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Peter Optical as The
Storyteller weaves
a story with a storytelling skill that appeals to
all ages. These stories are often interwoven with magic,
music and song.
Now taking bookings for the National
Storytelling Week
2010
By linking together his energetic and expressive delivery
of stories with an uncomplicated approach Peter’s
unique storytelling performances offer an entertaining
and thought provoking storytelling experience.
All stories are told not read, never scripted, never the
same twice therefore in their telling they are always spontaneous
and vibrant.
Peter`s storytelling is adaptable to venues
large and small, whether in schools, libraries, art and
community centres, shopping malls, places of worship, woods
or meadows Peter's storytelling performances are
designed in length and style to suite adults and children
alike.
Storytelling in Schools
Inviting a professional storyteller into school creates a special atmosphere
providing excitement and stimulation. Peter Optical is
no exception and is always in great demand for his storytelling
especially during National Storytelling Week in February
and National Children’s Book Week in the autumn.
Some other benefits of using storytelling in the classroom.
- Storytelling promotes a feeling of well being and
relaxation
- Increases children's willingness to communicate thoughts
and feelings
- Encourages active participation
- Storytelling increases verbal proficiency
- Encourages use of imagination and creativity
- Encourages cooperation between students
- Storytelling enhances listening skills
When storytelling in schools Peter is
always happy to tell stories to children of Reception
age but suggests their sessions are in the early part
of a morning so that they can fully enjoy the storytelling
experience.
As a general rule the length of Storytelling sessions in schools is as follows
Reception, 20min each class/group
Infant 30min each class/group
Junior 45 min each class/group
Senior 1 hour.
Peter will move from class room to class
room telling stories if required but prefers, if possible,
groups to come to him at a set quiet location.
Peter is one of a few professional Essex
storytellers who not only takes storytelling into schools
within the Essex County but takes his storytelling skills
to schools, libraries and other venues in many other
counties also.
As a professional Storyteller, writer, director
and workshop leader; Peter has over 35 years professional experience
associated with Theatre & Theatre in Education and
associated arts at home and abroad and has had work
performed on stage and radio.
The storytelling was beautifully done - kept
even the younger children (and adults) engrossed.
Jonathan
Wicks
Audience Development Officer, Libraries,
Essex County Council.
We have had visits from Storytellers in the past, but
none who have compared to your high standard.
Both staff
and pupils were inspired to attempt oral storytelling themselves.
We
will certainly be inviting you back again.
Literacy Co-ordinator
Leigh North Street Junior School
He was a source of
tremendous stimulation with regard to language development
and topic work. In all, a polished professional performer,
whom I would highly recommend."
Grove County Infants School
"He held them spellbound for for almost
an hour. He involved the children wherever possible and
we were most impressed and delighted with his performance."
Hamstel Infant School
Peter Optical’s enthusiasm for story
is infectious. He cannot help but transfix his audience
until the final syllable has been spoken.
Children and teachers alike are lost in Peter's storytelling,
being a perfect springboard for future language development
and stimulus for continued reading.
Porters Grange Primary School and Nursery
Dale R Frith MA DipEd
Thank you so much you were fantastic we
had a great day and have some fantastic photos of you.
You really set the ambiance and I would really recommend
you without hesitation.
Our Lady of Ransom School. Rayleigh.
Essex.
The Tudor music and dancing session in the afternoon was
fantastic. All the children enjoyed this session but our
more disabled children got a tremendous amount out of it.
We could see their involvement and their eyes sparkling
throughout.
Thank you again for an excellent day.
‘Trinity’ special
school, Dagenham, Essex
Just wanted to pass on a big thank you for your work with
our children on Monday. They loved the stories and the
instruments but I have to say that the tricks and the juggling
was my class's favourite!!
Hillingdon Primary School
"Sight and Sound"
"Enrich your pupils’ musical knowledge
and experience.....
from Crumhorn to Squeeze box and more besides".
Small selection of the
instruments Peter Optical demonstrates in his schools Sight
and Sound
as well as some of those used when storytelling
programme
Tales and More from the Shore
Based on yarns that span generations of families living beside a small creek in the Thames estuary.
Stories of sailors and smugglers. Stories of witches, heroes and the stories of ordinary folk, All linked together with music, poetry and song.
Ideal for schools and community groups.
You pitched the stories and delivery perfectly; it was just
what we wanted and a brilliant start to our book week.
Literacy Co-ordinator, Leigh Junior School
Thank you once again Peter for the splendid day you
gave us for our Tudor Day at Eastbury Manor House, Barking
Essex.. You led the sessions in an entertaining
and interesting way, so all of the children gained a
tremendous amount from the day. What impressed the staff
most, however, was the way you engaged individually with
every one of the children during the day. They really
benefited from that care and respect you showed them.
‘Trinity’ special school,
Dagenham, Essex. Nov 2006
Storytelling at St Clement’s Church
Thank you ever so much for such an entertaining tour
and making our visit so special
St Michael's School.
I really admired your stories, especially
'The Colours in the World'
Glebe Junior School
www.stclementschurch.org.uk
Peter Optical has over 35 years experience
in Theatre and the associated arts at home and abroad and
has had work performed on stage and radio.
Equity Member/Public Liability Insurance/Standard & Enhanced
CRB disclosure Certificates.
Now taking bookings for the National
Storytelling Week
2010
Based in Essex, as a professional storyteller Peter has
and is willing to travel to the following counties also:-
1. Bedfordshire (Bedford, Luton, Dunstable,
Leighton Buzzard, Biggleswade, Sandy)
2. Berkshire (Reading, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Newbury,
Windsor, Wokingham)
3. Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Slough, Buckingham,
High Wycombe)
4. Cambridgeshire (Cambridge, Wisbech, Ely, March, Whittlesey,
Chatteris, Linton)
5. Essex (Chelmsford, Basildon, Romford, Southend, Colchester,
Harlow, Brentwood, West Ham)
6. Greater London.
7. Hertfordshire (Hertford, Watford, St. Albans, Hemel
Hempstead, Stevenage, Hatfield)
8. Kent (Maidstone, Canterbury, Bromley, Rochester, Margate,
Folkestone, Dover, Greenwich)
9. Middlesex (City of London, Harrow, Enfield, Staines,
Ealing, Potters Bar, Westminster).
10. Norfolk (Norwich, Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn, Dereham,
Cromer, Hunstanton)
11. Suffolk (Ipswich, Bury St. Edmunds, Lowestoft, Felixstowe,
Sudbury, Haverhill, Bungay)
12. Surrey (Guildford, Croydon, Woking, Sutton, Kingston-on-Thames,
Wimbledon,)
13. Sussex (Chichester, Brighton, Worthing, Crawley, Hastings,
Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Horsham)
In all cases Clients will be requested to confirm bookings
by letter, e-mail or formal contract.
To comply with the new Government directive, ‘Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform’ Peter wishes it to be known that the
many stories he tells are of a fictional nature. However,
it is said, "There is always a little bit of truth
in every story " (from a story kindly given
to him in May 1996 by Israeli Storyteller Sharon Aviv) |
