Cygnet & Swan presents RavenMad

Cygnet & Swan
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Enter the macabre mind of gothic literature master, Edgar Allan Poe, as we bring thirteen classic tales to life with voice actors, sound effects and music. This production — conceived from the brilliant minds of Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach — features the voices of Australian actors, and is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation. RavenMad’s adaptation aims to grant listeners access to Poe’s arabesque world and ignite a passion for the sinister and sublime genre of gothic literature.

  1. The Oval Portrait

    EPISODE 1

    The Oval Portrait

    An injured Lord arrives at an abandoned chateau and discovers a room filled with incredible art, including a mysterious and compelling portrait of a beautiful young woman. Watch our film adaptation of this story on Cygnet & Swan's YouTube channel now! CREATIVE TEAM Director . . . Olivia French Sound Editor . . . Elizabeth Bradford Script Adaptation . . . Alexandra Meerbach Musical Director . . . Marli van der Bijl Composer . . . Marais van den Berg CAST Narrator . . . Jack Emond Sister . . . Clare Hamer Artist . . . James Wait Valet . . . Kyle Robinson Lady Visitor . . . Clara Davoine Lord Visitor . . . Jagaraj PRODUCTION TEAM Producer . . . Cygnet & Swan Productions Co-Creators & Creative Directors . . . Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach Production Managers . . . Alexandra Meerbach and Elizabeth Bradford Musical Consultant . . . Marli van der Bijl Theme Composer . . . Matt Shaw Marketing Coordinator . . . Elizabeth Bradford RavenMad is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation, as the grateful recipient of the 2021 Jack Anderson Film Award grant. We wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nations, and the Khoi-San people of Southern Africa, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which our podcast was produced and recorded. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples. Visit the RavenMad website to read more about our production or follow us on Instagram or Facebook for the latest updates. You can also sign up to our mailing list to find out about our other projects in development. If you love our podcast, you can support us by purchasing from our RedBubble store.

    12 min
  2. Eldorado

    EPISODE 2

    Eldorado

    A gallant knight sets out on an epic quest to find the legendary city of Eldorado. Watch our film adaptation of this poem on Cygnet & Swan's YouTube channel now! CREATIVE TEAM Director . . . Alexandra Meerbach Sound Editor . . . Elizabeth Bradford Composer . . . Matt Shaw CAST Narrator . . . Clare Hamer The Knight . . . Barry Kay The Shadow . . . Sasha Cuha PRODUCTION TEAM Producer . . . Cygnet & Swan Productions Co-Creators & Creative Directors . . . Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach Production Managers . . . Alexandra Meerbach and Elizabeth Bradford Musical Consultant . . . Marli van der Bijl Theme Composer . . . Matt Shaw Marketing Coordinator . . . Elizabeth Bradford RavenMad is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation, as the grateful recipient of the 2021 Jack Anderson Film Award grant. We wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which our podcast was produced and recorded. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples. Visit the RavenMad website to read more about our production or follow us on Instagram or Facebook for the latest updates. You can also sign up to our mailing list to find out about our other projects in development. If you love our podcast, you can support us by purchasing from our RedBubble store.

    3 min
  3. The Cask of Amontillado

    EPISODE 3

    The Cask of Amontillado

    Set in an Italian city at carnival time, a man takes revenge on a long time friend. Watch our film adaptation of this story on Cygnet & Swan's YouTube channel now! CREATIVE TEAM Director . . . Olivia French Sound Editor . . . Jacob Thompson CAST Narrator / Montressor . . . Sebastiano Pitruzello Fortunato . . . Jagaraj PRODUCTION TEAM Producer . . . Cygnet & Swan Productions Co-Creators & Creative Directors . . . Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach Production Managers . . . Alexandra Meerbach and Elizabeth Bradford Musical Consultant . . . Marli van der Bijl Theme Composer . . . Matt Shaw Marketing Coordinator . . . Elizabeth Bradford RavenMad is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation, as the grateful recipient of the 2021 Jack Anderson Film Award grant. We wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which our podcast was produced and recorded. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples. Visit the RavenMad website to read more about our production or follow us on Instagram or Facebook for the latest updates. You can also sign up to our mailing list to find out about our other projects in development. If you love our podcast, you can support us by purchasing from our RedBubble store.

    22 min
  4. The City in the Sea

    EPISODE 4

    The City in the Sea

    A poem that describes a city of sin, ruled by Death, which sinks to the bottom of the sea.  This piece will be performed in choral by our skilled sirens of the sea. Watch our film adaptation of this poem on Cygnet & Swan's YouTube channel now! CREATIVE TEAM Director . . . Alexandra Meerbach Sound Editor . . . Elizabeth Bradford Composer . . . Matt Shaw CAST Sirens . . . Lana Lunacy, Ebony McClain and Marli van der Bijl PRODUCTION TEAM Producer . . . Cygnet & Swan Productions Co-Creators & Creative Directors . . . Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach Production Managers . . . Alexandra Meerbach and Elizabeth Bradford Musical Consultant . . . Marli van der Bijl Theme Composer . . . Matt Shaw Marketing Coordinator . . . Elizabeth Bradford RavenMad is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation, as the grateful recipient of the 2021 Jack Anderson Film Award grant. We wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which our podcast was produced and recorded. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples. Visit the RavenMad website to read more about our production or follow us on Instagram or Facebook for the latest updates. You can also sign up to our mailing list to find out about our other projects in development. If you love our podcast, you can support us by purchasing from our RedBubble store.

