Moor Performers
The other day I was invited to take some photographs of the Dartmoor based Storytelling group “Moor Performers” 😍
A motley looking bunch if I ever saw one!
“Like minded moor folk with a love of all things mystical, magickal and mysterious. Tellers of tales inspired by the majesty of Dartmoor. Tall Tales of the stories heard hereabouts, yarns spun from creative minds connecting the soil and the skies.”
Unfortunately the pandemic has perpetually put paid to their continued efforts to host the groups first production at St Mary's Church in Throwleigh on the edge of Dartmoor, though it now looks likely this will now take place later this year!
Keep an eye on the performance dates on their Facebook Page
A mixture of personalities and storytelling styles makes for an exciting and multi faceted experience. Something for everybody.
Originally the group was much larger, however, as with many productions, covid has provided complications on personal levels and now with a reduced company they are striding forward.
Jo Richmond Coggan - Director
Jo’s mother was an amateur actress so it wasn’t surprising when Jo caught the bug for performing at a young age 😍
Jo is heavily involved in numerous local creative groups.
South Zeal Players, singing with Moor Harmony and has performed in many previous Throwleigh productions at the village hall.
She takes part in many Bristol Theatre groups and has previously performed at The Theatre Royal, Bath and The Bristol Old Vic.
Merrick Durling
Merrick has been storytelling professionally for over 20 years, and previously worked for Jim Henson's Creature Workshop.
A qualified teacher and talented artist.
Merrick has long been involved in storytelling, theatre, roleplay and art and crafts. Using his numerous talents to develop the storytelling experience both in primary and secondary children, facilitating children’s confidence and storytelling skills.
Merrick has run clubs in and out of his schools and helped direct children to organise and run them in other schools.
Nikki Murphy
Nikki studied Drama and then Theatre Studies at school. She was involved with the RSC's Antigone's project in association with Kneehigh and Cornwall Youth Theatre.
Nikki also spent time in the prop shop of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
She moved to Ireland and began singing and playing folk music, busking and in pubs.
She has also worked as a storyteller in Cornwall.
Paul Murphy
Paul Murphy studied Scandinavian History in Norway and Sweden where he learned Old English and developed a life long interest in Norse Mythology and ancient cultures.
(this isn’t the best photo of him!)
Paul is an excellent writer and comedian.
Through his participation in Moor Performers he has become increasingly interested in the myths and legends of Dartmoor.
The group were all drawn to the idea of performing storytelling about the myths and legends of Dartmoor.
When they realised that so many had been already used in productions all over the Moor, they decided to write their our own tales based around legends or from original material.
All inspired by Dartmoor.
Moor Performers