Tales from around the world....

Went along to see Rob Parkinson at West Kent College last night as part of the Tonbridge arts fest. Rob is the resident storyteller for the whole of the festival week and came along to the Book Fair on Sunday to do a session there but, unfortunately, I was unable to see him as I was too busy organising the event and running around after visitors and irate booksellers! Anyway, last night was World Tales; Rob showed off his many skills which, obviously, included story telling but also the ability to play a huge variety of weird and wonderful looking stringed instruments and drums from around the world. I marvelled recently when watching Seasick Steve on Jools Holland playing a guitar with only three strings; well Rob plays one with only two! He often combines playing and telling at the same time to reinforce the story. The venue wasn't perfect being in the too brightly lit and busy thoroughfare lounge area of the brand new theatre and media centre at West Kent College, but Rob made the most of it. Story telling is definitely something I could never do very well; I know my limitations. It takes alot of bottle, alot of charisma, musical ability and, not least, a great memory to stand there and tell tales with no notes and keep people engaged for over an hour. Rob taught us how similar stories have travelled and evolved in different parts of the world going off in there own unique ways to suit the various cultures. The art of story telling is, after all, older than the written word itself having been around for thousands of years before paper and books came on the scene. People from the audience were invited to stand up and tell their own stories; I squirmed in my seat at this point but actually, thankfully there were some brave people who stood up and told us stories about Nicky the Fish of Sicily and others from India and Canada and they also were entertaining. If you're now feeling like you've missed out then don't despair. You can still see Rob and have a few drinks while you're being entertained at the Rose and Crown on Friday evening. I think you can pay on the door but don't blame me if you can't, check the arts fest web site to make sure....