THE THREE PILLARS

12th-16th October 2026

Residential. Near Windermere, Lake District, UK

Cost: £475 inc food & accommodation

Aimed at aspiring storytellers with experience of performing, and a basic repertoire of traditional stories to draw on, this fun and intensive 5 day workshop explores three fundamental aspects of storytelling: body, language and story.

Through exercises, discussion and shared curiosity we will investigate the territory of each pillar, building skills and mastering the architecture of folktale and myth.

With the Lakeland Fells on our doorstep we will take a day to venture out amongst the mountains and becks, finding the wild elements in our bodies and words.

Come along preparing to be encouraged, challenged and inspired.

Interested in booking or hearing more?

Get in touch: nick@nickhennessey.co.uk

     FIND YOUR VOICE

A Performance Storytelling Course

Brigsteer Village Hall, LA8 8AL

Cost: £180 (inc refreshments)

Dates: Mondays 6.30-9.30pm, starting 28th Sep (all dates below)

In this 10 week course, we will dive into a rich treasure trove of traditional folktales and wondertales (fairytales) from around the world and create unique spoken word performances.

Through a combination of playful exercises and discussion, we will explore how to work with the bare bones of a narrative through structure and composition, how to build a vivid story world through imagery and description, and how to improvise a story with confidence.

Across the course, we will also have sessions on: 

Rasa – the concept in Indian arts which can help us create emotional connections in the story and with the listener 

Voice – exploring our own voices and what they are capable of (often more than we realise!) 

Physicality – moving in a space, using gesture and expression, and playing with sticks to help us find a dynamic physical language.

The course will be led by Emily Hennessey; a professional storyteller with over 20 years of experience. She performs internationally, from Iceland to India, at festivals, theatres and arts centres, and runs masterclass workshops across Europe.

www.emilyhennessey.co.uk

This course is aimed at adults (14+) and suitable for beginners and those with some storytelling experience. Limited places.

DATES:  

28th Sep 

5th Oct 

19th Oct 

26th Oct 

2nd Nov 

9th Nov 

16th Nov 

30th Nov 

7th Dec 

14th Dec

To book: emily@emilyhennessey.co.uk

We also offer storytelling workshops and performances as well as teacher training sessions in primary and secondary schools across Cumbria and the rest of the UK.  

For more details, email: admin@stealingthunder.co.uk