Gemma Jones performs this haunting folktale about a woman from the sea, who is captured by a human. But will her home and children on the shore be enough to keep her from her natural world?Introduced by Vernon Rose singing an extract of tradi

Double Damask, performed by Helen Fraser

Jun 4th, 2020 2m 51s

Helen Fraser performs this hilarious sketch originally created by Dion Titheridge, and made famous by Cicely Courtneidge. How difficult can it really be to place an order for some napkins?

'Sea Tongue' (by Kevin Crossley Holland), performed by Sasha Mitchell and Matt Prendergast

Jun 2nd, 2020 6m 31s

Sasha Mitchell and Matt Prendergast perform Kevin Crossley Holland's 'Sea Tongue', inspired by the true story of Dunwich, Britain's Atlantis. Dunwich was once among England's biggest towns, but now lies almost entirely beneath the North Sea, sa

'An Unexpected Reunion', read by Roger Lloyd Pack

May 28th, 2020 5m 14s

Roger Lloyd Pack reads a darkly moving and eerie tale of a love that transcends earthly bounds.

'A Pottle Of Brains', read by Roger Lloyd Pack

May 26th, 2020 9m 47s

Roger Lloyd Pack reads this funny folk tale following a fool's quest for a pottle of brains.

'Cinderella' / 'Hansel & Gretel' / 'Song to Hermes', written and read by Jehane Markham

May 21st, 2020 6m 36s

Poet, lyricist and dramatist Jehane Markham reads three of her own poems, based on traditional fairytales.

'The Magic Drum', a Yoruba story told by Colin Salmon

May 19th, 2020 13m 3s

Colin Salmon tells this folk story from West Africa. A tale for all the family.

'Forty Hares and a Princess', told by Jonathan Pryce, Sam Scudder, Gemma Jones and Jane Barber

May 14th, 2020 13m 17s

A Yiddish folk tale of a king's challenge to his daughter's suitor, and how a fool with a little luck is only half a fool. Told by Jonathan Pryce, Gemma Jones, Sam Scudder and Jane Barber.With original music by Sylvia Hallett.

'Be My Cariad', Welsh folktale performed by Gemma Jones

May 12th, 2020 6m 38s

Gemma Jones performs Welsh folk tale 'Be My Cariad', telling the story of a young Welsh lad who casts his line on a moonlit lake, and catches more than he bargains for. Recorded at the Almeida Theatre, 1st October 2000.With music performed by

'Nicola Pesce' ('Nick Fish'), read by Marcello Magni

May 7th, 2020 13m 14s

Nicola Pesce inadvertently escapes death by bunking off school, and wild hilarity ensues. Marcello Magni retells and improvises this Italian folk tale in glorious, uproarious style.

'The Dog & The Sparrow' from the Brothers Grimm, read by Ian McDiarmid

May 5th, 2020 7m 53s

A fiercely loyal sparrow picks a revenge fight with a wagoner, proving that even the littlest among us should not be underestimated. Funny and characteristically Grimm.

'The Well of the World's End', performed by Bill Patterson

Apr 30th, 2020 6m 59s

An Anglo-Scottish border version of the Frog Prince tale, told with perfect comedy timing by the brilliant Bill Patterson.

'Short Hoggers' performed by Brian Cox

Apr 28th, 2020 6m 11s

Comical folk tale. When a paperwork problem prevents a little spirit from passing through the pearly gates, it's forced to return to earth to find itself a name.

'The Debutante' by Leonora Carrington, read by Penelope Wilton

Apr 23rd, 2020 7m 36s

Hilariously funny story by Leonora Carrington, read by Dame Penelope Wilton. A debutante befriends a hyena, with the most unlikely consequences. Archive recording from The Almeida Theatre, October 2000.

'The Jewish Vicar' performed by Jon Canter (from SPLASH!)

Apr 21st, 2020 8m 22s

Jon Canter reads his excellently funny story 'The Jewish Vicar' about a man who finds himself in the wrong clothes at the right time. Recorded at the Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh, in 2012.The story was later developed into a BBC Radio 4 afternoon

'Just Say Hic!' performed by Jonathan Pryce

Apr 16th, 2020 8m 15s

Jonathan Pryce performs this heartwarming Turkish folk tale, following the forgetful Hassan, whose curiosity and determination not to forget what he's told leads him into a spiralling comedy of errors.

'The Vinegar Bottle' performed by Judy Campbell

Apr 14th, 2020 8m 31s

A charming English folk tale performed by Judy Campbell at the Almeida Theatre, recorded on October 1st 2000.

'The Offah Reading' by Adrian Mitchell

Apr 9th, 2020 2m 50s

Adrian Mitchell recites his poem telling the tale of his visit to a school in Offah, and a reading not to be forgotten.

The Plays What I Wrote by William Shakespeare (a.k.a. Adrian Mitchell) performed by Roger Lloyd Pack

Apr 7th, 2020 4m 49s

Adrian Mitchell's parody of William Shakespeare, trying to help us find a way of remembering all his plays. Brilliantly performed by Roger Lloyd Pack, with music by Sylvia Hallett & Miguel Tantos.

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