Audio selections from the Storyman's CD catalog.
More info...
Home
Storytelling Programs
US and Texas History
Beowulf Retold, Chaucer Tales and More
Irish Sagas and Folk Tales
Ghost Stories
Special Programs
School Programs
Scouting Programs
Bookings and Inquiries
Testimonials
Fee Guide
The Storyman on CD
Contact
LINKS
» BLOG
» Find me on Facebook
» Beowulf Retold on Youtube
» Society Life Article (p.42)
Medieval Literary Tales and Sagas Program
Literary Tales & Sagas:
Beowulf Retold
Beowulf is an archaic and challenging poem that the
general populace finds difficult to understand or grasp. But then
it was never meant for modern day ears &mdash written in Old English
in the Alliterative style, it presents a challenge to any who try to
reconcile it.
Master storyteller Gary Whitaker has re-written Beowulf in his own
unique storytelling style renaming it Beowulf
Retold. He spent two years developing this dynamic script
which captures the sound and feel of the original but in modern day
language.
The Beowulf Retold Program is a literal retelling
of the first part of the story which deals with the attacks on
Hrothgar's Hall, Herot and Beowulf's battle with Grendel.
The late professor Joseph Roesch (holding a doctorate in Medieval
English Literature) declares in his review of Tales of Ancient
Warriors:
"Your delivery of Beowulf perfectly captures the
dark and grim tone, that quality of sheer terror that makes this
ancient poem more genuinely exciting than any other in our
language...No mere reading of the text of Beowulf, either in the
original or in translation, can achieve that effect the way your
oral interpretation does."
Beowulf Retold is a 40 minute program designed for
use in schools and festivals. Bring Beowulf to life for a modern day
audience through the artistry of master storyteller Gary Whitaker
as he dramatically performs this ancient hero tale.
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
This is a 40 minute program in which Mr. Whitaker brings to life a few of these exciting literary tales from the hand of Chaucer, such as
The Knights Tale of Chivalry and Rivalry and The Wife of Bath and What Women Most Desire to name a few. Mr. Whitaker
will also discuss why this material is important and how it relates to our modern day world.
The Canterbury tales are great examples of
moral storytelling which also reveals beliefs of their day in which they were conceived. Mr. Whitaker brings these characters and stories
to life and gives their conflicts a moral depth. This program is applicable to Middle school and up.
Sigurd the Dragon Slayer
A 40 minute program based on the ancient Viking tale called the Volsung Saga. This saga has influence many of our fantasy authors of the
past, this interesting and difficult piece introduces us to the magic ring and sword, to mythical characters who had superhuman powers and
curses that changed people into monsters.
This saga influence JRR Tolkien heavily as did Beowulf. Mr. Whitaker will also discuss why this
material is important and how it relates to our modern day world. This program is applicable to Middle school and up. If you wish, you
can listen to the introduction of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer on the player at the top of the website.
Arthurian Tales:
The Death of King Arthur (40 minute program)
A 40 minute program for middle school and up, based on Mallory's version of Le Morte de Arthur,
this story describes the events that lead to the final battle with Mordred and the death of King Arthur. This is an emotional presentation
that vividly brings to life Mallory's vision of Arthur. Mr. Whitaker will also discuss why this material is important and how it
relates to our modern day world. If you wish, you can listen to a portion of The Death of King Arthur on the player at the top of the
website. You will find the story on the CD, Tales of Ancient Warriors.
