Event Category: Storytelling

Terror in the Dark: The Chilling Story of Live Horror Radio – Zoom talk with Richard Hand

Everyone has heard of The War of the Worlds, the (in)famous 1938 broadcast that supposedly sent America into a panic. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This talk will lure you into the weird, wild world of horror radio from the 1920s to the 1950s, the golden age of live broadcasting. Long before podcasts and streaming, radio ruled the airwaves, bringing thrilling, terrifying stories directly into the intimacy of people’s homes. Live, unfiltered, and often shockingly and gruesomely extreme (even to our modern ears), horror radio shows like The Witch’s Tale, The Hermit’s Cave, Lights Out, Suspense, and Quiet, Please pushed the boundaries of storytelling with superb scriptwriting, ingenious sound effects, spine-chilling performances, and unforgettable hosts. These weren’t just spooky tales, they were immersive experiences that haunted the imaginations of millions.

This vivid talk will explore how horror found a perfect home in the invisible world of sound, how brilliant personalities were drawn to the genre, how stations competed to outdo each other in shock value and artistry, and how this era shaped modern audio storytelling. Expect moments of gore, ghostly sounds, and grisly secrets behind the microphone – plus a few surprises that may still give you goosebumps.

This talk is a love letter to a lost era of live horror radio – and a celebration of its enduring power to scare us senseless.

Are you brave enough to listen?

 

Richard J. Hand is Professor of Media Practice and Head of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. He has a particular interest in historical forms of popular culture, especially horror, and is the author of two books on horror radio drama; the co-author (with Michael Wilson) of four books on Grand-Guignol horror theatre; the co-editor (with Jay McRoy) of two volumes on gothic/horror cinema; and the co-editor (with Mark O’Thomas) of a collection of essays on American Horror Story. As well as an academic, he is a theatre director and award-winning radio writer, including as lead dramatist for the National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre on the Air podcast drama which, in 2020, was archived by the Library of Congress for its ‘historical and cultural significance’.

Your curator and host for this event will be the writer Edward Parnell, author of Ghostland: In Search of a Haunted Country. Ghostland (William Collins, 2019), a work of narrative non-fiction, is a moving exploration of what has haunted our writers and artists – as well as the author’s own haunted past; it was shortlisted for the PEN Ackerley 2020 prize, an award given to a literary autobiography of excellence. Edward’s first novel The Listeners (2014), won the Rethink New Novels Prize. His latest book is Eerie East Anglia (pub. Aug 2024) for the British Library’s Tales of the Weird series. For further info see: https://edwardparnell.com

Don’t worry if you can’t make the live event on the night – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day.

 

[Image: Boris Karloff performing in a radio play.]

Nordic Midsummer Stories – Lena Heide Brennand – Zoom

Nordic Midsummer Stories

Join us for an enchanting lecture that transports you to the heart of Scandinavia, where the magic of midsummer comes alive through captivating stories and folklore! As the sun shines brightest and the nights are filled with enchanting possibilities, discover the rich tapestry of midsummer traditions that have been passed down through generations. From tales of mythical creatures dancing in the twilight to the spirited celebrations that honor the earth’s bounty, these stories reflect the deep connection between the people and their natural surroundings. We’ll explore the vibrant customs, rituals, and legends that define this magical season, shedding light on how midsummer shapes cultural identities and community bonds across the Nordic countries. Perfect for lovers of folklore and those curious about Scandinavian heritage, this lecture promises to inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the age-old stories that continue to illuminate our world. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the joyous spirit of midsummer.

Bio:

Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience

don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

Seances and the Female Medium in British Cinema – a Zoom talk with Icy Sedgwick – Zoom

Victorian Spiritualism offered women a tantalising glimpse of freedom through the financial earning power and social status provided to popular mediums. Indeed, while male mediums did exist and regularly toured Britain, it is the figure of the female medium that has characterised how we view these seance leaders in contemporary popular culture. Michelle Yeoh plays one such figure in the latest Poirot film, A Haunting in Venice. This talk will explore how the female medium has been represented in a selection of British films, including The Stone Tape, Quatermass and the Pit, and The Others.

 

Icy Sedgwick has recently completed a PhD exploring the representation of the haunted house in contemporary Hollywood horror films. She runs the Fabulous Folklore podcast, investigating European folklore and its appearances in popular culture. In case she tires of the research, Icy also writes dark fantasy and Gothic horror fiction.

Your host for this event will be the writer Edward Parnell, author of Ghostland: In Search of a Haunted Country. Ghostland, a work of narrative non-fiction, is a moving exploration of what has haunted our writers and artists – as well as the author’s own haunted past; it was shortlisted for the PEN Ackerley 2020 prize, an award given to a literary autobiography of excellence. Edward’s first novel The Listeners (2014), won the Rethink New Novels Prize. He recently edited Eerie East Anglia: Fearful Tales of Field and Fen (2024) for the British Library’s Tales of the Weird series. For further info see:
https://edwardparnell.com

Don’t worry if you can’t make the talk live on the night – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

[Photo: a publicity still from the 1964 British crime thriller Seance on a Wet Afternoon]

Arthur Conan Doyle’s Tales of the Supernatural – by James Machin – Zoom

Best known as the creator of the arch-rationalist Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) also had a deep fascination with the supernatural, which found expression in his eerie, Gothic fiction. This talk delves into the spectral terror, weird horror, and occult intrigue of Doyle’s lesser-known stories in the genre. His fascination with the supernatural shaped his fiction throughout his career, from early tales of Arctic fright and ancient curses to later works exploring spiritualism, psychic phenomena, and the limits of human perception. Beyond the page, Doyle’s unwavering belief in the unseen – particularly spiritualism – became a defining aspect of his public life during his later years, drawing admiration from spiritualist circles but controversy from elsewhere.

Join us for an evening of spectral visitations, haunted minds, and the blurred line between science and faith.

 

James Machin is an editor, researcher, and writer who lives in Tring. Recent books include British Weird: Selected Short Fiction, 1893–1937 for Handheld Press – and his short fiction has been published in Supernatural Tales, The Shadow Booth, and Weirdbook. His edition of Conan Doyle’s 1895 novel The Stark Munro Letters for Edinburgh University Press was published in 2024 and he has since commenced work in his next volume in the same series, Conan Doyle’s 1908 collection of ‘grotesque’ tales, Round the Fire Stories. More information about the Edinburgh Conan Doyle Project can be found here:
https://edinburgh-conan-doyle.org/

Your host for this event will be the writer Edward Parnell, author of Ghostland: In Search of a Haunted Country. Ghostland, a work of narrative non-fiction, is a moving exploration of what has haunted our writers and artists – as well as the author’s own haunted past; it was shortlisted for the PEN Ackerley 2020 prize, an award given to a literary autobiography of excellence. Edward’s first novel The Listeners (2014), won the Rethink New Novels Prize. He recently edited Eerie East Anglia: Fearful Tales of Field and Fen (2024) for the British Library’s Tales of the Weird series. For further info see:
https://edwardparnell.com

 

Don’t worry if you can’t make the talk live on the night – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

International Women Day Special – Witches and Bitches – Lena Heide-Brennand

International Women Day Special – Witches and Bitches

“Huldre, witches, and bitches – Views on women through the ages.” It’s quite peculiar , but women have always posed a bit of a challenge for society throughout all eras. Just think of the philosophical discussions the ancient Greeks had many centuries before our era, where respected men in society gathered to speculate on whether women could actually be categorized as human beings or merely as bothersome creatures. They concluded that women should not be taken seriously. The perception of women has changed countless times through the ages. Women have been seductresses, nightmares, huldre, witches, and bitches. They have been labelled hysterical beings destined to stay within the walls of the home, dedicating their lives to their husbands, children, and the household. Women have changed politics, academia, finance, and the workforce. They have been the muses of art, the goddesses of the catwalk, and the eternal headache of the conservative patriarchy. Welcome to an informative and entertaining lecture where we dive into the history of the societal role of the woman and the development of the feminist movement.

Bio:

Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience, Lena’s New Book – Mythical Creatures in Scandinavian Folklore is now available on Amazon

don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

The Unsettling Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ – with Antony Clayton – Zoom

Mansion of Gloom: The Unsettling Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’

Edgar Allan Poe’s atmospheric tale of madness and premature burial has intrigued and disconcerted readers ever since it first appeared in 1839. In the twentieth century, it attracted interpretations from all fields of artistic creativity: film, television, theatre, opera, music, literature and art.

There have been around twenty film and television adaptations: European filmmakers, from the aesthete Impressionist Jean Epstein in 1928 to schlockmeister Jess Franco in the 1980s, American directors Roger Corman and Curtis Harrington, Czech animation wizard Jan Svankmajer, and British directors such as Ken Russell and Ivan Barnett, whose 1946 adaptation was filmed at a Hastings guesthouse which at the time was the home of notorious occultist Aleister Crowley. Roderick Usher has been played by many eminent actors including Martin Landau, Denholm Elliott, Oliver Reed and, of course, Vincent Price.

The story remains relevant – 2020 saw the release of Lady Usher and in 2023 horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan created the acclaimed eight-episode series The Fall of the House of Usher for Netflix. Musically it has inspired an opera by Philip Glass, an unfinished opera by Debussy and concept albums by The Alan Parsons Project, Peter Hammill and Lou Reed. Steven Berkoff has adapted the story for the stage, Ray Bradbury wrote a science fiction story ‘Usher II’ and numerous artists including Arthur Rackham, Harry Clarke, Alastair and Leonor Fini have produced illustrations.

The House of Usher’s fortunes continue to rise.

 

About the Speaker

London-born and now living in Hastings, Antony Clayton is the author of Subterranean City: Beneath the Streets of London (2001 & 2010), London’s Coffee Houses (2003), Decadent London (2005, 2019), Secret Tunnels of England, Folklore and Fact (September 2015), Netherwood: Last Resort of Aleister Crowley (2012 & 2017) and Mansion of Gloom: The Unsettling Legacy of Poe’s ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ (December 2024). He has given talks at the British Library, ICA, Conway Hall, Freemason’s Hall and various other venues in and out of London.

Your curator and host for this event will be the writer Edward Parnell, author of Ghostland: In Search of a Haunted Country. Ghostland (William Collins, 2019), a work of narrative non-fiction, is a moving exploration of what has haunted our writers and artists – as well as the author’s own haunted past; it was shortlisted for the PEN Ackerley 2020 prize, an award given to a literary autobiography of excellence. Edward’s first novel The Listeners (2014), won the Rethink New Novels Prize. His latest book is Eerie East Anglia (pub. Aug 2024) for the British Library’s Tales of the Weird series. For further info see: https://edwardparnell.com

Don’t worry if you can’t make the live event on the night – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day.

[Image: a scene from Roger Corman’s 1960 adaptation of The Fall of the House of Usher.]

The Birth of Horror: Exploring Early 1900s Horror Cinema – Lena Heide-Brennand – Zoom

The Birth of Horror: Exploring Early 1900s Horror Cinema

Join us for a captivating lecture on the origins of horror cinema, delving into the eerie and groundbreaking films of the early 1900s. Discover how pioneering filmmakers like Georges Méliès and F.W. Murnau crafted some of the first horror masterpieces, such as “Le Manoir du Diable” (1896) and “Nosferatu” (1922). We’ll explore the cultural and historical contexts that influenced these early works, the innovative techniques used to create suspense and fear, and the lasting impact these films have had on the genre.

We’ll also examine the profound impact of silent films on the horror genre. Without the use of sound, early filmmakers relied heavily on visual storytelling, expressive acting, and innovative special effects to convey terror and suspense. This era laid the foundation for many of the visual and thematic elements that continue to define horror cinema today.

Additionally, we’ll discuss the transition to sound in horror films and how it revolutionised the genre. The introduction of sound brought new dimensions of fear through eerie sound effects, chilling scores, and the power of dialogue. This transition allowed filmmakers to create more immersive and psychologically complex horror experiences, forever changing the landscape of horror cinema.

Whether you’re a horror aficionado or a curious newcomer, this lecture promises to be a spine-chilling journey into the dawn and evolution of horror cinema.

Bio:

Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience, Lena’s New Book – Mythical Creatures in Scandinavian Folklore is now available on Amazon

don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

Horror and Hilarity: The Théâtre du Grand-Guignol – a Zoom talk with Richard Hand – Zoom

The Théâtre du Grand-Guignol (1897–1962), tucked away in the cobblestoned alleys of Pigalle, Paris, earned a notorious and legendary reputation as the “Theatre of Horror”. Specialising in short plays, it offered audiences an unforgettable blend of gruesome horror and raucous comedy. With its intimate stage and macabre allure, the theatre became a magnet for thrill-seekers, drawing both a loyal local audience and daring tourists. Nestled in a neighbourhood infamous for its brothels and gangs, the Grand-Guignol perfected a unique formula which alternated between realistic slice-of-death dramas and grotesque tales of murder, madness, and depravity. The visceral impact of these performances often led spectators to faint or vomit, requiring the assistance of the theatre’s in-house doctor. Yet, laughter mingled with gasps, as bawdy comedies lightened the tension between the chilling scenes.

