By Katy Pearson

STORY telling isn’t something we should grow out, at least according to Southend’s Hannah Brailsford.

And the professional oral storyteller is on a mission to increase awareness of the art form.

Speaking out ahead of National Storytelling Week (running from Saturday, January 27) she said: “The tradition of oral storytelling is one of the most ancient art forms and continues to this day as a vibrant part of culture throughout the world. Despite many misconceptions, it is not just for children and there is a vibrant storytelling for grown-ups scene across the UK.

“Just as performance poetry is lighting up the arts scene, storytelling is also filling the pubs and arts venues, connecting people through the power of stories.”

Last year, Hannah started a free storytelling evening for adults, Pint of Tales, which runs at the Alex, Alexandra Street, Southend, on the last Sunday of the month, from 7.30-10pm. Artists who have taken the microphone on previous nights have included theatre’s Peter Optical and performance poet Gill West.

Hannah explained: “The evening brings together some very fine professional storytellers from Essex and performance poets and offers the opportunity for anyone who wants to share their story to do so, with some great emerging talent taking the opportunity to hone their craft.

“This year we are hoping to expand our evenings with special guest tellers from around the UK to really showcase what oral storytelling is all about.”

But the story doesn’t end there. To mark National Storytelling Week Hannah is hosting two new events.

A Hat Full of Storytellers will run at the Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff, with four professional storytellers sharing family friendly tales between 10.30 and 12pm on Saturday, January 27.

Then, that evening, Speaking in Tales will be held at Southend seafront’s new arts venue, Twenty One.

Hannah added: “This evening will be bringing together storytellers, performance poets and folk music from the Mudlarks Community Choir.

“National Storytelling Week is celebrated by all ages enjoying folk tales, myth, legends, wonder tales, fairy tales and true-life stories. It takes place in storytelling clubs, museums, schools, hospitals, spoken word venues, theatres, outdoor spaces and any place where a web of stories can be spun with sufficient magic between the breath of the teller and the ear of the listener.”

To find out more, go to sfs.org.uk