Ryan, Patrick 1957-

views updated

RYAN, Patrick 1957-

PERSONAL: Born March 10, 1957, in Springfield, IL; son of Richard Joseph (a medic) and Frances Conner Dougherty (a speech therapist) Ryan. Education: University of Illinois—Urbana, B.F.A., 1978; University of Chicago, M.S., 1981; University of Glamorgan, doctoral study, 2000—. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Roman Catholic. Hobbies and other interests: Hill walking, football, soccer, rugby, travel, theater, reading, swimming.

ADDRESSES: Home and office—72A Huxley Rd., London E10 5QU, England. E-mail—patryan@telltale. dir.co.uk.

CAREER: Part-time storyteller, 1978-89; primary school teacher in Chicago, IL, 1981-84, and in London, England, 1984-89; professional storyteller in Britain and Ireland, with additional tours, residence, and projects in the United States, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong, and Australia. Founding member, Northlands Storytelling Network, Upper Midwest, 1980-84; founding member, Society for Storytelling, England and Wales, 1992, member of board, 1992, 1995, chair, 1994-95; consultant to Ragdoll Productions for The Teletubbies.

MEMBER: International Board on Books for Young People (British branch), Society for Storytelling, American Folklore Society, Equiry, English Folk Dance and Song Society.

WRITINGS:

The Bigwidemouthed Toad Frog, illustrated by Mary Medlicott, Kingfisher (London, England), 1990.

Storytelling in Ireland: A Re-Awakening, Verbal Arts Centre (Londonderry, England), 1995.

Words in Action, Verbal Arts Centre (Londonderry, England), 1997.

Listen Up! (video), Verbal Arts Centre (Londonderry, England), 2000.

(Re-teller) Shakespeare's Storybook: Folktales That Inspired the Bard, illustrated by James Mayhew, Barefoot Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Has written various scripts for BBC Radio; contributor to periodicals.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Doctoral thesis; a book on Irish storytellers.

SIDELIGHTS: A professional storyteller, Patrick Ryan presents the sources behind Shakespeare's seven greatest works in his book titled Shakespeare's Storybook: Folktales That Inspired the Bard. In addition to providing some biographical and historical background to Shakespeare's writing, Ryan also includes an introduction in the book that recounts the transformation of storytelling, from early oral traditions to the written word. The book was well received by critics, many of whom praised Ryan's adaptations as being entertaining even if they had no connection to Shakespeare. And John Peters, writing in Booklist, added that "children who have already been exposed to the Bard will find plenty of new insight here."