Danielle Free
. storyteller . writer . researcher .
Danielle is a traditional oral storyteller bringing the voices of overlooked historical women into the present, weaving together history and folklore with a contemporary twist. Her work sits at the crossroads of research and imagination, where archival fragments, oral tradition, and lived experience meet. Danielle's performances & workshops ensure these stories are no longer whispers or footnotes, but are voices that are heard, felt, and remembered.
My practice is rooted in oral tradition, cultural memory, and women's history. My research into the representation of Celtic women for my MA in Celtic Studies formed the foundation of my debut feature length historical storytelling show, The Conditions for Courage (2025).I delight in myth, magic, and folktale, and combine the the real lives of forgotten people and places with the folkloric and fantasy to create unique work for a contemporary audience of all ages.
I've trained with many well known and professional storytellers, such as Michael Harvey, Katy Cawkwell and Daniel Morden, and was awarded a place on a Mentorship Scheme hosted by storytelling production company, Adverse Camber.. I'm also the co-founder of GOSH! (Get Our Stories Heard), a peer support group for storytellers.I work with schools, libraries, museums, heritage sites, festivals, communities, and organisations to deliver performances, workshops, and participatory events that are engaging, fun and memorable. I'm an Assistant Writer for Writing West Midlands’ Spark Young Writers programme and am a prize-winning writer, with work published in various anthologies. Get in touch to book me for your own event or workshop!
Worked with & supported by:
Events
Haunted Halloween Hike
Solstice at Soulton Longbarrow
Saturday 20th December 2025
14:30 - 17:30
Soulton Long Barrow, Wem, Shrewsbury SY4 5RS, UKAs the year draws to its quiet close and the sun makes its slow descent, we gather once more at Soulton Long Barrow to honour the turning of the light.. We're joined by
Danielle Free, a storyteller and scholar of Celtic Studies, who'll bring tales that shimmer with ancient wisdom, and Elin Gittins, a luminous folk singer, who will share songs in both Welsh and English - songs that hold the ache and beauty of winter, of remembering, and returning to light.
Stiperstones Sunrise: A Magical Solstice story walk
Sunday 21st December
7:30am - 11:30am
Knolls Car Park, free parking available.Join us for a special Winter Solstice sunrise at the Stiperstones. We’ll hike to the summit for storytelling and a meditative drum journey with Danielle Free, then celebrate with Bucks Fizz, soft drinks, and mince pies before walking the ridgeline!
Past events
Winter Tales in the Library
Saturday 7th December, Shrewsbury Library, 1pm - 1:30pm
Free event, just turn up!
Folklore in the Library
Saturday 8th January 2025, Shrewsbury Library, 1pm - 1:30pm
Free event, just turn up!
The Conditions For Courage
Wednesday 9th April 2025, GEECS, University South Wales, Cardiff. 7pm - 9pm
Wild Gods
Friday 6th June 2025, Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, Castle Gates. 7pm - 9pm
Stories at Shrewsbury Summer Of Wellbeing
Tuesday 29th July, 2025 The Cut, Shrewsbury Wildlife Trust, 10am - Midday
The Conditions For Courage
Wednesday 20th August 2025, Lock91, A Sting in The Tale, Manchester, 7pm - 9pm
Oxford Storytelling Festival
Friday 5th - Sunday 9th September 2025.
The Conditions For Courage
Friday 3rd October 2025, The Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, Shrewsbury UK, 7pm - 9pm
Haunted Halloween Hike
Sunday 2nd November, 15:30 - 19:30, White Grit, Powys.
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
I bring history, folklore and wonder to life in schools! My repertoire is full of vivid myths, fairy tales, folk tales, and true stories from the past, rediscovered through my own academic research into local histories and ancient Celtic & Roman women.Whether I'm igniting curiosity about the lives of people who walked before us or sparking imagination through world wonder tales, I aim to weave stories that stay with children long after the telling.I have extensive experience working with children and young people of all different ages and abilities. I ensure every child can take part in the joy of stories!
WHAT I OFFER:
My repertoire is wide and varied, which means I can tailor sessions to suit your school. You might like a focus on:
Fantastic Folktales
Local Legends
Historical Heroes & Heroines
A bespoke session tailored to your school's curriculum
Whether you want your pupils to explore global tales, discover local folklore, or bring history alive, I'll create a storytelling experience that's just right for your school.
My sessions are:
Lively
Interactive
Playful
Educational
Guaranteed to have your pupils engaged & excited about stories & learning!
Sessions vary in length from 30 - 90 minutes per class/workshop. Longer sessions include playful activities and games inspired by storytelling, oracy and improvisation.
I'm confident I can get your class excited about history, geography, creativity and culture through fun, interactive, oracy led workshops and engaging storytelling performances!
