The Viking Longhouse at the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne was an appropriate and atmospheric setting to launch The Sting in the Tale Festival of Stories as chairman of the SITT committee Tony Horitz welcomed sponsors and partners from many parts of Dorset. Mayor of Wimborne Councillor Andy Hampton and chairman of East Dorset District Council Councillor Robin Cook headed the list of guests and heard Tony pay tribute to the hard-working committee members and all the people who had supported The Sting in the Tale Festival. Tony announced that there would be 42 events this year and several new venues, from Russell Cotes Museum in Bournemouth to Rockbourne Roman Villa near Fordingbridge.

Abbi Patrix from the Crick Crack Club presented Trolls! in the Earthouse. Built inside a hill and with a circular roof supported by sturdy oak trees, the Earthouse was lit only by lanterns and a huge log fire as the French master storyteller Abbi unfolded his fairy tales of Norway. Such sagas of adventure and suspense, treachery and magic with Abbi – whose Mother was Norwegian – exploring all corners of the imagination. Sometimes singing gently, often playing a melodious stringed instrument, he drew the capacity audience into a spell which was woven using no microphones, projected images or props. There were special effects but they were provided by the crackling and sparking of the central fire which, as the night darkened, seemed to take on a life of its own. The atmosphere became hypnotic as Abbi used the powerful mythology of Norwegian folklore to describe the Trolls who had several heads, long noses and were hideously ugly, heavy beats from the storyteller’s other musical instrument heralding their arrival. Sting in the Tale seeks to breathe life into stories old and new told by storytellers from far and wide and the charismatic Abbi Patrix certainly brought his fairy tales for grown-ups to life using only music and the spoken word. A truly magical evening.

All events are listed on the website www.stinginthetale.org.uk and in a booklet available at Wimborne Tourist Information Centre, there are stories, walks and theatrical performances for children and adults. Highlights include a Woodland Story Walk on Friday 22nd August at 1.30 and 3.30pm at Moors Valley Country Park near Ringwood and Stones and Bones by Squash Box Theatre at the Red House Museum, Christchurch on Saturday 23rd at 7.30pm. There are many and varied events throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend, including a free Animal Tales Family Fun Day at Walford Mill Craft Centre, Wimborne on Monday 25th from 10.30am.

If Abbi and his tales of fearsome Trolls whetted the appetite for grown-up storytelling there are further evenings by the Crick Crack Club at the Earthouse. On Saturday 4th October at 7.30pm Ben Haggarty presents Midir and Etain, billed as 10th century science fiction meets Irish mythology and adventures from magical Finland in Where the Bear Sleeps are brought to life by storyteller and singer Nick Hennessey on Saturday 15th November at 7.30pm. Tickets from www.crickcrackclub.com/earthouse or the Box Office 01202 888992.

Report and photo by Pat Scott