World's Apart

Imagine a ticket to a myriad of those other-worldly dreamy sensations all in one labyrinthine building. Dusty, dilapidated, and immensely atmospheric, Other Worlds has transformed this already unusual building, which was once Oxford’s main post office and telephone exchange, into a giant storytelling compendium – The Story Museum’s heart is beginning to beat.

A celebration of the power of storytelling in many different forms, from the written word to sound, film, installation and video, Other Worlds is an immensely rich cross-disciplinary exhibition of intriguing new storytelling collaborations between pairs of writers and other creative artists.

One thing that I love about living in the UK is, with a few exceptions, free access to museums and galleries, so I was disappointed to learn about the £3 price attached to Other Worlds. It’s not a lot, and if you make the most of it then it could make for a magnificent and magical day out.

That said, those £3s add up, and some of the installations would be difficult to experience en masse, as a group of more than two at a time, for example, as some of the spaces are tight, and some of the rooms only have limited ways in which to engage, such as the listening posts. So, sadly, it’s not the most accessible exhibition, and I hope in my heart of hearts that this aspect of The Story Museum isn’t a sign of things to come, as it strikes me as a place possessing the potential to be an inspirational, tantalising treasure trove of creativity with the ability to reach out, inspire and make a marked difference to literacy levels across a county in need of a serious leg-up.

And I understand that it is this potential that these 50-strong collaborators, and the volunteer exhibition invigilators, identify in the vision of The Story Museum, which is why they have given their time and energy to contribute free-of-charge.

Other Worlds collaborators, Dark Angels, consist of a group of writers who coordinate workshops about using words more engagingly and imaginatively within the business environment.

The Dark Angels are an intriguing bunch. One of them is a participator in The Mighty Boosh, another is a set designer on major feature films, another was a prop maker for Harrry Potter films while others have written novels. Plus former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen is involved in a Lear installation, fantasy illustrator Roger Dean is contri-buting and artist Anita Klein is creating an angelic presence in the entranceway.

Children’s illustrator Korky Paul dallies with a dinosaur, while other artists invite you to write a letter to your future self, make a periscope disappear up into an attic, while words cook up a storm in Room 28. All of them take their cues from the evocative environment, and in turn creating intriguing and playful installations in different spaces, with a surprise around every corner.

And Other Worlds already seems to have captured imaginations. As you weave up and down the main set of stairs in The Story Museum you will notice other visitors have been doing their own weaving, writing comments on luggage labels and weaving them on to the stair rails.

With words buzzing on the paper, 10-year-old Emily remarked: “I loved the Queen of Found Things but the typewriter was the best. The mural had cool pics and the periscope and ladder was weird, in a good way. I really enjoyed it.”

One anonymous visitor commented: “An amazing and inspiring exhibition. I think I will go home and write a story. Thank you – and ".”

I’m 31, and I’d like to live here, until May 27 at least.

With more than 50 rooms, and over 25 collaborations to experience, they recommend two hours to get round the entire show, but I would allocate six – this is a big one, so follow your nose, go where your curiosity takes you, from room to room at your own pace and forget yourself as opportunities like this don’t come along very often.

* The Story Museum, Rochester House, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford. OX1 1BP 01865 790050 or email office@storymuseum.org.uk Tickets to Other Worlds cost £3