Visual Storytelling

I work with 2 forms of visual storytelling where image is an intrinsic part of the storytelling performance. These are a Japanese picture story form called Kamishibai, which translates as paper-theatre, which sometimes uses a theatre box on the back of a bicycle. The other is Crankies where the story is visually portrayed on a moving scroll and literally ‘cranked’ to make the scroll move along.

Both Crankies and Kamishibai are part of the story of early cinema in their different ways. You can find out more about them below.

Isabella’s Story Bicycle – this is an important page, that needs various images, quotes, places performed, info pack downloadable, links to social media – and a promo film once done

Take text from info pack about this – it’s all in there. See shortcut

About info

Practical stuff – booking info

Gallery as have some great images

Street storytelling, outdoor arts story show

Ting-a-ling-a-ling, my buttons! 

Isabella Necessity loves to share stories from her incredible bicycling adventures in the wilds of the world. She has outwitted mountain trolls, seen a cat play the fiddle and ridden a pixy horse across Dartmoor. When the doors of her story box open wide she will whisk you away to another world with wondrous tales of bravery and magic from her travels.

From the oak woods of the west-country to the rainforests of Brazil, Isabella’s earthy charm will put a skip in your step and hope in your heart

With engaging storytelling, quirky puppets and gorgeous hand-drawn illustrations, expect moments of magic, oodles of fun and a fine tale told.

Kamishibai – about K and my work with it, including workshops

In info pack. Important to add about kamishibai workshops in Performing K, designing images for K, visual story making with K

GIve Talks and shows

Been featured in K festival of Mexico, Chile and performed in Tokyo Storytellers Assoc. Thanks to funding from Sasakawa Foundation.

Crankies – my journey, work so far and involvement in the international Crankie world.

In recent years I’ve been exploring the world of crankies. I love performing kamishibai with the Story Bicycle and with the help of a Develop Your Creative Practice Grant from ACE in 20.. I wanted to widen the scope of my visual storytelling and do more of my own art making.

I trained with mentors Wendy Dacre and Peter Stevenson and began to create and perform my own crankies. My favourite puppet maker Sarah Vigars made me a unique Crankie-Kamishibai box that I use as an alternative to Isabella and the Story Bicycle when I want to tell stories outside of that character. Check it out! Link to CK box reel

Part of the growing UK Crankie family, I’ve performed at International Crankie Fest in Devon, Holland and Wales. Everyone is welcome – get in touch if you’d like to be linked in.

Wendy and I are partners in cranking and have led workshops and performed together. Along with Bronia Evers we perform –

Joy Scrolling with Sara, Wendy and Bronia

Scrolls of Wonder & Boxes of Delight – Sara and Wendy

With fellow artists Monica-Shanta and Cara Roxanne we made animations at Exeter Quay using a large moving panorama crankie Link here

Bespoke workshops and performances are available.

Key words

Kamishibai uk

Crankies

Outdoor Arts

Street Storytelling