NEW: Altrincham Storytelling Festival
June 20-21
Experience two days of theatre, storytelling, books, illustration, workshops, and live performance in the heart of Altrincham.
Includes Ticketed Cultural Events
in collaboration with Oyez Arts & Altrincham Town Hall
“Creativity is already there — it simply has to be revealed.”
— Alan Forrest Smith
The Alan Forrest Smith Literary Foundation
Program & Booking Info
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Program & Booking Info 🎟️
★★★★★ “A Wake-Up Call To A Sleeping Civilisation”
★★★★★ “As lyrical as it is poignant”
— Reader reviews
“The drums are beating, and the masters are meeting… ”
It is another day in the meeting room, but this meeting is no ordinary one.
A Father leaves knowing what he cannot bear to say.
A Mother pleads against what cannot be stopped.
A Son dreams of a glory claimed by more than one story.
A Leader calmly discusses the next move.
None of them stand apart from what is coming.
Each, in their own way, has accepted it, followed it, or chosen the path that leads to it.
Tense, lyrical, and deeply human, this new play examines how private choices become public consequences — and how embedded thoughts keep rising again.
Will these connected events continue to give rise to the same Bastard?
Written by Alan Forrest Smith and directed by Nigel Harvey, this powerful work presents four interconnected voices — and one inevitable consequence.
An intimate performance with limited seating
Alan Forrest Smith — Writer
Nigel Harvey — Director
Tamara Forrest-Smith — Executive Producer
Content note: Contains themes of war that some may find distressing
Recommended age: 15+
Running time: ~60 minutes, followed by a 30-minute audience panel discussion
Workshops
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Conversation
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Workshops 📚 Conversation 📚
Storytelling Through Illustration – Children’s Workshop
“To create one’s own world takes courage.” Georgia O’Keeffe.
A Visual Storytelling & Illustration Workshop for Children, Culminating in a Festival Exhibition of Their Work
With Deniz Ferhatoglu, artist and illustrator
Saturday 20 June · 12:00 - 1.15 PM
Age: 6+
Art Supplies included
Children can display their artwork throughout the festival
Parents are welcome to relax and enjoy the festival atmosphere, including the local art display and refreshments available at OYEZ Arts Café, while the workshop takes place.
This workshop will invite children to create an illustration using the word “courage” as a prompt. Through colour, line, symbolism, and composition, they will have the opportunity to push the limits of their imagination and observe the ways in which their interpretation of a concept can differ from (or be surprisingly similar to) other children’s.
In the first half of the workshop, children will:
Learn what illustration is and how it can be used to tell a story.
Explore the basic elements of simple and effective visual communication.
In the second half, children will:
Be encouraged to dig deeper within themselves and draw from events, memories, and experiences to create an illustration that tells an interesting and relatable story.
Experience mini peer critique and observe the ways in which their interpretation of a concept can differ from (or be surprisingly similar to) other children’s.
At the end of the workshop, children will have the opportunity to exhibit their artwork as part of The Altrincham Storytelling Festival — allowing their own stories and imagination to become part of the festival experience itself.
Who it’s for
This exciting workshop is for any child aged 6 or older.
About Deniz Ferhatoglu
Deniz is a self-taught illustrator based in Altrincham who has been drawing since the age of five.
After studying politics and philosophy — while continuing to sketch in the margins of serious philosophy books — she rediscovered painting while living in South Korea and Japan, where she bought her first professional watercolour paints. She has been drawing and painting ever since.
Deniz is a member of the Altrincham Society of Artists and collaborates on a range of creative projects, including illustration work for the Altrincham Storytelling Festival. Her work can be found at @_blue_maya_blue_
The Tableau Technique: Building a Story for the Stage
A practical approach to structuring performance from the first moment to the final resolution
A conversation with Nigel Harvey from Nigel Harvey Productions
Sunday 21 June · 12:00 -1.00 PM
Every piece of theatre works because of structure.
Join Nigel Harvey, a creative director, as he introduces his five-step Tableau Technique: a clear and practical way to build performance.
You Will Discover:
How to establish the fundamentals of storytelling in a theatre.
How to develop the narrative.
How to identify the characters and their motivations.
How to create tension, and how to bring the story to a climax.
Why you should identify how the characters react, and what those reactions reveal.
and how to tell the entire story that the audience understands.
And how to use The Tableau Method to uncover the creativity.
What You Will Gain:
A practical way to structure and build performance — one that supports creativity while ensuring the story remains clear, dynamic, and engaging for an audience.
Who is it for?
Simply curious, performers, directors, writers, and theatre-makers, students, if you want to enhance your storytelling in any form and want to create work that connects and holds an audience, this is for you.
Join the workshop at the Altrincham Storytelling Festival
If you want to move from ideas to a structured, working piece of theatre, this session gives you a process that brings clarity, focus, and creative momentum.
About Nigel Harvey
Nigel Harvey is an arts leader, creative producer, and director with more than 25 years of international experience across music, theatre, and education.
As founder of Nigel Harvey Music & Theatre Enterprises, he has directed and produced more than 35 major productions, ranging from London the Musical to large-scale international events including Opera in Dalarna and the Globen Christmas Concert.
Throughout his career, Nigel has worked across orchestral management, artistic direction, and education, collaborating with organisations including the London Sinfonietta, Folkoperan, the Swedish Wind Ensemble, and the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. His projects include Carmina Burana at the Tällberg Forum, a production exploring themes of climate and economic sustainability.
Alongside his production work, Nigel has led theatre-in-education programmes, mentored emerging performers, and supported young people through projects with The Salvation Army and the Shaw Trust.
His work combines creativity, leadership, and collaboration across the arts, education, and community sectors.
The Story-Publishing: From Idea to Published Work
How to turn stories, memories, and imagination into books that live forever
From idea to published work.
A conversation with Tamara Forrest-Smith of Master And Man Books, followed by Q&A
Sunday 21 June · 1:15 -2.15 PM
Everyone has a story to tell.
It might come from your life, your work, your imagination, your family history, or something you simply feel needs to be shared. But turning an idea into a real book can often feel overwhelming — and many people never know where to begin.
This informal and interactive session explores the journey from idea to published book. Drawing on real publishing experience, Tamara Forrest-Smith will talk about writing, shaping, publishing, and sharing stories that matter.
Whether you want to write fiction, memoir, poetry, children’s books, or something entirely your own, this session offers insight, encouragement, and a clearer understanding of how books are brought into the world.
Who is it for?
If you are interested in writing, publishing, storytelling, or finally beginning the book you’ve always wanted to create.
About Tamara Forrest-Smith
Tamara Forrest-Smith writes, publishes, produces, and curates a range of literary and storytelling initiatives, including Write A Book Project, Master & Man Books, The Alan Forrest Smith Literary Foundation, and Altrincham Storytelling Festival.
For more than fifteen years, Tamara has worked closely with writers and artists on publishing, editing, manuscript development, production, and bringing creative projects to life. Her work spans independent publishing, literary management, theatre, events, podcasts, and long-form storytelling.
Rooted in storytelling, creative independence, and publishing books that live forever.
Storytelling Through Animation and Film
How movement, image, colour, and silence shape powerful stories
A creative workshop and screening with Barry J. C. Purves, followed by Q&A
Sunday 21 June · 2.30 - 3.30
Join acclaimed animator and director Barry Purves for a unique session exploring how powerful stories can be told through animation and film.
Beginning with a screening of one of Barry’s short films, the session will then explore how storytelling is shaped through movement, image, colour, rhythm, and carefully chosen words.
Following the discussion, the film will be shown again — allowing audiences to experience it differently and notice the creative choices that shape emotion, meaning, and narrative.
The session concludes with an audience Q&A.
What you’ll explore
How visual storytelling creates emotional impact
The importance of rhythm, colour, and movement
Why fewer words can often say more
How animation can communicate ideas beyond live performance
The hidden layers audiences often miss on first viewing
Who is it for?
Filmmakers, animators, writers, theatre-makers, artists, students, and anyone interested in visual storytelling and the creative process.
About Barry JC Purves
Animator, Director, Writer
Barry JC Purves is an OSCAR and BAFTA-nominated animator, director, and writer whose work has earned international acclaim for its theatrical style and distinctive approach to storytelling.
Alongside his filmmaking, Barry directs and designs for theatre, writes about animation, and teaches internationally, championing the art of animation across both film and stage.
