Tales of the Night Sky | Greek & Roman Star Myths

In this, the final episode of Season 1, discover the surprising and shocking myth of Zagreus, the horned baby. Sensitive listeners be warned: the story contains violence and allusions to incest and rape. Adapted, narrated and directed by Bibi Jacob. Original music, sound and production by Geoff Chong. Extracts of Chloe Dunn’s music from the Persephone and Orpheus episode feature in the outro.

Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, recounts Orpheus’ extraordinary descent into her kingdom and her own shocking abduction. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Starring Chloe Dunn as Persephone and Chris Mack as Hermes. Original violin, viola and vocal compositions written and performed by Chloe Dunn.

Join us in the Underworld on the 31st October 2021

No sooner is he born than Baby Hermes leaps out of his cradle and embarks on a slapstick adventure to charm his way into the Olympian pantheon. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Production and sound by Geoff Chong. Starring: Chris Mack as Hermes. Margeaux Lampley as Maia. Kester Lovelace as Apollo. Joseph Marshall as the farmer. And Dario Costa as Zeus. Thanks, as ever, to Jean-Paul Palmyre for his support.

Hermes tries to make some order in the night sky in spite of Zeus’ meddling. Centuries later the Starlink mega-constellations disrupt everything…. Starring Chris Mack as Hermes and Dario Costa as Zeus. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Production and sound by Geoff Chong. A big thank you to Jean-Paul Palmyre at Studio Quali’sons, Paris.

Hera, the Queen of the Gods, is having trouble with her afternoon nap. One by one the memories of her husband’s betrayals return, building a devastating portrait of a dysfunctional marriage. (This story - like so many Greek myths - contains references to assault and violence.) Starring Natasha Cashman as Hera. Featuring Dario Costa as Zeus. Written, directed and presented by Bibi Jacob. Production and sound design by Geoff Chong. Enormous thanks to Jean-Paul Palmyre at Studio...

**SPOILER ALERT** This is an unofficial constellation myth! A strange phone call in the middle of the night leads to a conversation with a constellation. Written, directed and presented by Bibi Jacob. A big thank you to Mateo Oxley for his collaboration on the story. Starring Mateo Oxley as Equuleus. And featuring Geoff Chong. Production and sound design by Geoff Chong. Ian Ridpath’s Star Myths was a very helpful source. For a list of other sources you can visit our website.

Fly with me into this tapestry of tales, to mountains full of mythical beings. The winged horse Pegasus, the Muses, some gods, a centaur, the Chimaera, an anti-hero and a gadfly await you. This episode was written by Morag Cross. Directed and narrated by Bibi Jacob. Production and sound design by Geoff Chong. Starring Morag Cross as Hippe and the Gadfly. Gordon Peaston as Chiron. Dario Costa as Poseidon. And Sharon Mann as Athena. The Ukelele was played by Morag Cross.

An eclectic episode about plagues, magical arrows, cyclops and writer’s block. Written and presented by Bibi Jacob. Production and sound design by Geoff Chong. Much of the information about Abaris comes from kiwihellenist.blogspot.com Thanks to Pål Martin Tvete for recommending Tim Harford’s ‘Cautionary Tales’.

Enter the realm of dreams with Asclepius as he has to make the most difficult decision of his life. A decision that may lead to his death. Starring David Stanley as Asclepius, Sharon Mann as Athena, Bibi Jacob as Hygeia, Morag Cross as the Attendant, Chris Mack as Theseus, Gordon Peaston as Chiron, Christina Batman as Panacea Written, directed and presented by Bibi Jacob. Production, sound design by Geoff Chong. This podcast was made possible with the support of Studio Quali’sons,...

Corvus, the crow, is set to watch Apollo’s lover, the Princess Coronis. But when boundaries are transgressed, the consequences are gruesome in this tale of jealousy, rage and regret. Starring Nigel Pilkington as Corvus Written, directed and presented by Bibi Jacob. Production and sound design by Geoff Chong

What happened to the two drops of blood Erichthonius received from Athena? This intimate and moving diary reveals all. Starring Morag Cross as Creusa Oboe playing by Morag Cross Written, directed and presented by Bibi Jacob Production and sound design by Geoff Chong

A gold-tipped arrow, a gilded casket, a snake-tailed child and two drops of the gorgon’s blood. The goddess Athena narrates her tale of love and power. Starring Sharon Mann as Athena With Dario Costa as Hephaestus and Homer, Morag Cross as Daughter 2 and Bibi Jacob as Erichthonius and Daughter 1 Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Production and sound design by Geoff Chong Special thanks to Christine Hooper and to Jean-Paul Palmyre Recorded at Studio Quali’sons, Paris (Morag Cross...

Perseus is not happy and he’s about to tell you why. Starring Doug Rand as Perseus

How does the celebrated Ancient Greek hero, Perseus, change the course of Andromeda’s destiny and seal Medusa’s fate? And what does it really mean to be a hero? With Sharon Mann as Athena, Chris Mack as Hermes, Hester Wilcox as Danaë, Dario Costa as King Polydectes

At the heart of the Perseus-Andromeda myth lies the strange story of Medusa. In this in-between episode, enter Medusa’s cave, at the ends of the earth, to find out if she really was a monster.

Sit with Andromeda in the face of her oncoming death and witness her final moments. Her parents - King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopea - are organising their daughter’s demise. Will Vanity triumph over Love? An electrifying retelling of one of the most famous Greek myths.

Who on earth was Ursa Minor before she became a constellation? Find out in this light-hearted interview. With Shelly De Vito as the talk show host and Bibi Jacob as the Little Bear. Song written and performed by Bibi Jacob Special thanks to Jean-Paul (for being a star)

As if Callisto’s own life wasn’t tragic enough, in this episode we discover the horror that her baby son, Arcas, suffered. A tale of infanticide and cannibalism originating from the sins of the fathers.

Discover the story behind one of the best known constellations: Ursa Major, the Great Bear. This is the tale of Callisto, an Arcadian princess, who follows her dreams only to find herself confronting tragedy after tragedy. Listen to Callisto recount her devastating story, her painful metamorphosis and her astonishing, final transformation. With: Emily Ingham, Elizabeth Ingham, Shelly DeVito A huge thank you to Shelly, Jean-Paul and Mitchell