Why Storytelling?
The benefits of oral storytelling to teach children are incredible! They include:
Boosting oracy skills: Developing confidence in speaking and listening.
Improving memory and concentration: Stories are easier to retain than facts!
Fostering creativity & imagination: Children learn to visualise, invent and empathise.
Enhancing cultural understanding: Connecting pupils with local folklore, history and global traditions and stories.
Building confidence: Encouraging all learners, including neurodiverse children, to find their voice by engaging with the interactive story & the storyteller!
Deepening engagement with curriculum subjects: History, geography and sociology come alive through narrative.
PRICING
Schools can book me for assemblies, workshops and performances for a half or full day, or for recurring events. I provide unique resource packs post event so that teachers and pupils can continue exploring the stories and skills in class after I've left.I have a basic rate approved and supported by Equity but all quotes are bespoke to your needs and budget. Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion & quote.
Shows
Here you can find the shows that I have created, or am part of. All of these are available for booking. Please contact me for more information.
The Conditions For Courage
The Conditions For Courage
Three women. Three acts of defiance. One untold history.
Celtic women are often remembered as fearless warriors and heroic leaders...but does this tell the whole story?Storyteller, Danielle Free, reclaims the lives of three remarkable European Celtic women: Chiomara, who turned her captor's arrogance into a deadly trap; Camma, a Priestess of Artemis who outwitted her husband's killer; and Eponina, who defied the Roman Empire all in the name of love. Untangling their stories from Plutarch's virtues, ancient politics and Roman propaganda, 'The Conditions For Courage' reveals the very real women behind the stereotype, women who risked everything in the face of personal adversity.
There are no fairy tale endings here.
Expect powerful, gritty stories of women who defied expectations in the name of love, loyalty, respect and revenge.History is retold. Her story is reclaimed. Courage is redefined.TW: Instances of sexual abuse, suicide, murder and genocide.Show length: Approx. 90 minutes
Suitable for: 16+(Parts of this show have been developed with the support of Storytellers, Katy Cawkwell and Angharad Wynne.)
Wild Gods
Are you ready for a wild night out with the Greek Gods?Journey deep into the chaotic worlds of Pan, the wild, panic-inducing God of nature, and Dionysus, the wine-soaked, gender non-conforming deity of festivity, ecstasy, and ritual madness.Through myth and mischief, revelry and raw power, Danielle and storyteller, Marcus Pibworth, will lead you on an unforgettable storytelling adventure into divine disorder.Expect storytelling that’s bold, immersive, and just a little bit unhinged — in the best way possible.Contains: Adult humour
Duration: 90 minutes
Suitable For: 16+
REVIEWS
"Loved the evening, relaxed, fun and engaging. So special to sit and be told stories as an adult! I loved the detail and expressiveness in the tales.""Wonderful night filled with two great story tellers. Both Marcus and Danielle never faltered and have a great ability to hold attention and have great skills with their humour too. Amazing night!""Lovely evening, intimate and immersive, at the end of a very stressful week it reminded me of the eternal story we are part of."
For booking and/or more information, please get in touch with me via my 'Contact' page.
SPOKEN STORIES
Budding Bards, 7-11 yr olds
Welshpool Library: Mondays 23rd Feb - 30th March, 4-5pm
Llanfyllin Library: Tuesdays 24th Feb - 31st March, 4-5pm
Thanks to the generous funding by Powys County Council, under the Warm Spaces Scheme, these weekly sessions will be free for children to attend.
**Booking is still required due to limited capacity! A separate booking form is required for each child.
A fun, engaging oral storytelling club designed to build confidence, courage, and oracy skills in children through the magical art of spoken stories!Each session lasts one hour, beginning with an immersive & interactive story told by Danielle; a rich and vivid tale drawn from the world of myths & wondertales or the lands of fairy & folktales. After listening, children will take part in playful, physical activities & games inspired by improvisation, oracy and storytelling techniques.Through repetition, group retelling, and creative exploration, children are gently encouraged to find their voice, grow in confidence, and begin to shape and share stories of their own.Each week we'll work with a new theme & storytelling technique and by the end of the term the children will have learnt some new traditional tales to tell & perform. Throughout, Danielle will always prioritise imagination, participation, and fun!This group is perfect for children who are struggling with reading & writing, as storytelling blurs these worlds. These groups are also brilliant for budding storytellers, confident performers, and even quiet thinkers who don't feel they have much to say. Our hope is that by December, the children will feel confident in finding their voice & will have a desire to find and tell stories!Spoken Stories supports children in developing essential communication skills while having a whole lot of fun in the world of the imaginary!
All sessions are drop-off only. Parents will not be allowed to stay for the duration of the class. You are invited & encouraged to use the library services and space.
