About

Join the Gloucester Storytelling Cafe on an adventure into East Asian myths and folklore on June 4th as they join Laura Sampson on a quest to find 'Yamanba'....

High up in the mountains, between peak and river source, squats an Old Crone, forgotten and herself forgetful of everything, even her name. But once, she was worthy of worship. Who is she now?

'Hungry mountain hag' was the figure Laura expected to see when she first sat down in a Tokyo theatre to watch the noh Yamanba. But the being she met there was more: perplexing, awesome, enticing - built from stories not in Laura's books. Where could she find Her?

Fragments of Yamanba dance through East Asian myth, folklore, Buddhist parables ... and the unenlightened minds of those who dare follow them. Join Laura's climb up intrepid, intricate mountain paths, in search of a being of ravenous fury, forgotten might, and surprising compassion.