His films have received more than sixty major awards, including OSCAR and BAFTA nominations, while Lifetime Achievement honours have been presented by international festivals and universities around the world.
Theatre remains one of Barry’s great passions. He has directed and designed productions for the Garrick Playhouse in Altrincham, the Edinburgh Fringe, and pantomime productions in Peterborough.
Barry also teaches and delivers masterclasses internationally, including at the National Film and Television School and Italy’s National Film School. He is a frequent festival jury member, regularly judging and curating international screenings.
Live Art & Literary Display
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Live Art & Literary Display 🖼️
Featured Live Illustration & Artistic Response
Featuring local artists, illustration, and literary work inspired by storytelling and community.
Selected local artists will attend the performance to create live visual interpretations inspired by the production.
Featured works and sketches will also be shared through the festival socials following the event.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Take a look at the FAQ. If you have further questions, please contact us here.
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Select any event you’re interested in from the festival page: https://www.alanforrestsmith.com/altrincham
Click “Book”
Scroll down to the “Add to Cart” section
Under “Select your pass”, use the drop-down menu to choose either:
a Full Festival Pass, or
an Individual Event Ticket
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Your full festival pass gives you access to all festival events across the weekend. Once you’ve booked, we will automatically reserve your place for the sessions.
As many events have limited capacity, we simply ask that if there are any performances or workshops you know you won’t be attending, you let us know so we can offer those places to others.
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If you only wish to attend selected performances or workshops, you can book individual event tickets instead of purchasing a full festival pass. Simply add your chosen events to your cart and complete your booking that way.
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Refunds are only offered if a performance is cancelled. Due to limited availability and the intimate nature of the performances, tickets cannot be exchanged.
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Tickets cannot be resold via unauthorised third-party sellers. Tickets sold through unauthorised channels may be cancelled without refund.
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We use e-tickets, which will be delivered to your email address. Please present your ticket at the door.
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Unless otherwise stated, performances are suitable for ages 15+. Please refer to each event page for specific guidance. Childrens events are suitable for age 6 and above.
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There are no hidden fees when purchasing tickets directly via our website. Third-party agents may charge additional fees.
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The organisers reserve the right to:
Refuse admission or ask audience members to leave
Deny latecomers entry or delay entry until a suitable break
Cancel performances due to cast illness or unforeseen circumstances (liability limited to a refund or exchange)
Provide content advisories online and via email in advance of the performance
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Drinks and snacks are available at the bar, courtesy of Oyez Arts.
experience a completely unique artistic gathering in the heart of Altrincham.
Thought-provoking theatre: Feel the impact of live performance up close — in a room where every moment makes you hold your breath.
Intimate, Live storytelling: Hear stories told directly — discover new voices and perspectives.
Book, writing, Storytelling & Publishing: Discover how stories take shape — from first idea to finished book.
Children’s storytelling: A vibrant, engaging experience designed to spark imagination in younger audiences.
Illustration, film, theatre and storytelling: Watch stories unfold through drawing and visual narrative.
World-class artistic creativity experienced locally: Altrincham is brimming with creative talent. The festival peels the layers back to reveal its full artistic flair.
The most exciting cultural news in Altrincham this year: set within the intimate rooms of Altrincham Town Hall, in collaboration with Oyez Arts, the festival brings audiences and artists together to experience stories directly and collectively.
Whether you are a reader, writer, theatre-goer, or simply curious — looking to make sense of the world through story — the festival offers a rare chance to experience storytelling in its most immediate and human form.
“Creativity is already there — it simply has to be revealed.”
— Alan Forrest Smith
The Alan Forrest Smith Literary Foundation
About Alan Forrest Smith
Alan Forrest Smith was a Scottish-born British writer, filmmaker, storyteller, philosopher, and creative force based in Altrincham.
His work spanned books, film, philosophy, theatre scripts, podcasts, and long-form storytelling, always driven by curiosity, originality, and a deep belief in the power of stories to connect people and challenge perspectives.
Alan’s work continues to evolve through new creative projects and stage adaptations, including I Am Bastard I Am War.
Altrincham Storytelling Festival draws inspiration from that creative spirit — bringing together writers, filmmakers, artists, performers, and audiences through shared experiences and a love of storytelling in all its forms.
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