Time Between Times Productions
Dark Heart of the Valleys
Time Between Times Productions showcases the storytelling talents of Owen Staton the world renowned Welsh storyteller who has brought this ancient art to a new generation. Specializing in dark Celtic Tales, Owen has performed the world over and is delighted to return to Venue 40 after a three year break.
Called the 'greatest storyteller of his generation' (Stockton), Owen Staton has enthralled audiences the world over. Here he explores the darkest fairy stories from Welsh folklore and legend. Sit back, be afraid but most of all enjoy, because if storytelling is your thing, then this is your Grail.
Performances:
23rd - 28th August
Price:
£8.00 (£6.00) »
A Gift worth receiving.
FRINGE REVIEW - Dark Heart of the Valley, Quaker Meeting House
Leave a comment
23-28 Aug, 2015 (2105) @ Quaker Meeting House
By Danielle Farrow
A chair, a table, a candle, an hourglass, a couple of glasses of water; a gentle glow, a spotlight and a red wash; a wicked robber, a cave of gold, a reluctant soldier, a quick-thinking witch, a loving wife, the devil himself - and more. A storyteller.
While the staging is simple, the stage is filled with characters and adventures, intricacies and surprises, along with a lot of humour. Owen Staton's delivery takes a little getting used to as he pushes the start of phrases very strongly, but he doesn't fall into really pummelling his audience - instead, he uses variation to draw us in and creates wonderful moments of suspense right next to those of laughter. The darkness in the two tales is left to our minds to fill out, to some extent, but this is part of the art of storytelling: stimulating the imagination of the listeners and creating notes that play on after.
Staton's Welsh tones attract, but would not be enough to fill the time if he were not also a very fine storyteller. He sets scenes and details beautifully, taking us from current Edinburgh and the Fringe into the world of the supernatural. The details given in the placing of these tales are marvellous and caused this reviewer to do a spot of research online after, learning a bit about a famous opera singer along the way. For Staton mixes historical fact and dramatic license to bring great texture to his dark, valley world, and this 'time between times' passes quickly, with the listener engrossed throughout.
Dark Heart of the Valley is an engaging, well-told piece where you can see a performer thinking on his feet and committing to the gift of story he offers - a gift worth receiving.
Held us captive with their dark potency
Mr. Staton's stories of enchantment drew the audience in and held us captive with their dark potency, but among the shivers he was still able to make us laugh as well. His melodramatic style felt a bit overwhelming at first, but he soon put us at our ease and we were lost in the shadows of magical Wales. With no props other than a candle and an hourglass, Mr. Staton's performance left the imagination to run free. A good show.
-Andy Glowaski