Category: Storytelling

Life is full of stories, and whether we like it or not, they happen to us every day. Yes, these stories might sometimes turn out to be life changing events by themselves, but most of the time their impact is felt much smaller. This does not however lessen their importance. In fact, wouldn’t it be correct to say that these ‘small stories’ are the building blocks that we use to create the person we are today?

So how do you tell your own story? Well, sometimes a personal narrative can be made much easier if you create a narrator and in our new podcast; that’s exactly what Jeannie McGinnis has done. She uses the character of ‘Kathyrn McKenzie’ to tell her diverse stories, ranging from the alluring lights of beauty pageants to a descent into the murky shadows of the Red Light District. From ‘Alaska to Texas’ and ‘Irkutsk to Koh Samui’; Kathryn learns from both the mundane and the extraordinary, all the time recounting her humorous and sometimes gritty experiences.

Prejudge and stereotypes are an unfortunate part of our world and can be hard to avoid. So let’s confront them directly and whilst we’re doing that, why don’t we play a little game together and see if we all share the same little petty viewpoints about people we know nothing about?

The rules are simple. We’re going to play four different games of ‘Guess Who’. However, rather than try to guess someone based on their physical attributes, we’re going to try and guess them using non-physical attributes. Things people think; things people do. These are the questions we’ll need to answer together

Jeannie is an American citizen who relocated to Sheffield with her family several years ago and whose US driving license expired shortly after arrival. However, with 20 years of driving experience under her belt, she felt confident about obtaining a UK license.

That is, until she had to take the test. Until she met her instructors.

Jon is an uneducated but well read and cultured northern man, who has lived and worked in the same town all of his life. As the local and national economies take a turn for the worse, respected union man Jon is, to his surprise made redundant. As his town and friends start to crumble, Jon realizes they need a voice, and thinks about pursuing his political interests. Homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, food banks and gambling have hit his town hard. He has the voice and a narrative. But does he have the answer?

Moments can occur when you least expect them, existing for only the briefest of instances; often leaving you wondering if such an experience could ever happen again. They might find you alone, happy, excited or regretful. But remember, they will find you…

I suppose it was inevitable, me ending up here in this police cell. You might even say it was my destiny. You see ever since I was small, I’ve loved stories of heroes and magicians who’ve escaped from impossible places and incredible situations. Now here I am, inside such a place. It’s a bit ironic I guess. However; sometimes what you see isn’t necessarily what you see…

‘The Long Journey’ is a story about a man who sets out across a blizzard of snow in a vain attempt to reach a destination which he has no hope of ever reaching, but still he tries. Written by Ziemowit Holda (the story was originally called ‘Sisyphus’) and performed by Felix Orion, this work is a powerful examination of ‘singular dedication’