The art of Oral Story Telling is a very powerful medium. The energy of the story builds as it is being told, and it has the power to transport you into the realm of the imagination. This is the magic that Silvia Lehmann and Christina Cairns brought to the telling of Persephone’s story with a twist.
Recently I was blessed to be in Denmark for the Brave New Works Festival weekend and had a ticket to the performance of ‘The Descent of Persephone’.
Most of us will be familiar with the Greek mythology story of Persephone and the underworld. Great Southern Storytellers, Silvia Lehmann and Christina Cairns, bring a unique storytelling experience through the art of oral storytelling.
 The Synopsis
A Mother and Daughter turmoil as old as time… Demeter, great Mother Goddess of green earth, fruitfulness, harvest, of all that sustains life, wanders the earth searching for her beloved daughter Persephone, her second self, who was seized by jealous death himself. As she searches, her grief and anger seep out into the land sowing a wasteland in her wake. All that is green and good disappears… Great Southern Storytellers, Christina Cairns and Silvia Lehmann, bring a unique storytelling experience to Brave New Works #31, April 3-6, 2025. |
The Descent of Persephone is the first time Silvia and Christina co- created a storytelling-based theatre performance, as both feel a deep personal connection to this ancient myth of Mother loss and love and the rite of passage a young woman must suffer through in order to emerge knowing her true name and power.
Silvia and Christina’s performances were spellbinding and impactful. The audience felt the passion of the performance and were treated to being totally immersed in the story. This retelling of the Ancient Greek Demeter and Persephone myth was well received by audiences during the Brave New Works Festival and due to popular demand, Christina and Silvia were invited to put on a third telling of ‘The Descent of Persephone’ on Anzac Day just gone.
A Hidden Gem and the Art of ORAL Storytelling
Once a rich and integral tradition, storytelling was passed down through families and communities, carrying with it invaluable cultural knowledge and wisdom. In a world where digital communication reigns supreme, the ancient art of oral storytelling is making a remarkable comeback. Today, we are witnessing a revival, as people across the globe rediscover the power and beauty of sharing stories face-to-face, bridging generations and cultures in the process.
The community of Denmark is fortunate to have a “World Class” talent in their midst. For over fifteen years Theatre Director Silvia Lehmann has contributed to creating many amazing live theatre performances that have become treasured memories for the locals and visitors to the town. She has a talent for collaboration with others and has been the driving force for live theatre productions associated with festivals curated by the Demarks Art Council.
In 2009, Silvia Lehmann and Nicola-Jane le Breton pioneered an innovative process for weaving together diverse perspectives and voices within a community, transforming them into a cohesive and collaborative script for performance. This groundbreaking method has since been embraced by Nicola, Silvia, Annette Carmichael, and Linda Bradbury in over six major multi-arts productions across southwestern Australia. These productions have delved into a variety of compelling themes:
- Life in a Rural Community: “Unravelling: Denmark Stories” (Brave New Works, Denmark, 2009) directed by Silvia Lehmann
- Connections & Disconnections to Land and Indigenous People: “Our Secret River” (Brave New Works, Denmark, 2010) directed by Silvia Lehmann, produced and choreographed by Annette Carmichael
- Reconciliation and Healing with Indigenous People and Place: “Solace + Yearning” (Brave New Works, Denmark, 2012) directed by Annette Carmichael
- Exploring the Relevance of Archetypal Stories of Women Told in the Old Testament: “Living Testament” (Brave New Works, Denmark, 2016) directed by Silvia Lehmann
“I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Silvia on a few of these projects and they have enriched my life in so many ways.” … Jacquie Walker
In 2011 Silvia, in collaboration with director Teresa Izzard, adapted “The Yellow Wallpaper,” inspired by Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story, that captivated audiences with its haunting narrative and powerful performances.
Christina Cairns, a musician, composer and visual artist, has a long love for ancient myths and oral storytelling. She performed her solo work ‘The Wolf Bride’ a re-imagined version of the fairytale The Beauty and the Beast for Brave New Works in 2018.
Through collaboration with others Silvia has helped revitalize the traditional art of oral storytelling, bringing this oldest of artforms to live audiences through her collaboration with others in the world of live theatre production and involving the community in the process of creation.
Persephone is a collaboration with Christina Cairns. Christina is a musician, composer and visual artist, has a long love for ancient myths and oral storytelling. She performed her solo work ‘The Wolf Bride’ a re-imagined version of the fairytale The Beauty and the Beast for Brave New Works in 2018, and has since collaborated with Linda Bradbury on several other storytelling shows, Windbourne (2019) and Treesong (2021).
GREAT SOUTHERN STORYTELLERS
Since 2023 Silvia, in collaboration with Christina Cairns and Jeff Atkinson, has run monthly storytelling circles in the town of Denmark, giving locals a chance to hear and practice telling traditional tales from a variety of regions and cultures. For more information or to be placed on the email list: greatsouthernstorytellers@gmail.com
Partners
https://www.denmarkarts.com.au/brave-new-works
https://www.facebook.com/denmarkartscouncil
https://www.instagram.com/denmarkarts
Review: Jacquie Walker, Conscious Living Editor.
