Tales to laugh at, tales to wonder at

The stories Richard Martin tells are the folk tales which have been told for hundreds, indeed thousands, of years. With over 300 stories in his repertoire, they reflect the full range of human experience: the comic, the bawdy, the profound, the divine.
Far from being for little children (although he has many stories for children, too), these deep and powerful tales offer unforgettable listening for adults.

If you like theatre, you’ll definitely love storytelling. It combines the intensity of a play by a solo performer with the intimacy of a one-to-one conversation.

Richard tells stories throughout Europe and as far away as India, Singapore, Hong Kong and America – in theatres, universities, schools, for corporate events or private parties.

Richard tells in his native English. But when asked, he loves telling in German – with a delightful mixture of English creeping into the story.

Explore the website for tales, for information about performances and workshops — and for much, much more.

Video gallery

When the North Wind Married the Sun (added on 06.01.26)
What an old fable tells us about modern marriage

New Year’s bonus: Magna Charter
Marriott Edgar’s comic monologue showing the real story behind England’s greatest gift to democracy

The video gallery
170 folk tales from around the world
some comic, some bawdy, some profound!

Next video: 3rd February 
Idun’s Golden Apples

Details of the tales

Read more about the fable – and its source and variants
Read more about Edgar’s comic monologues – and my performing apprenticeship

Newsletter

Subscribe to receive a mail when stories are added to the video gallery (usually once a month), and for details of future performances or workshops in your area.


Richard in the wider world – 2026 plans

Click for details and mail if you are interested in a performance or workshop which can take advantage of these travel plans

  • Schools tour in Bavaria around 12th Feb. (dates available)
  • Jungfrau Erzählfestival, Interlaken, Switzerland 29. – 31. May
  • June Denmark/Sweden
  • Return to Lithuania/Latvia (Vilnius and Panevėžys), early October
  • Late October Erlangen/Nuremberg

Details of forthcoming work: Performance schedule and Workshop schedule


Go here for tales to watch

Go here for a list of all tales included on this site

Go here to receive an e-mail notification when new tales are added

Permission to tell outlines my views on copyright

For those who are teachers: Telling stories in the classroom: basing language teaching on storytelling

If you wish to use website content, send me a mail explaining why and I may be able to help.