BRISBANE ANYWHERE FESTIVAL MEDIA RELEASE

 

Ancestral Tales of Daring, Difficult Women in ‘The Woods’

 

Gather deep in ‘The Woods’ in Mitchelton, Brisbane~Magandjin to hear ancient folktales before they were tamed, as a part of The Brisbane Anywhere Festival. Meet the feisty, French forbear of Red Riding Hood, dauntless Janet who must rescue her true love Tamlin, and other daring and ‘difficult’ women. But parents, please leave the children at home. The folktale versions in ‘ReWilding Red Riding Hood: Ancestral Tales of Daring, Difficult Women’ are definitely not for young ears!

You may well know the story of Red Riding Hood. But you may not have heard the much wilder, French version, ‘L’histoire de la Grand-mère’? In that more ancient tale, the heroine is not a girl, but a young woman. The predator is not a wolf, but a shapeshifting werewolf, who first presents as a charming, handsome man. The plot includes an enchanted striptease, a spot of accidental cannibalism, a daring escape and a pursuit through the forest across a dangerous river. Rather than needing to be rescued by a woodcutter (and ending the Grimms added), the daring young woman uses her wits to make her getaway and in the final chase scene, is aided by three washer women and the forces of nature.

Your tale spinner will be Jenni Cargill-Strong, a nationally recognised storyteller, recently returned to Magandjin~Brisbane after a 30 year absence and now resettled in Mitchelton. Jenni tells her stories eye-to-eye and heart-to-heart, engaging listeners with her warm, expressive style. She has five award-winning story albums and has taught storytelling to children, adults and university students.

The performance is a part of the delightful and quirky Brisbane Anywhere Festival and will be held in The Bothy Bar- an intimate, atmospheric space within ‘The Woods Neighbourhood Bar’ in Blackwood St, Mitchelton. They serve great food and beverages,
featuring a rotation of boutique beers and modern pub fare. Jenni is delighted to have found the perfect venue for an hour of stories in her new stomping ground.

‘ReWilding Red Riding Hood: Ancestral Tales of Daring, Difficult Women’ opens Sunday, 17th May. Seats are limited. Be daring! Commit early and book your tickets now.

BOOKINGS: https://anywhere.is/event/rewilding-red-riding-hood/

 

 

END PRESS RELEASE

FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/847272808178424

To read more about the ancient French version of Red Riding Hood, read my blog post here.

PAINTING: Gustave Doré Little Red Riding Hood c. 1862. National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Gift of Mrs S. Horne, 1962. Image courtesy NGV, Melbourne.