“What makes a river special is what happens on it, along it and in it”
A documentary storytelling series with rivers as it subject. Nothing could be simpler. We commission textile ribbon maps that identify the positions of all bridges, dams, major settlements and confluences. These maps are then used to illustrate guided tours that cover thousands of years of history, beautiful natural history, famous sights and fascinating facts.
The tours are performed in an engaging, friendly style with wit and energy to a live audience.
The Severn
Craig, a Shropshire Lad is ready to float with you down Britain’s longest river. Your journey will be full of wildlife and agriculture, ghosts of an industrial revolution, coracles and trows, cathedrals, taxes and floods. The whole journey is stitched into a beautifully embroidered map waiting for you to jump aboard.
Brilliant…I loved all the jokes, characters and tones of voice…Fabulous
Audience Member (Worcester)
Written and performed by Craig Stephens
Map by: Jo Teague with stitchers from Worcester, Tewkesbury and Shrewsbury
Directed by Craig Stephens with James Yarker
Produced by Nick Sweeting and Lucy Bird
The Indus
The Indus has amazing tales tell. It has been the focus of great history and politics, religion and wildlife. Karan has been eager to undertake an adventure to the river’s source in the Himalayas from his home on its delta since he was nine years old. Join him on this great geographic adventure.
A well produced and acted learning delight!
IJ
Written by: Nafeesa Hamid – with Stan’s Cafe
Map by: Summerfield Project – with Abeda Begum
Performed by: Karan Maini
Directed by: Stan’s Cafe
Winding table by: Infamous Community Arts
Produced by: Dominic Thompson
Tour Dates
-
The Severn
6 July 2024
CoCoMad
Cotteridge Park
Birmingham -
7 July 2024
Dean Heritage Centre,
Soudley -
13 July 2024
Queenswood Country Park, Leominster -
24 July 2024
Tewkesbury Abbey Gardens -
27 July 2024
Worcester Fringe Festival -
10 August 2024
National Waterways Museum, Gloucester -
31 August 2024
Powis Castle and Gardens -
27 September
Number 8 Arts
Pershore -
The Lune
13 April 2024
Tebay, Penrith -
13 April 2024
Market Square, Lancaster -
14 April 2024
Kirkby Lonsdale -
14 April 2024 Halton
-
20 April 2024
Sedbergh -
20 April (16:00) 2024
Arkholme Village Hall, Carnforth -
21 April (12:30) 2024
Glasson Dock Marina -
21 April 2024
Second Terrace at Sunderland Point, Morecambe -
The Indus
4 November 2023
Thimblemill Library,
Smethwick -
2 November 2023
Purbanat, Small Heath -
2 November 2023
St. Paul’s Church, Bordesley Green -
1 November 2023
The Springfield Project,
Sparkbrook
-
31 October 2023
Fletcher’s, Kings Heath -
30 October 2023
The Warehouse
(Friends of the Earth)
-
28 October 2023
Stirchley Baths -
The Thames
9 & 10 September 2023
1st Reading Sea Scouts Boathouse,
South Street Arts’ Sightlines Season -
7 September 2023
The Isis River Farmhouse, Oxford -
6 September 2023
Norden Farm, Maidenhead -
5 September 2023
Abingdon Abbey Buildings,
Abingdon on Thames -
The Lune
18th March 2023:
Lancaster Literature Festival
Storey Insitute, Lancaster -
The Lune & The Thames
15th October 2022:
Beside The Lune, Lancaster -
The Thames & The Volga
11th September 2021:
Cotteridge Park, Birmingham
Wonderful afternoon @CotteridgePark watching @stanscafe tell the story of the Thames and the Volga. Inspirational peformances full of charm and humour , brilliant, mind expanding writing and stunning needlework.
Liz C – Twitter
My friends and I… absolutely loved it, had lots of thoughts on what rivers to do next and insisted we invite them to whatever your next show is.
Karen S
The Thames
This was a real journey – the beautiful writing and telling let me follow in my minds eye the course of the river…Totally enchanting
Audience Member – Reading
Craig’s storytelling was impeccable
Marc C
Written and performed by Craig Stephens
Map by Vicky Roden
Directed by James Yarker
Stage Manager – Emily Davies
Photographs 1 – 4 – Rich Berry
Photographs 5-8 – Jaskirt Boora
Executive Producer (2021) – Roisin Caffrey
Administrator – Lucy Bird
2023 Tour Producer – Nick Sweeting
With thanks to:
The Friends of Cotteridge Park
Raddlebarn Primary School
Gilda Almeida & Alicia Adams at The John F Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
The Volga
Went down the Volga with @stanscafe … a perfect way to spend a Saturday, art, a lovely audience and a wonderful performance from Elexi.
Lara R – Twitter
Written by James Yarker
Performed by Elexi Walker
Map by Vicky Roden
Directed by James Yarker
Photographs by Jaskirt Boora
(except 1 & 7 by Rich Berry)
The Lune
Written by Claire Dean
Performed by Orla Cottingham
Textile Team
Lead Designer and Coordinator:
Katrina Barnish
Stitchers and Painters:
Carol Gittins
Enda O’Regan
Gina Frausin
Sian Bowes
Virginia Edwards
With contributions from – Alice Booth, Kiki Callihan, Claire Dean, Masha Gulina and much support from our friends and families.
Directed by James Yarker
Commissioned by Lancaster Arts
Photographs Rich Berry
Liz C – Twitter