Being Luminary

In focus: Telling my story, with Richard O'Neill

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Episode notes

"If we look at it in plain and simple terms, then some people will ask you to be part of something because of, of your ethnicity. You know, because you are this, this ethnicity, and it's exotic or interesting. But, you know, and then sometimes you might need to do that. So, very often, I'll be described as a Romani writer. And that might serve the purpose of that particular thing. But actually, in reality, am I a very good storyteller? Am I a reasonably good writer who just happens to be Romani? Or am I a Romani writer? Or a Romani Storyteller? That's, that's a conundrum"

In this episode distilled Angie talks to Richard O’Neill about his nomadic childhood as a member of the Romani community, and the prejudices he has experienced in life and work.

Richard O’Neill is an internationally acclaimed performance Storyteller, Author and Playwright. He was born and brought up in large traditional, fully nomadic Romani Gypsy family, travelling throughout the North of England and Scotland. His roots are also to be found in the coal mining communities of the North East having family members who worked down the pits. This co-cultural upbringing is reflected in his creative work. As Richard says,’Gypsy in my heart and coal dust in my veins’.

Richard grew up working alongside his father and extended family, a keen learner he picked up many of the old skills including peg and spoon making just as they were dying out. Skills he now passes on to others through educational projects in schools and colleges.

Find out more about Richard on his website - www.richardthestoryteller.weebly.com

Connect with Angie on her website - www.angelabrowne.co.uk

The full episode can be found at https://being-luminary.simplecast.com/episodes/in-conversation-with-richard-oneill

A transcript of this episode can be found at 

This podcast was written and presented by Angie Browne. Original music was by Martin Austwick. The series is edited and produced by Big Tent Media and Emily Crosby Media.