STORIES FROM HISTORY

Children’s learning should be memorable and a story performance can ensure this. I mention below just a few of the special historical curriculum offerings that I have led. A story can be told for pure entertainment; or I could combine some background information either before or after a story, discussing sources and known facts etc.

Greek Myths in an alternative and certainly distinctive style! This can range from the shores of Troy through the adventures of the almost superhuman Odysseus to the tales of the feuding Gods.

You could have Orpheus’ journey into the depths of Hades: or how about one of the great heroes’ adventures against fantastical creatures?

Romans as you have never seen them!

I dress as Boudicca sack Camulodunum and rampage with young helpers through the land.

Bill as Boudicca about to sack Camulodunum (Colchester)

Afterwards I can talk about sources like Tacitus and where his sympathies might have lain. I have told this story in the Caerleon amphitheatre to over 200 young people.

I perform Caractacus (Caradoc) in role, telling of his West Country adventures and his brave entrance in front of the Emperor in Rome.

I can, of course, add other tales from the Romans.

"Stuff the Romans"

There are a host of stories from other historical periods that I would be happy to tell: I am always keen to research new stories. I am always interested in helping children write creatively about the time period they are studying.

Examples of other historical periods include:

Ancient Egyptians taking in the stories from the Gods –the death of Osiris always fascinates young people.

Tudors/Stuarts stories can include the Gunpowder Plot, the Great Fire, The Plague, The Civil War, The Armada, The Mary Rose and many more.

Victorians – I have been Charles Dickens in school and am happy to bring out stories from that time.

Vikings – the first Europeans to visit America - their story and what evidence we can find for this. Their raids from their formidable long ships make a fascinating performance.