    5 min
  5. Ravin' and Ramblin'

    EPISODE 5 BONUS

    Ravin' and Ramblin'

    Join our creative directors, Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach, as they discuss their motivations behind entering the world of Poe and gothic literature, as well as unravelling their chaotic creativity in the first four adaptations of our RavenMad project. If you enjoyed this bonus episode and would like us to do more, let us know! Leave a review or a rating on your podcast streaming platform or connect with us on social media. This episode was produced by Olivia French with Elizabeth Bradford. Our theme is by composer, Matt Shaw. This episode features soundbites from our adaptations of The Oval Portrait, Eldorado, The Cask of Amontillado and The City in the Sea with actors Jack Emond, Clare Hamer, Barry Kay, Sebastiano Pitruzello, Jagaraj, Lana Lunacy, Ebony McClain and Marli van der Bijl. RavenMad is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation as the grateful recipient of the 2021 Jack Anderson Film Award grant. Cygnet & Swan wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which our podcast was produced and this episode was recorded. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Attributions for this production can be found here.

    45 min
  6. Annabel Lee

    EPISODE 6

    Annabel Lee

    A love story cut tragically short. A young man laments the loss of the beautiful Annabel Lee, whom he loves still, even in death.  Thank you for joining us for an episode of RavenMad, a Cygnet & Swan production. The poem ‘Annabel Lee’ was originally written by Edgar Allan Poe. This adaptation was directed by Mary-Rose McLaren with sound design by Elizabeth Bradford and prepared for production by Alexandra Meerbach. 'Piano Sonata No. 14' was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven and performed for this episode by Marais van den Berg. Theme composed by Matt Shaw. This episode features the voice of Sasha Cuha as the Narrator. RavenMad is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation as the grateful recipient of the 2021 Jack Anderson Film Award grant. Cygnet & Swan wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which our podcast was produced. We also acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Wadawurrung people of Australia and the Khoi-San people of Southern Africa, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which this episode was recorded. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

    4 min
  7. The Raven

    EPISODE 6

    The Raven

    An old man recounts a fateful evening from his youth: on a dreary December evening, he was tormented by a raven who could speak but one word, ‘Nevermore’. This poem tells of his descent into an all consuming grief over the loss of his beloved Lenore.  Thank you for joining us for an episode of RavenMad, a Cygnet & Swan production. ‘The Raven’ was originally written by Edgar Allan Poe. This adaptation is directed by Alexandra Meerbach with sound design by Jacob Thompson and script adaptations by Alexandra Meerbach. Theme composed by Matt Shaw. This episode features the voices of Barry Kay as the Narrator, Jack Emond as the Grieving Man and Sasha Cuha as the Raven. RavenMad is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation as the grateful recipient of the 2021 Jack Anderson Film Award grant. Cygnet & Swan wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which our podcast was produced. We also acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Wadawurrung people, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which this episode was recorded. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Visit the RavenMad website to read more about our production or follow us on Instagram or Facebook for the latest updates.  If you love our podcast, you can support us by purchasing from the Cygnet & Swan RedBubble store. You can also sign up to the Cygnet & Swan mailing list to find out about our other projects in development.

    11 min
  8. The Masque of the Red Death

    EPISODE 7

    The Masque of the Red Death

    As a plague ravages the country, an arrogant young prince retreats to his secluded abbey to host a series of lavish parties for his wealthy noble friends. But the pestilence cannot be shut out and the Red Death stalks the richly gilded halls. Thank you for joining us for an episode of RavenMad, a Cygnet & Swan production. ‘The Masque of the Red Death’ was originally written by Edgar Allan Poe. This adaptation was directed by Olivia French with sound design and musical direction by Marli van der Bijl, editing by Elizabeth Bradford, music composition by Marais ven den Berg and script adaptation by Alexandra Meerbach. Our theme is by composer, Matt Shaw. This episode features the voices of Alexandra Meerbach as the Narrator, James Wait as Prince Prospero and Clare Hamer, Paul Robers, Zoe James, James Wait, Olivia French, Alexandra Meerbach and Marli Van Der Bijl as the revellers. RavenMad is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation as the grateful recipient of the 2021 Jack Anderson Film Award grant. Cygnet & Swan wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which our podcast was produced. We also acknowledge the Wadawurrung people of Australia and the Khoi-San people of Southern Africa, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which this episode was recorded. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Visit the RavenMad website to read more about our production or follow us on Instagram or Facebook for the latest updates.  If you love our podcast, you can support us by purchasing from the Cygnet & Swan RedBubble store. You can also sign up to the Cygnet & Swan mailing list to find out about our other projects in development.

    23 min
See All Season 1 (18)

About

Enter the macabre mind of gothic literature master, Edgar Allan Poe, as we bring thirteen classic tales to life with voice actors, sound effects and music. This production — conceived from the brilliant minds of Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach — features the voices of Australian actors, and is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation. RavenMad’s adaptation aims to grant listeners access to Poe’s arabesque world and ignite a passion for the sinister and sublime genre of gothic literature.

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