While the original Grand-Guignol closed its doors in the 1960s, its influence persists in modern horror across media. Its ingenious blend of terror and humour laid the groundwork for subsequent live horror performances, inspiring immersive experiences and theatrical companies around the world. Academic and theatre director Richard Hand will shed light on the enduring legacy of this remarkable theatre, talking us through the vivid history, shocking artistry, and profound cultural impact of this legendary institution.

 

Richard J. Hand is Professor of Media Practice and Head of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. He has a particular interest in historical forms of popular culture, especially horror, and is the author of two books on horror radio drama; the co-author (with Michael Wilson) of four books on Grand-Guignol horror theatre; the co-editor (with Jay McRoy) of two volumes on gothic/horror cinema; and the co-editor (with Mark O’Thomas) of a collection of essays on American Horror Story. As well as an academic, he is a theatre director and award-winning radio writer, including as lead dramatist for the National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre on the Air podcast drama which, in 2020, was archived by the Library of Congress for its ‘historical and cultural significance’.

Your curator and host for this event will be the writer Edward Parnell, author of Ghostland: In Search of a Haunted Country. Ghostland (William Collins, 2019), a work of narrative non-fiction, is a moving exploration of what has haunted our writers and artists – as well as the author’s own haunted past; it was shortlisted for the PEN Ackerley 2020 prize, an award given to a literary autobiography of excellence. Edward’s first novel The Listeners (2014), won the Rethink New Novels Prize. His latest book is Eerie East Anglia (pub. Aug 2024) for the British Library’s Tales of the Weird series. For further info see: https://edwardparnell.com

Don’t worry if you can’t make the live event on the night – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day.

 

[Image: a montage of various vintage Grand Guignol play posters.]

Icelandic Horror Stories – Lena Heide Brennand – Zoom

Icelandic Horror Stories

Join us for an enthralling lecture exploring the haunting world of Icelandic horror stories, where ancient myths intertwine with contemporary tales of terror. Delve into the eerie ghosts of the Old Norse Sagas, where legendary figures and supernatural beings roam the rugged landscapes of Iceland, leaving a trail of mystery and dread. From the chilling tales of the undead guarding their graves, to the spectral apparitions that haunt modern Icelandic folklore, this lecture will take you on a journey through the dark corners of Icelandic culture. Experience how these stories reflect the nation’s deep-rooted fears and beliefs, evolving from the ancient past to resonate with today’s themes of isolation and existential dread. Prepare for a spine-tingling exploration of a land where history and horror collide, revealing the enduring power of storytelling in Iceland.

Bio:

Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience

don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

Halloween Folklore and Ghost Stories – Brice Stratford – Zoom

Halloween Folklore and Ghost Stories

Halloween. The night when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. When ghosts walk and corpses writhe, and innocent souls had best beware.

Let award winning storyteller Brice Stratford take you on a wild and witchy ride, fascinating and unnerving in equal measure, through the twists and turns of Allhallowstide, and the forgotten history of Halloween and the wider Hallowmas season.  With ghost stories, ancestor worship, bone fires, otherworld pixies, Pagan belief and archaic, Christian mythology along the way, Stratford shares for the first time the deeper tales and stranger lore that lurk beneath the tricks and treats we know so well, and the ancient flame that keeps the Jack O’Lantern lit.  Light the candles, lock the doors, and prepare to be unsettled. Are you sitting comfortably? Then let’s begin.

Bio

Brice Stratford is an actor, storyteller, theatre director, folklorist, historian and former stuntman. Born and raised in the New Forest, he’s a regular fixture at folk, fringe and fright events across the country with his award-winning theatre company, the Owle Schreame. He currently sits on the board of the New Forest National Park Authority, and writes regularly on culture, heritage, architecture and the arts for a range of periodicals. In 2024 he launched the Finding Folklore podcast, an expansive storytelling and research project designed to unearth the hidden lore beneath the humdrum veneer of modern England. This talk accompanies the release of Brice’s third book on mythology and folklore, Halloween Folklore and Ghost Stories.

Curated & Hosted by

Marguerite Johnson is a cultural historian of the ancient Mediterranean, specialising in sexuality and gender, particularly in the poetry of Sappho, Catullus, and Ovid, as well as magical traditions in Greece, Rome, and the Near East. She also researches Classical Reception Studies, with a regular focus on Australia. In addition to ancient world studies, Marguerite is interested in sexual histories in modernity as well as magic in the west more broadly, especially the practices and art of Australian witch, Rosaleen Norton. She is Honorary Professor of Classics and Ancient History at The University of Queensland, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day