Everyone likes a good story, and children are no exception, whether at school, at a library or at home with the family. Don’s Magical Story-telling Show is an exciting mixture of narrative, music, magic, mime and interaction. The stories are from all round the world: China, Britain, Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Italy, Greece and Australia. Don is renowned for having his audience on the edge of their seats, be they pre-schoolers or middle to upper school. He has told stories at schools, libraries and festivals since the early 1980s.

Four years touring with Theatre In Education companies (National TIE 1980/81, Salamanca TIE '84 and Barking Gecko '94) have helped Don hone his skills in this arena. He also has a great sensitivity to children’s needs.

Some of Don’s stories include: How The Mosquito Got It’s Noise (an Indonesian creation myth); The Sorceress, an Italian version of Medusa; The Three Sillies, an old English story about family values, marriage and stupidity; and Theseus and the Minotaur. Recently, Don has produced a show for upper primary and lower high school called Tales Of The Sea, based on Western Australian maritime history.

Says Don:
“I realised very early on that performance for children has to be more than just colour and movement. And the children’s affect on the story must be a lot more than the old ‘He’s behind you!’. I like to involve children by either making things (to take on a fantasy journey) or allowing them to add music, chants, or even plot lines.”