and legends than you might imagine. There are peddlars, tricksters, rogues and royalty, smuggling parsons and fish with rings Some you won`t have met before, but some might seem oddly familiar.....
My Next Trick.....
The 'Trickster' story is a tradition that crosses cultural and geographical boundaries and thousands of years, from treasure theives of the ancient world to modern day scams and cons, they thrill, amuse and entertain in equal measure and prove that the world has always had its loveable rogues.
Old Tales from the New Empire
China is emerging as a superpower, and many schools are now organising exchanges and contact with schools in China. This collection of old folk tales and legends gives a fascinating insight to the people, the history and the culture of this huge country and serves as an excellent introduction to a nation which, in the course of your pupils' lives, will exert an ever greater influence, both economically and culturally.
The Iliad
Tensions at a wedding, disputes over beautiful women, divided loyalties, cunning and bravery, treachery, cowardice and some downright bad behaviour - if it wasn't for the interventions of the gods and the apocalyptic battles you'd think it was an episode of Eastenders!
The Odyssey
It depends on how you look at it: this is either an epic adventure story of war heroes being frustrated in their attempts to return home, or a bunch of idiots who deserve what they get - you decide!
Please note: both The Iliad and The Odyssey are hour long stories best suited to years 5 and 6.
and ONLY for years 5 and 6.....
Beowulf and Grendel
An atmospheric (and wonderfully gory!) retelling of one of the oldest stories in the English language. It's the basis of John's book 'The Geat' but not a reading or recital of the book in any way - it's a live and engrossing retelling which is different every time but which always leaves audiences (children and adults) breathless at the end!
(Please note: this is a horror story and is NOT suitable for anyone younger than year 5.)
"The very best way to experience Beowulf is to see it spoken live" - Historian Michael Wood
Gruesome-Gory-Creepy-Crawly
Every child likes to be scared and this collection will appeal to every child! A collection of grizzly urban legends (which John then proves can`t be true so no-one goes home really really terrified), spine-tingling tales of strange goings on and ridiculous tales of hysterical hysteria. Your pupils will be left dying to tell them at the next sleepover they go to but, because of the way they`re told and the way the performance ends, they`ll still get a good night`s sleep!