Danielle Free
One day, while wrapped in gorse and cold air on top of an ancient hillfort in Shropshire, a key fell from the sky and landed in Danielle's ear. "Remember" it whispered, and it turned. Clunk. All the voices of those long passed started seeping through the damp grass, and the longer Danielle listened, the more the noise became a song. A beautiful song sung by all the people the world has ever held. In that moment, Danielle's world was never the same again.
. storyteller . writer . researcher .
Danielle is a traditional oral storyteller devoted to uncovering the voices of lesser-known historical women, breathing life into their stories, and weaving them into the present. Her research and performances celebrate the courage and complexity of these figures, ensuring their legacies are no longer whispers but resounding echoes.With an MA in Celtic Studies, Danielle’s fascination with oral tradition and Celtic history runs deep. Her dissertation on the representation of Celtic women laid the foundation for her first major show, 'The Conditions for Courage (2025)', which spotlights the bravery and resilience of women throughout history. While she adores whimsical myths and enchanting folktales, it is the voices of forgotten historical women that call to her most strongly, urging her to give them their place in the narrative once more.As well as her Masters, Danielle also has a BA Hons in English Literature and Media Studies. She's an Assistant Writer for Spark Young Writers (Writing West Midlands) and is a prize winning writer - her short story, A Jacket Full of Pockets, won the 'Birmingham City University Future Writers presents Benjamin Zephaniah' competition. Danielle's flash fiction, short stories and poetry have also been published in various anthologies.
Danielle has trained with many well known and professional storytellers, such as Michael Harvey, Angharad Wynne, Katy Cawkwell and Ben Haggarty. She was also awarded a place on a Mentorship Scheme hosted by storytelling production company, Adverse Camber.Though, Danielle believes her greatest teachers are her audience: whether that's a library full of children, a curious crowd of festival fellows, a houseful of friends, or of course the crows, hawthorn, stream sprites and grassy goblins of the land.Danielle has a collection of stories of the women who once spun wool, wielded weapons, sang poetry to their enemies, loved deeply, shapeshifted, defied societal norms, found bravery when there was little left, rode goats instead of horses, lied for their sisters, were collectively cunning, united communities, screeched at the seas and danced under the mistletoe.
These stories are all true.
Events
OXFORD STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Friday 5th - Sunday 7th SeptemberDanielle will be performing at Oxford Storytelling Festival this year, performing 'Wild Gods' with storyteller, Marcus Pibworth, and her own show 'The Conditions For Courage'.Use the code: DanielleOSF25 to get 10% off any tier 2 tickets!
The Conditions For Courage
Friday 3rd October
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Doors open at 7pm
WHERE: The Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, 5 Castle Gates, Shrewsbury SY1 2AE
The Coffeehouse is a licensed bar and will be selling wonderful boozy drinks, hot teas & coffee, and will have tasty snacks for you to delight in!EXTRA INFO: There's plenty of space to park in town but the easiest option would be to park at Frankwell Riverside car park which is free after 6pm, walk across the bridge and head left towards the train station where the Coffeehouse is near enough opposite.
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
EDUCATION
Danielle uses her experience within academia to research and rediscover the true stories of people of our past - our ancient ancestors. These stories are perfect within an educational setting and can be adapted to suit audiences from age 5 to 18+.Half and full day workshops and storytelling performances are available and can suit your needs. Danielle promises to get your class excited about history, geography and sociology using storytelling and fun, interactive & engaging exercises and activities. Danielle has plenty of experience working with children in educational environments.
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+
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
It's not drama. It's not reading. It's the art of speaking stories. It builds brave, brilliant voices.
FREE TRIAL SESSION FRIDAY 29TH AUGUST!
'Little Voices' (5-8 y/o) 5:30pm - 6:30pm &
'Mighty Mouths' (9-12 y/o) 7pm - 8pm!This is a drop off session - parents will leave their child(ren) promptly at the start time and collect them again at the end of the class!
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.
FREE Weekly classes:
Every Tuesday from 16th September until 16th December!
Thanks to the generous funding by Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Library under the Warm Spaces Scheme, these weekly sessions will be free for children to attend.
Booking is still required due to limited capacity!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!
PS: We're taking a half term break and there'll be no session on Tuesday 28th October.PPS:A seperate booking form is required for each child attending.PPPS: All sessions are drop-off only. Parents will not be allowed to stay for the duration of the class.