Thursday 1st until Saturday 3rd October 2009 @ Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol

Storytelling is not just for kids; nor does it start with ‘once upon a time’ or end with a ‘happily ever after’. In the hands of The Devil’s Violin company, storytelling comes alive and is cracking, high-quality entertainment for adults and youngsters alike. This unique consort of violin, cello, accordion and vocalists invoke devils and violins to bring the folk story back to the disturbing fantasy found in Grimm. To place it in a more modern context, their act is perhaps the Angela Carter of storytelling and, in the same fashion, the audience respond with noticeably surprised enjoyment.

We begin with a rather Slavic folk trio and wonder what on earth we have come to, but when this fuses with a very normal (as opposed to stereotypical children’s party hippie) storyteller, a fantastic interplay strikes up between words and music that renders traditional folk tales into what are effectively one-man radio plays with live accompaniment. The narrative style used by Daniel Morden is startling without being over-the-top; his voice creeps up from friendly, familiar introduction to tap you hard on the shoulder with a line like; “There is no life without death.” This brings a wonderful humanity to proceedings and Morden is also blessed with the capacity to embody the many different voices required to act out all family members in a fairytale without sounding ridiculous or as if he is trying too hard.

At times it seems bizarre to be sitting in a formal theatre atmosphere watching this piece of literary and musical performing art, when the act is perhaps more suited to festivals, but in fact this is rather refreshing. The violinist and storyteller met in a pub and perhaps this is why they are so relaxed together and, as they are happy to relate, will play village halls as happily as the newly reopened Bristol Old Vic. This versatility reflects the diverse appeal this quartet possesses. The surreal whispering effect they create to raise the hairs on the backs of our necks hushes us into excited anticipation repeatedly but Morden’s command of the stage never fails to bring us back to the harsh realities of life, love and death. No bedtime story club performance this, but intriguing, engaging and even better than Mum used to tell ‘em.

www.thedevilsviolin.co.uk

Katy Austin