Tattle and Tales Review

Joyful afternoon of storytelling that ended far too soon.

Midlands Fringe is back for its second year and Cath Edwards got the festival ball rolling with her wonderful storytelling of Shakespeare: Tattle and Tales. Hosted in the marvellous setting of K Teas Cakes, a Friday afternoon audience relaxed with a cake and a cuppa (other refreshments available) and were immersed in the 16th Century Warwickshire of Shakespeare and the Clopton family.

From the legend of Shakespeare’s Crab (apple tree) – a youthful Bard’s night out with friends that ended up featured on a map of the area – to the tragedies that befell the women of Clopton House, and which may have inspired scenes in Shakespeare plays, Walsall writer and storyteller Cath entertained us with them all. 

Fearlessly, she referred to “The Scottish Play” by its given title (Macbeth) in a section that name-dropped both Olivier and Gielgud. 

And even more fearlessly, she invited audience participation. Could we tell our Shakespeare from our Dolly Parton? Oh yes, we could.

But this was no pantomime, this was a joyful afternoon of storytelling that ended far too soon.