Beth Hamilton-Cardus

Book Beth Hamilton-Cardus

Beth grew up in Fife, telling stories and trying to get others to join in from an early age. As an English Literature student, Beth probably spent too much time doing theatre and comedy, cutting her performance teeth on the stage of what’s now known as The Edinburgh Revue.

Following University, Beth worked as a community educator in the voluntary sector, specialising in working with hard to reach young people, including those affected by homelessness and substance use. She set up Suit and Pace with fellow storyteller Andrew Coull as a social enterprise that worked primarily with children, young people and adults with disabilities which to used humour and fun as a tool for learning, ensuring that all performances were participative and accessible.

Suit and Pace received the Best Newcomer Award at the 2013 Create in Fife Awards, and the Socially Enterprising Award at the 2015 Fife Voluntary Action Awards.

‘As a writer, performer and community worker, storytelling draws my skills together and has become a true passion. I love using traditional stories in fun, innovative ways, and work hard to communicate relevant messages to our audiences, while ensuring my stories are enjoyable. I focus primarily on working with children, and have told stories to babies, toddlers, and children at nurseries and primary schools – I’ve also worked with children and young people with additional support needs. I love stories from all over the world, but often use Celtic tales – I particularly like stories that involves magic, witches, trolls and giants. My sessions often involve silly characters (we’ve been incompetent curators and lost time travellers recently) and puppetry, music and games. The focus is always on creating audience-centred sessions, drawing on a wide range of theatre experience when developing our work, including  comedy skills. I perform in community, theatre and educational settings, and have been part of many festivals and events, including Book Week Scotland, World Book Day, the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, Imaginate Family Fringe and the Scottish Refugee Festival.’ (Beth)

Email Storyteller