Mythical Creatures

BBC Radio 4
Mythical Creatures

Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today.

Episodes

  1. 2023-12-18

    10. Wulver

    Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today. In the final episode of the series, Rhianna explores the tale of a mysterious wolf-like creature in Shetland. This mythical beast is not all it might, at first, seem to be. Rhianna digs into the story and finds out what it could reveal about folklore – and ourselves - in the 21st century and what the future might hold for mythical creatures. Storyteller: Graeme Johncock Other Contributors: Catriona Macdonald, Dr Mary Bateman, Mark Norman Presenter: Rhianna Pratchett Producers: Lorna Skingley and Sarah Harrison Executive Producer: Mel Harris Production Manager: Nikki Cannon Original Music by Ben MacDougall Sound Design and Mixing: John Scott A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  2. 2023-12-18

    9. Banshees

    Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today. In this episode, Rhianna is on a quest to find out about an Irish death omen, The Banshee. Rhianna explores the importance of this creature’s cry, the significance of her haggish female form, and why the belief of her remains strong today. Storyteller: Liz Weir Other Contributors: Dr. Kelly Fitzgerald, Sharon Blackie Presenter: Rhianna Pratchett Producers: Lorna Skingley and Sarah Harrison Executive Producer: Mel Harris Production Manager: Nikki Cannon Original Music by Ben MacDougall Sound Design and Mixing: John Scott A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4

    14 min

  3. 2023-12-18

    8. Selkies

    Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today. In this episode, Rhianna heads to the Scottish coast to meet shape-shifting sea creature, the Selkie. Selkies are seals in the water but can remove their seal skins and become humans on the land. Rhianna explores the best known Selkie story, The Selkie Wife. She delves into what it reveals about some murky parts of our own history, and asks how it can be used to empower and help people today. Storyteller: Shona Cowie Other Contributors: Sharon Blackie, Lari Don Presenter: Rhianna Pratchett Producers: Lorna Skingley and Sarah Harrison Executive Producer: Mel Harris Production Manager: Nikki Cannon Original Music by Ben MacDougall Sound Design and Mixing: John Scott A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4

    14 min

  4. 2023-12-18

    7. Giants

    Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today. As a child Rhianna was told of sleeping giants on the hilltops near her grandparent’s house in Wales. Now she returns to the Welsh mountains and to Cader Idris – a striking mountain in the Eryri National Park – to meet a particularly intriguing giant. Rhianna discovers why giants have been important to humans for centuries. She explores what they can reveal about ourselves and our landscape, and what giant tales might offer us in the present day. Storyteller: Peter Stevenson Other Contributors: Erin Kavanagh, Dr Mary Bateman Presenter: Rhianna Pratchett Producers: Lorna Skingley and Sarah Harrison Executive Producer: Mel Harris Production Manager: Nikki Cannon Original Music by Ben MacDougall Sound Design and Mixing: John Scott A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4

    14 min

  5. 2023-12-18

    6. Hobs

    Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today. Not all mythical creatures are found in the wilds of our landscape. Rhianna discovers there could be magical beings with us in our homes. She hears tales of helpful hobs in the North York Moors – small hairy creatures that do your chores while you’re asleep. Like many other friendly household spirits they can be useful but also temperamental. You need to stay on the right side of your hob! Rhianna, keen for some help around the house, takes notes on how to keep your hob happy, and what happens when it’s not. She also explores what stories of hobs and other household spirits can tell us about our lives past and present. Storyteller: Rosie Barrett Other Contributors: Bob Fischer, Mark Norman, Natalie Lawrence Presenter: Rhianna Pratchett Producers: Lorna Skingley and Sarah Harrison Executive Producer: Mel Harris Production Manager: Nikki Cannon Original Music by Ben MacDougall Sound Design and Mixing: John Scott A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  6. 2023-12-18

    5. Mermaids

    Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today. Rhianna is on the trail of one of her favourite mythical creatures - the mermaid. She visits Conwy in North Wales, the scene of a mermaid’s curse, and dives into a myriad of salty tales. Rhianna hears how the meaning and representation of mermaids has changed throughout history and how the mermaid can speak to the environmental movement in the 21st century. Storyteller: Ffion Phillips Contributor: Professor Sarah Peverley Presenter: Rhianna Pratchett Producers: Lorna Skingley and Sarah Harrison Executive Producer: Mel Harris Production Manager: Nikki Cannon Original Music by Ben MacDougall Sound Design and Mixing: John Scott A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  7. 2023-12-18

    4. Redcaps

    Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today. In this episode, Rhianna tentatively heads to Scotland, in search of a small but vicious castle-dweller, that soaks its cap in its victims’ blood – The Redcap. She explores why stories of such violent creatures originated in a region with its own turbulent past, and finds out how their use has shifted over time. Storyteller: Graeme Johncock Contributors: Icy Sedgwick, David C. Weinczok Additional Voiceover: Neil Hutchinson Presenter: Rhianna Pratchett Producers: Lorna Skingley and Sarah Harrison Executive Producer: Mel Harris Production Manager: Nikki Cannon Original Music by Ben MacDougall Sound Design and Mixing: John Scott A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  8. 2023-12-18

    3. Water Demons

    Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She finds out what they can tell us about our history, our world and ourselves. Rhianna explores the dark world of water demons, from Jenny Greenteeth in the North of England to kelpies – shapeshifting water horses – in Scotland. She hears chilling details of their activities and their purpose but also learns what can be used for protection against these fearsome creatures. Storyteller: Lari Don Contributor: Mark Norman Presenter: Rhianna Pratchett Producers: Lorna Skingley and Sarah Harrison Executive Producer: Mel Harris Production Manager: Nikki Cannon Original Music by Ben MacDougall Sound Design and Mixing: John Scott A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4

    14 min

  9. 2023-12-18

    2. Dragons

    Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today. In this episode, Rhianna seeks out dragons, and heads up to Sunderland, to meet one such specimen, The Lambton Worm. Rhianna explores how these powerful creatures reflect human power struggles, symbolise changing threats, and how they are used to justify who has rights over the land. Storyteller: Stuart Miller Other Contributors: Dr. Jamie Beckett, Natalie Lawrence Presenter: Rhianna Pratchett Producers: Lorna Skingley and Sarah Harrison Executive Producer: Mel Harris Production Manager: Nikki Cannon Original Music by Ben MacDougall Sound Design and Mixing: John Scott A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4

    14 min

  10. 2023-12-18

    1. Black Dogs

    Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today. In the first episode of the series, Rhianna is on the trail of Black Dogs. She visits Suffolk, to hear a tale of a hellhound that left its mark on the small town of Bungay. It’s one of many spectral black dogs that are said to stalk coastal paths and lonely crossroads. Rhianna explores why Black Dogs appear so often in folklore, and their psychological link to fear and negative emotions. Storyteller: Michael Lambourne Other Contributors: Helen Bruce, Mark Norman Presenter: Rhianna Pratchett Producers: Lorna Skingley and Sarah Harrison Executive Producer: Mel Harris Production Manager: Nikki Cannon Original Music by Ben MacDougall Sound Design and Mixing: John Scott A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4

    14 min

  11. 2023-12-12

    Introducing Mythical Creatures

    Rhianna Pratchett is on a quest to discover mythical creatures around the British Isles and find out what they tell us about our history, our world and ourselves.

    3 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Fantasy writer Rhianna Pratchett takes us across an enchanted British Isles to discover mythical creatures that lurk in all corners of the land. She uncovers what they can tell us about our history, our world and our lives today.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2023
  • Show Website
    Mythical Creatures

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