A native American storyteller is joining a variety of other artists from the USA and Yorkshire for a unique performance in York over the next few days.
Laughing Fox, Michael Charette, is from the Ojibwe tribe in Wisconsin.
The productions at Holy Trinity Church and the Mansion House are a collaboration between Kristen Sandstrom and York based Baz Jones, best known for the Walls Festival.
The stories are set in different locations and cover from 1799 to 1942.
Baz says they tell tales of people we rarely hear from, who lived on both sides of the atlantic:
“It’s an incredible privilege to work with such talented creatives from both York and the USA, and then to bring this to the people of York in partnership with wonderful heritage buildings such as York Mansion House and Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate.
‘The Tales of Laughing Fox’ at Holy Trinity is a unique cultural event not to be missed, and will take place in an incredible historical building, illuminated by hundreds of candles.
‘Ye Wretched Strangers Storybook’ is an evening of tales set in different rooms at the magnificent Mansion House, that span Christmas Eve 1799, right up to war time York in 1942, and the anniversary of the Baedeker Raid eighty years ago.”
Co-directors of ‘Ye Wretched Strangers’, Baz Jones and Kristen Sandstrom met during the autumn of 1995 at York St John University. Kristen was studying as part of an exchange program with Ripon College, Wisconsin, USA, and Baz was studying a BA in Film, Theatre, Television and Literature.
Their friendship blossomed and has maintained and strengthened over the past 27 years.
Baz returned to York in 2019 after twenty-or-so years in London and is currently director of The York Walls Festival and runs ‘Movie-Makers’ in York – film courses and workshops for young people.
Kristen lives in Bayfield, Wisconsin and is a frequent visitor to Britain and her home-from-home York
They both want to make art that will unite rather than divide and hopefully create calls to action for change. They hope to do all of this while entertaining an audience with engaging international storytelling.
The idea of ‘Ye Company of Wretched Strangers’ was born in 2019 following a conversation about the little-known play ‘Sir Thomas More’, apparently written by four different playwrights in the 17th century, one of the ‘hands’ supposedly belongs to William Shakespeare. In the play there is a riot surrounding the issue of refugees in London, and More delivers a powerful monologue (written by Shakespeare?) in defence of human rights that includes the phrase ‘wretched strangers’.
‘Ye Company of Wretched Strangers’ are therefore delighted to announce two productions in York this week, in partnership with York Mansion House and Holy Trinity Church Goodramgate (managed by The Churches Conservation Trust).
Travelling to York with Kristen is a small group of performers ready to share their stories; none more eager than Michael ‘Laughing Fox’ Charette. Michael is a member of the Red Cliff Band of the Ojibwe tribe in Northern Wisconsin on Lake Superior. Michael is a true artist in his own right, and constructs many of the Native wooden flutes he plays, is a maker of dreamcatchers and other Native arts, and is an accomplished performer and storyteller. Through his words and music, Michael will share a variety of traditional Anishinaabe tales at the two events.
The overarching goal of this group is to shed light on the stories of frequently under-represented groups, including women’s struggles during the 19th and early 20th centuries, the awe-inspiring roles of women during the Second World War, and of course the many struggles of the indigenous peoples of North America. The stories being performed take a closer look at current and historical issues around the world, asking the audience to look at things through a different lens, exploring our cultural commonalities and embracing our differences.
Co-director Kristen Sandstrom:
“While I am excited for this entire project to finally come to fruition; I think I am most excited for our audiences here to experience the authentic music and stories from Laughing Fox. The Anishinaabe people’s traditional tales are beautiful, poignant, and even funny from time to time!”
“Baz and I have been brainstorming this idea for a few years now. I am thrilled and even honoured that the Mansion House and the community of York are welcoming us with such open arms. These stories that we have created have heart and meaning that should be relatable to practically anyone.”
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‘The Tales of Laughing Fox’ at Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York
Wednesday November 16th, doors open at 19:15
An hour of Native American tales and music performed by Laughing Fox from the Ojibwe Tribe, Wisconsin, United States
Tickets on sale via the York Theatre Royal website:
‘Ye Wretched Strangers Storybook’ at York Mansion House, St Helen’s Square, York
Thursday November 17th, 18th and 19th, doors open at 19:15
An evening of British, Native and American Stories; set between 1799 and 1942.
Tickets on sale via the York Theatre Royal website: