Edinburgh Fringe 2024
Queer Folks’ Tales
Turan Ali / Scottish Storytelling Centre
Genre: LGBTQ+, Spoken Word, Storytelling
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
A fascinating show comprising stories told by several guest storytellers produced by Turan Ali who also tells a story. The storytellers are different at each performance and the diverse LGBTQ+ line-up promises, according to the show description to be “camper, fruitier and queerer than ever!” The stories we hear are full of humanity, pathos, humour, wit and beautifully told by professional storytellers.
Review
What is the difference between stand up and storytelling? The main difference producer and storyteller Turan Ali tells us is that storytelling does not always end with a punchline or a joke. Storytelling shows may conjure up an image of someone reading a story to the very young. However, the majority of storytelling shows these days, in the UK and USA and further afield are entirely for adults and performed from memory without a script. Stories told vary from telling about personal experiences to carefully written and performed original stories, sometimes including music, physicalisation of characters, props, poems – or even while expertly working with a yo yo!
Queer Folks’ Tales is a fascinating show comprising stories told by several guest storytellers produced by Turan Ali, who also tells a story. The storytellers are different at each performance and the diverse LGBTQ+ line-up promises, according to the show description to be “camper, fruitier and queerer than ever!” The stories we hear are full of humanity, pathos, humour, wit and beautifully told by professional storytellers. The five guests performing the evening I attend the show are: Juliette Burton, Kate Cheka, Miss Bella Houston, Lake Montgomery and Aaron Twitchen.
Ali is a consummate host with a theatrical flair and is passionate about storytelling and curating this show not only for the LGBTQ+ community but also for everyone interested in stories about us all, our current lives, our past and hopes for the future. One audience member’s comment about this show mentioned that being there was encouraging for LGBTQ+ individuals “to tell their stories in a safe space” and it also helps build confidence to share their own experiences in a micro story – an innovative section Ali has created.
Without giving away spoilers about the stories, first up Drag Icon Miss Bella Houston – a self confessed former Avon lady, wearing a black and silver dress tells a very funny story. Houston is a natural storyteller and ranges from bold to gentle voice tones, often with a dead pan face showing her character’s naïveté, which is relatable and makes this performance even funnier! In between each storyteller’s main story Ali tells his own main or several micro stories that are well crafted and sensitively performed with perfect timing. Ali’s stories vary in a wide range of topics from personal relatable to deliciously risqué – and the short stories draw us in to hear more.
Kate Cheka, Funny Woman Award Winner 2023, tells a poignant story about coming out to her mother in a zippy fast talking, fast thinking style that is touching and humorous. A song/story by musician Lake Montgomery playing guitar takes us on a journey through California. Montgomery is witty, melodic and warm and sings about looking up numerous gay male friends city by city. Juliette Burton, Comedian and Fringe Legend tells a story about growing up in the country and fitting in that is cleverly crafted told in a sweet and warm delivery. Aaron Twitchen, Comedian and Circus Artist talks truthfully about a break up. It’s a raw and real story told gently and is so compelling.
All of the storytellers are enthusiastically received by the audience at the end of this entertaining, enlightening and emotive show that can not fail to make us think and feel, it’s a good thing.
