Review: Bristol Storytelling Festival at St. John’s Crypt

The Bristol Storytelling Festival kicked off this weekend with some suitably scary tales told in the cold depths of St. John’s Crypt.

The line up included some of Bristol’s best toddler entertainers now chilling the hearts of adults.

Chris Brown from Mr Brown’s Pig, did what he does best, rousing the audience with his spirited telling of the Ghost of the Bleeding Finger.

Paula Brown from North Bristol’s Tatty Bumpkin had the rather heart warming story of the dead corpse bride, who managed to find peace after accidentally marrying a drunk man on his stag do.

A fantastic tale of woe from Michael Loader left the audience yearning for more. Though quite how the chilling screams of “Help Me” echoing out of a crypt for the dead practically opposite Bristol’s biggest police station escaped the notice of the boys in blue is unnerving.

And we loved Rebecca Smart’s heroic tale of the miller’s daughter, who single handedly dispatched a family of murderous con men.

The atmosphere was kept alive with the fantastically addictive acoustic folk of Baba Yaga’s Consort.

The storytelling festival continues with a week long programme of events. For more information, visit:  www.bristolstoryfest.co.uk/home.htm