When you are ready for bed a child from somewhere else in the world will come and tell you a story.

Children aged between 9 and 12 years old, worked to build a collection of stories to tell adults on the other side of the world before they went to sleep.

Taking advantage of international time differences, children in one country tell bedtime stories to adults in another country in a series of one-to-one encounters, connecting the world through storytelling.

Snuggle up in your favourite pyjamas and listen to tales of adventure, love, and inspiration, epic histories and domestic dramas.

Bedtime Stories inverts the paradigm of adults telling children bedtime stories and engages with the global problem of safe-guarding children on the internet by empowering young people to understand their boundaries and take control of the technology. Bedtime Stories promotes cultural exchange by giving audiences a window into storytelling and literary traditions in other parts of the world.

Sweet dreams.

Performances last about 15 minutes. You will need access to a computer or tablet and a good internet connection. You purchase a ticket for an introductory session with the festival box office. During the introduction we will check you are comfortable with the technology, answer any questions that you have, and book in the date and time for your bedtime story.

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Meet some of the young storytellers and read Mary Paterson’s first person account of Bedtime Stories by downloading the publication HERE.

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Bedtime Stories was created by Joshua Sofaer, 2022. Commissioned by OFFTA festival produced by LA SERRE – arts vivants, Montréal; co-produced with Norfolk & Norwich Festival, UK and StoryFest, Singapore. Executive Producer Philippa Barr. Funded by Conseil des Arts du Canada and Arts Council England.

Bedtime Stories illustration by Paloma Villarreal.