The Hip Hop Shakespeare Company
A children’s literary festival brimming with live performances, storytelling and creative workshops? It must be the return of the annual Storystock festival to the Bush Theatre this half term.
Dedicated to primary school children, this fiesta of storytelling features a special appearance from Judith Kerr, author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, to celebrate the publication of her first illustrated novel in 37 years.
Fans of the legendary 92-year-old author, who also wrote the Mog picture books, will be able to watch Judith Kerr in conversation about her new book Mister Cleghorn’s Seal.
Published in September, the story follows the adventures that ensue after Mr Cleghorn takes a trip to the seaside and rescues a seal pup called Charlie.
But that’s not the only big name to inspire and excite at this year’s Storystock.
The three-day festival on 28-30 October also includes a live drawing show from children’s laureate Chris Riddell, storytelling from TV presenter and author Cerrie Burnell, and a Diwali-themed craft session from Coram Boy author Jamila Gavin.
Fairytale Hairdresser fans will be able to meet author Abie Longstaff, while budding children’s writers and comic book creators can get tips at dedicated workshops.
Olivier Award-winning show I Believe In Unicorns, performed by Daynah Miller, kicks off the festival this year and Storystock director Claire Gill said she expected this year to be the ‘best yet’.
“Storystock always loves coming back to the Bush,” she added. “This half term we have the best of our literary acts and authors in this circus and we expect it to be our best yet.”
Dozens of interactive sessions are taking place each day, including hourly storytelling sessions featuring appearances from family favourites such as Kipper, the Blue Kangaroo, Mog, and the Tiger.
New for 2015 is an evening programme for parents, with talks including Pushy Parent v Idle Parents from Toby Young (What Every Parent Needs to Know) and Tom Hodgkinson (The Idle Parent).
Parenting gurus including Noel Janis Norton (Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting), Mark Woods (Planet Parent) and Karen Doherty (Seven Secrets of Successful Parenting) will also take to the stage in a series of talks that include a mock family court.
Tickets range in price from £4 to £18 and are on sale at the Bush Theatre box office, 7 Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush, or call the box office on 020 8743 5050.
For more details visit www.storystock.co.uk.
