Storyteller, Storytellers, Storytelling, Story, Stories, Yarn, Yarns, Tale, Tales

Peter Optical Storyteller

www.the-storyteller.co.uk

Storytelling, the ancient art of all nations for all ages.

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 9th Annual National Storytelling Week
31st January – 7th February 2009
 
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 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.
           
Peter Optical Story Teller and Childrens Entertainer

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 Storyteller, writer, director and workshop leader; Peter has over 35 years experience associated with Theatre & Theatre in Education and associated arts at home and abroad and has had work performed on stage and radio.

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. Raleigh. 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

Peter Optical has recently devised two new programmes for primary schools.

Magic Scarecrow
"Magic Scarecrow" is a fully costumed, self contained, Theatrical Storytelling Show for children of infant and junior school age. With the aid of audience participation Joe the magical Scarecrow comes to life to relate stories as told to him by the birds and other creatures of the countryside who have befriended him

"Sight and Sound"
"Enrich your pupils’ musical knowledge and experience.....
from Crumphorn to Squeeze box and more besides".
 
A Small Collection of Musical Instruments

Small selection of  the instruments Peter Optical demonstrates in his schools Sight and Sound
as well as some of those used when storytelling programme


ALSO available

Tales of the Old TownChildrens Story Parties



Interactive Guided History Tours Eastbury Manor House

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

St Clements Church Guided Tours for Schools

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.
Telephone; 01702715882
Mobile ; 07947536634
e-mail;
peteroptical@circusoptical.co.uk
www.peteroptical.co.uk
www.the-storyteller.co.uk

Now taking bookings for the 9th Annual National Storytelling Week
31st January – 7th February 2009
 

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.

Please note that such confirmations are legally binding.

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)