Award-winning storyteller Eden Ballantyne presents TWO different family-friendly storytelling shows: “Valhalla Awaits” and “Manic Macbeth”. Valhalla Awaits – Viking Stories For Kids features all the classic stories of gods and monsters told with children from the audience playing all the gods from Thor to Loki. Manic Macbeth tells the classic story of murder and witchcraft told with children from the audience playing all the blood thirsty and dark characters. Ahead of Colchester Fringe, Fringe Review’s Dr.Pants asked Ballantyne about all these family friendly storytelling shows. You can catch these shows October 24 – 28.
NAP: Hello Eden! Thanks for talking to us at Fringe Review. You have three different shows at Colchester Fringe but we’re going to talk about your family friendly shows here. Let’s start with the Valhalla Awaits. What is it about?
EB: It’s three classic stories from the old north with Thor, Loki, Odin and Freya, battling ice giants and shapeshifting eagles (with children from the audience playing all the gods from Thor to Loki.)
NAP: I hear this show won an award?
EB: Yes, it won best family show in Buxton Fringe this spring, it’s the second time I’ve won an award in Buxton and my second award as a family storyteller, so I was very chuffed.
NAP: And Manic Macbeth, I assume that’s the classic Shakespeare story?
EB: The classic story of murder and witchcraft told with children from the audience playing all the blood thirsty and dark characters. Upon returning from battle Macbeth hears a premonition that he will become king, but to do this he may have to commit murder, is he up for the task or will his wife have to help him? Only Shakespeare knows the answer.
NAP: And your storytelling is quite unique as it is very interactive with the young people. Tell us what audiences can expect.
EB: All the main parts will be played by people picked out of the audience on the day. With the kids playing the witches Macbeth and all the Scottish Lords, what could possibly go wrong.
NAP: What if kids in the audience don’t want to be involved or they’re feeling shy?
EB: Don’t worry the show will still go on, I have ways of making it work, I’ve been doing this for a few years now. I’ve had eager kids get up on stage look excited and then get scared when they see the audience and the lights, I will always ask them if they want to continue or they’d like to be swapped with someone else, and if the worst comes to it and there’s not enough in the mood to perform, I have other ways to make the show work.
NAP: You’ve been to Colchester Fringe many times. Why do you keep returning?
EB: It’s always a fun time with great audiences. Fringe festivals have a different vibe them performing at normal theatre shows, the people are more willing to take a chance on something, with the shows being cheaper than normal, it’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone.
NAP: What has been the biggest challenge in performing these works?
EB: The biggest challenge is responding to the audience on the day. Kids can be unpredictable. You never know if they’re going to try and take over the stage, try and hide in the background, or try nick the swords and attack the audience. I’ve had all these things happen in previous productions and that’s what makes it fun, no 2 shows are ever the same.
NAP: Out of all the Shakespeare stories, why Macbeth and not another Shakespeare?
EB: I have done a few Shakespeare plays in this style, but found out that Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet work best because of their simple storyline, I have done both Tempest and Midsummer Night Dream, which are thought of as more family friendly, but the problem with both these stories are the groups of characters that keep appearing and disappearing, I found it confused children in the audience.
NAP: In fairness, I have no idea what the plot of The Tempest is and I’m an adult. However, Macbeth is a famously gory play. Do you think Macbeth too violent and bloody for modern children?
EB: No, I think it’s too bloody and violent for modern parents, kids love a bit of gore, and are ok being scared in a safe environment, and the stories aren’t told that scary anyway.
NAP: But why share this story in particular with young audiences? How are you hopeful they leave your show doing or feeling?
EB: When I did the show at Barnstaple Fringe recently I heard a group of kids in the audience went straight to the library to get the full copy of Macbeth to look at, I just hope to make kids and adults realise Shakespeare isn’t just complicated poetic words, but great stories.
