Winner of Outstanding Female Storyteller of Great Britain in 2013 (British Awards for Storytelling Excellence) she is renowned for her compelling, vibrant performances.
She has a vast knowledge of traditional stories passed down by her Irish father and grandmother which she brings to life with her lucid, engaging style.
“In Maria’s hands a story is a living, breathing thing. Mesmerising.” - Frank Cottrell Boyce.
Perfect for small venues, theatres, art centres, libraries and pubs
Storytelling for grown-ups | Running time: 55 mins
Through a kingdom where the air is crowded with barks and howls, a pack of dogs race towards a court of justice. Welcome to the City of Dogs where a trail of stories unfolds as a trial is held. Find out more
Maria Whatton and Musician, Sarah Matthews | Running time: 60 mins
One of Ireland’s greatest legends brought vividly to life by the delightful duo: Storyteller Maria Whatton and Musician Sarah Matthews. Find out more
Maria Whatton and Musician, Maya Sinéad | Running time: 60 minutes
Shakespeare’s tale of power, revenge and forgiveness set on a magical island. Find out more
Maria Whatton and Musician, Sarah Matthews | Running time 90 minutes
On the night of a full moon the Artist Joseph Wright is residing at the home of Doctor Erasmus Darwin. Tales are told by glistening candlelight of dark Derbyshire caves glittering with minerals, hazardous oceanic journeys and perilous love affairs. Find out more
Maria runs “Once Upon a Wednesday” storytelling club at The Brewhouse Arts Centre.
If you want to know more join our Facebook page: Once Upon a Wednesday – Burton on Trent Storytelling Club
The Seeing Stories podcast is for people who love stories of all kinds: traditional, mythological, fictional and societal. Listen to Maria interview storytellers, and poets on their lives and writing processes. Hear Maria tell a cracking warrior woman tale and investigate the personal legacy of creativity and imagination.
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Maria has worked as an editor, community writer and fiction author. She was the Chair of the international literary prize (Lichfield Prize) along with Dame Beryl Bainbridge.
Maria’s coming of age tale “Silver in the Quarter” was published by Orion in 2018. She runs writing workshops on fiction, crafting story performance, and cinematic storytelling.
Maria is also a specialist in presenting collected stories, archive material and information in interesting and engaging ways.
Sit back and relax while watching the poetic narrative film Maria was commissioned to write for The National Trust, Clumber Park. This film is for families who want to explore the wild life, flora and fauna on site. You can sit and watch it in the reception hub of the park. The actors’ voices are: Alison Willis and Philip Massey. Click here to watch.
Have a look at The Story Wells booklet based on real life interviews with brewery workers from the 1960’s and 1970’s. Commissioned by Staffordshire County Council. Click here to view.
Learn more here.
Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Universities.
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” - Albert Einstein
Maria has worked in partnership with hundreds of schools over the last ten years running INSET courses for teachers, and performance workshops for children.
Her methodology is rigorous and imaginative and always pedagogically sound.
“In Maria’s hands a story is a living, breathing thing. Mesmerising.”
“You made a wonderful speech at the ceremony and left each writer feeling good about themselves.”
“Maria organised the Lichfield Literary Prize with the perfect skill achieved by an absolute commitment and effort behind the scenes.”
“All the ladies I have spoken to absolutely loved every minute of your storytelling… You were brilliant.”
