Cheshire storyteller takes children on special journey

Dec 16 2008 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

A CHESHIRE storyteller is inspiring young children to act.

Johnny Gillett, aka The Journeyman, has started a theatre company for eight to 14 year olds in Bunbury.

The Journeyman Theatre company meets at the Scout Hut on Bunbury Lane on Tuesday evenings and is aimed at two age groups: a junior group for eight to 11 years old and a senior group for 11 - 14 year olds.

Johnny explains the rationale behind the project: “There is an awful lot of work being done to promote musical theatre. The X Factor and other talent shows like I’d Do Anything have done a lot for this particular aspect of performance.

“I offer something completely different. I encourage the students to be creative and to communicate and to develop their own work.”

Johnny, 39, travelled all over the world with his storytelling and has experience in Indian classical dance, shadow puppetry and Chinese opera. He moved back to the UK in 2004 and settled in Bunbury with his wife and two children when he took up a post as a parish youth worker.

“I want my drama students to become more confident and broaden their horizons,” he said.

His plans for the future of the theatre group include an Asian/African fusion dancer and a visit from Indigo Moon Theatre, Indonesian puppeteers.

For more information about The Journeyman Theatre contact Johnny Gillett on 01829-260680 or email johnny@thejourneyman.org.uk. The new term starts on Tuesday, January 13.