Yamanba or 'She'll be coming round the mountain'

A tree floats down a river from the mountain and becomes a sacred statue: compassion personified. At the river’s source squats an old, old lady (Yamanba) whose fury can eat you alive, or keep you as safe as if you yourself were the mountain. People call this angry old lady a demon ... but look closely and you'll find there's a whole lot more to her than that. Who is she really: witch-crone, terror-wreaker, bodhisattva, goddess? And in a time when youth, beauty and wishes-come-true are all that matters, who even cares?

For years, the figure of Yamanba has led Laura a merry dance round the mountain to a rag-bag of myths, legends and parables of East Asia - plus the outer reaches of her mind. Join her on an intriguing and comedic journey, chasing the echo of a being that can still, if she wants, raise holy hell.

Laura Sampson is a British-Trinidadian storyteller, author and practitioner of Japanese noh. She tells stories of big emotions, surreal situations, and misunderstood old ladies - from across the world.

For children/families, Laura has worked with the V&A Museums, Discover Children's Story Centre, Sagapo Teatro, Polka Theatre, Conductive Music CIC, Pākiki theatre, National Trust, and is an ISTA associate artist. She is also the author of Enchanted Tales (2023), Mythical Tales and Sleeping Beauty (2025), published by Templar Books.

For adult audiences, Laura has worked with leading UK organisations the Crick Crack Club and StoryJam, hosts regular open mic Tales at the Tavern, and is founder of story promoter The House of Rumour. Current and in-progress shows include Yamanba (UK story club tour), Chaucer's Parliament of Birds, and a new retelling of Old English epic Beowulf.

Laura has practised noh (a 700-year-old Japanese art form) since 2011, and her storytelling often incorporates elements of the form. She has had work commissioned by Quiet Music Ensemble (Ireland); Noh Reimagined Festival (Mu:Arts), and British Library. She holds a Japanese Studies MA (SOAS), and is co-author of Moon Snow Blossom: Wintry Folktales from across Japan (Elliott & Thompson) out in Oct 20

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