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Grown Up Shows

Thor’s A Dick – Viking Legends Not For Kids

Travel back to cold north, sat round a roaring fire, in your long house to find out the truth about Thor, Odin and all the other Norse Gods, to find out what a dick Thor is. This is no superhero saga.

Some reviews from Fringe TheatreFest in Barnstaple 26th to 29th June 2025

Coming to Dundee and Colchester Fringe in 2025

About Eden

Eden Ballantyne is an award winning storyteller and educator creating performances both large and small, for schools, museums, festivals, parties, and more besides.

storiesaliveuk

Storyteller, Actor, Workshop Leader and Historical Interpreter to entertain and educate, based in West Yorkshire but travels far and wide.

It’s World Fringe Day, what a better way to cele It’s World Fringe Day, what a better way to celebrate than performing 2 shows @buxtonfringe I love the Fringe scene and all the performers, staff and especially the volunteers, you all make it wonderful.
My first review @buxtonfringe and it’s a good on My first review @buxtonfringe and it’s a good one. Come see me tonight or tomorrow @underground_venues in collaboration with @sweet_prods  Here’s the review.  When I spotted this show in the Fringe programme, I didn’t hesitate to book. My obsession with reading began at an early age and fairy tales were always my favourite. While the versions I’m familiar with pull no punches, the stories presented in this show have a far darker vibe. The shows performer, Eden Ballantyne, takes his audience on a journey through three lesser-known tales recorded by the Brothers Grimm.

As Eden explains in his introduction, the Grimms gathered tales together that had been in circulation since the Middle Ages and earlier and published them in a collection in 1812.

The staging is wonderfully simple, but effective. He uses only one prop, which comes into its own on more than one occasion. Eden’s performance is energetic and physical. He moves around the stage, effortlessly morphing into each different character. Sound effects and lighting reinforced the scarier moments!

None of the audience were familiar with the three tales Eden performs - The Robbers Bridegroom, The Fitcher’s Bird and The Juniper Tree, but this didn’t diminish our enjoyment. Familiar tropes are revealed throughout the tales including dark forbidding woods and magicians in disguise etc. but I don’t want to spoil the surprises, so will say no more.

There are some truly awful comeuppances for the nasty characters – far grislier than I recall reading in my Ladybird books! There is a reason this show is just for adults.

Between each tale, Eden gives the audience some insights into some really well-known tales, including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood and Snow White.

The hour flies by and my only complaint is that we didn’t have longer to sit and watch Eden perform. Filled with humour and horror in equal measure, we laughed, sang along (in some cases) and all escaped into the imaginary worlds Eden conjured. I would highly recommend.

April Irwin
Yes the rumours are true Stories Alive is taking i Yes the rumours are true Stories Alive is taking its award winning multi 4 ⭐️ show, Buckets Of Blood - Fairy Tales Not for Kids AND it’s interactive feminist fairytale family show, Grimm’s Fairer Tales to @buxtonfringe, performing at @underground_venues the end of next week. Produced by @sweet_prods I hope to see you there.
I had a lovely day @bradfordlitfest telling my sto I had a lovely day @bradfordlitfest telling my story The Wizard & the Magic Book, and got to hear @gavcross and Maddie tell tales and see @q20events and their magic characters and listen to the @peaceartistes play their funky music. What a great day.
Bradford impressing me again Bradford impressing me again
What a lovely day @ripon_theatre_fest, I did a cou What a lovely day @ripon_theatre_fest, I did a couple of stories with my new Story Cart, a couple of glitches, but it makes a great stage, and saw some lovely shows from @storieswithliv @grandly_strange @chicksonsticks_stilts and The Knightly Knights, if you’re free tomorrow, you should all go for it’s the last day.
I had an amazing time @theatrefestnd premiering my I had an amazing time @theatrefestnd premiering my new show, and here’s some thoughts from the audience and a few pics, it’s going to @dundeefringe & @colchesterfringe next.
My first review for Thor’s A Dick – Viking Legen My first review for Thor’s A Dick - Viking Legends Not For Kids, it’s lovely. 
“Eden - a natural storyteller with a twinkle in his eye - takes you from tale to tale with wit, warmth and a wide smile,”
“but with Eden at the helm, this journey to another world is easy,”
More shows today and tomorrow @theatrefestnd
I’m just bagging my bags to head to @theatrefest I’m just bagging my bags to head to @theatrefestnd I can’t wait to return to Barnstaple.
I forgot to post this great photos from my days pe I forgot to post this great photos from my days performing in @theyorkshiremuseum during half term, telling the tale of the Rydale Hoard, a lovely week as part of the Eboricum at @yorkmuseumgardens
I’m working with the @bradfordstoriesbus at Girl I’m working with the @bradfordstoriesbus at Girlington BD8 @morrisons today then we’re parked at the store Thornbury BD3 on Wednesday and Keighley BD21 on Friday. Come along for a story and a free book. Supported by @literacy_trust
Another week, another heritage railway. This time Another week, another heritage railway. This time Earnest Mottershaw is visiting @railstoryingrow to travel up and down the @worthvalley line making sure they’re keeping safe and ever ready for air raids.
Another wee story from the Blosson Picnic in Farsl Another wee story from the Blosson Picnic in Farsley. The Gifting Tree
Who doesn’t want to hear about a Lothsome Worm o Who doesn’t want to hear about a Lothsome Worm on a sunny spring morning.
It’s Time for some tree 🌳 stories It’s Time for some tree 🌳 stories
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Contact Eden Ballantyne
Tel: 07901 611789
eden@storiesalive.co.uk

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