Reviews and kudos

"The best storyteller we've ever had!"

"As a practitioner in school Nikky was fantastic. Her storytelling workshop had the children eating out of the palm of her hand. The teachers also found it inspiring to watch and gave them ideas for their own teaching. We would definitely ask Nikky back again."
Fiona Biggs, Year 2 Phase Lead, Castle Bromwich Infant School.

"The CBSO would highly recommend Nikky Smedley to any other organisation wanting to develop an engaging multi-disciplinary arts project for children. She is able to bring a creative vision, thorough approach to planning, and inspire and enthuse artists to work outside of their comfort zones to deliver high quality educational activities." Lucy Galliard, Director of Learning & Engagement, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

"This was the second time Nikky had visited the Reception classes at our school. The children loved her storytelling skirt which they said looked like a coral reef and a lake. The children sat enthralled by the wonderful stories and were immediately wrapped up in the characters, joining in with the refrains. They laughed at Roland J because he was funny when he kept falling asleep and they had to say a rhyme to wake him up. It was a wonderful morning from which the children were able to recall all the stories and talk about their favourite story explaining their choices. They now all tell me that stories are all around us in the air and they come out of the air into their heads, out of their mouths and into your ears ! We will certainly be asking Nikky to visit again as it is a pleasure to see how she brings the children and their imaginations to life. The children are starting to write their own stories now too. Thank you and looking forward to your next visit." Nicky Mellor, Bawnmore Infant School.

“Working with Nikky is an exciting place to be. She encourages the development of learning projects by engaging brilliantly with participants and Arts practitioners, moving ideas forward through astute, sensitive, open questioning. She's an imaginative ideas person, one with whom I always look forward to working.”
Louise Braithwaite, Education Manager, Orchestra of the Swan

“Nikky is one of those truly creative inspirational individuals who brightens a room and a television with their unique take on comedy and narrative. She effortlessly connects with the audience and tells stories with passion, wit and energy. One of a kind."
Alan Dapre, Writer & Creative, Ragdoll Productions Ltd

“Nikky is an extraordinarily creative and competent director and performer. On top of that her drive, enthusiasm and organizational skills make her one of the most clear and constructive people it has been my pleasure to work with. ”
Anton Skrzypiciel, performer/assistant/touring agent, Rui Horta StageWorks, Portugal

“Over the years I have collaborated with Nikky on several projects. She can aways be relied upon to bring energy and out-of-the box thinking to any endeavour while combining a goal oriented focus with an empathetic manner. I have happily recommended her to clients, colleagues and friends in the past and will continue to do so.”
Neil Cunningham, Creative Director - VFX, Reliance Media Works, UK and India

“Nikky is sharp, clued up, and on the ball. She is an energy generator and practitioners and colleagues enjoy the buzz of working with her.”
Claudette Bryanston, Social sciences Arts and Theatre Ethnography, Santé Theatre

“Nikky's storytelling is fabulous! She mesmerised the children in my class! I've never seen them ALL so engaged with a story! The children still ask now when she is coming back. Nikky inspired the more able children to be enthusiastic and use their imaginations to tell their own stories. Their speech and language skills came on in leaps and bounds!”
Sarah Hale, KS1 Teacher, Brooke Special School, Rugby

“Wow! What an experience! Awe inspiring storytelling for both adults and children alike. Mesmerising performance makes Nikky's storytelling a treat to behold, purely magical!”
Cherril Day, Year 2 Phase Lead, Studley Infant School.

“The Stratford Literary Festival worked with Nikky as the Tell Woman two years ago, and were so delighted by her performance that we invited her to join us again. Her stories are magical and entrance the children. She fires their imaginations and takes them into a wonderful world of make-believe. For the Festival, she is a joy to work with. Reliable and delivers exactly what she promises. We hope she'll become a regular part of our programme.”
Annie Ashworth, Stratford on Avon Literary Festival

“Nikky Smedley has as a special ability to communicate with children in a fun and imaginative way through her delightful and imaginative storytelling. Her impish humour appeals to little people and she manages to create a magical and believable world which is fully engaging, believable and relevant to her young listeners.”
Marie McCluskey MBE, Director, Swindon Dance

“Nikky's performance as part of the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations in 2011 was wonderful - her obvious experience and expertise in performing, particularly to young people, shone through. We hope she will be involved again in the future.”
Marion Morgan, Community Involvement Co-ordinator, Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations

“The children absolutely loved Nikky's storytelling session, and have remembered their favourite stories from the session months on! She captured their imaginations and even the most reserved children came out of their shells when looking at her fabulous storytelling dress”
Amy Meluish, Reception Class Teacher, Woodlands School Solihull.