Cygnet & Swan presents RavenMad

Desperate to prove their sanity, an unnamed Narrator recounts the events which drove them to commit an unspeakable act.

Thank you for joining us for an episode of RavenMad, a Cygnet & Swan production. ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ was originally written by Edgar Allan Poe. This adaptation was directed by Alexandra Meerbach with sound design by Marli van der Bijl, music by Matt Shaw and script adaptations by Alexandra Meerbach.

This episode is narrated by Olivia French and features the voice of Barry Kay as the Old Man with Gabriel Blake and James Wait as the policemen.

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 and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung 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.

The Lady Madeline is lost and her brother’s condition worsens still. Can he escape the affliction plaguing his family or will his own actions be his undoing?

CREATIVE TEAM
Director . . . Olivia French
Sound Editor . . . Jacob Thompson
Script Adaptation . . . Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach

CAST
Narrator . . . Jack Emond
Roderick Usher . . . Jagaraj
Madeline Usher . . . 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. We also acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung 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 and present, and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples.

Despite his friend’s best endeavours, Roderick’s melancholy persists and his sister's malady seemingly has fatal consequences. Can the Usher family survive their supposed curse?

CREATIVE TEAM
Director . . . Olivia French
Sound Editor . . . Jacob Thompson
Script Adaptation . . . Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach

CAST
Narrator . . . Jack Emond
Roderick Usher . . . Jagaraj
Madeline Usher . . . Marli van der Bijl
Physician . . . Barry Kay

'The Haunted Palace' vocal line by Matt Shaw and sung by 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. We also acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung 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 and present, and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples.

Having received an urgent letter from his boyhood friend, a man travels to be at his side… only to discover his friend is much changed. And his sister is afflicted with an even more debilitating condition.

CREATIVE TEAM
Director . . . Olivia French
Sound Editor . . . Jacob Thompson
Script Adaptation . . . Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach

CAST
Narrator . . . Jack Emond
Roderick Usher . . . Jagaraj
Madeline Usher . . . Marli van der Bijl
Physician . . . Barry Kay
Valet . . . James Wait
Servant . . . Kyle Robinson

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 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 and present, and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples.

A prisoner trapped in the depths of Toledo, sentenced by the Spanish Inquisition. Will he survive their torture, or perhaps he will succumb to despair first?

Thank you for joining us for an episode of RavenMad, a Cygnet & Swan production.

CREATIVE TEAM
Director . . .  Olivia French
Assistant Director . . . Alexandra Meerbach
Sound Editor . . . Elizabeth Bradford
Musical Director . . . Marli van der Bijl
Composer . . . Marais van den Berg
Choir . . . Sam Daffy, David Floyd, Jeremy Wong and Marli van der Bijl
Atmospheric Music . . . yewbic from freesound.org
Composer . . . Matt Shaw

CAST
Narrator . . . Andrew Seeary

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.

An account of the soporific and excruciating torments endured by a prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition.

CAST
Narrator . . . Andrew Seeary
Judges . . . Jack Emond, Barry Kay and James Wait
Choir . . . Sam Daffy, David Floyd, Jeremy Wong and Marli van der Bijl

CREATIVE TEAM
Director . . .  Olivia French
Assistant Director . . . Alexandra Meerbach
Sound Editor . . . Elizabeth Bradford
Musical Director . . . Marli van der Bijl
Composer . . . Marais van den Berg
Atmospheric Music . . . yewbic from freesound.org
Theme Composer . . . Matt Shaw

Thank you for joining us for an episode of RavenMad, a Cygnet & Swan production.

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.

The experience of perceiving life and emotions differently to others often results in feelings of loneliness and isolation. 

Thank you for joining us for an episode of RavenMad, a Cygnet & Swan production. ‘Alone’ was originally written by Edgar Allan Poe. This adaptation was directed and edited by Elizabeth Bradford.

This episode is narrated by Alexandra Meerbach.

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.

Drift off into delirium and hope, against hope, that you wake. This poem laments tragic loss and grapples with the relentless passing of time.

Thank you for joining us for an episode of RavenMad, a Cygnet & Swan production. ‘A Dream within a Dream’ was originally written by Edgar Allan Poe. This adaptation was directed by Alexandra Meerbach with sound design by Elizabeth Bradford and music by Marli van der Bijl.

This episode features the voice of 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. 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.

Creative directors Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach return to the mic by popular demand (read: one person). They delve into Edgar Allan Poe’s dark, grief-filled personal history and consider the events that likely had significant impacts upon his writing. They also discuss the literary devices masterfully employed by Poe and analyse the most recently released poetry and prose adaptations.

What would you like to hear in another episode of Ravin’ and Ramblin’? As accomplished theatre makers and literary nerds, Alex and Olivia need little encouragement, so please ask away!

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.

A melodic poem of ringing and resounding, tolling and rolling, pealing and knelling bells. These clamouring sounds build and personify bell sounds as symbols of four milestones of human experience—childhood, youth, maturity, and death.

Thank you for joining us for an episode of RavenMad, a Cygnet & Swan production. ‘The Bells’ was originally written by Edgar Allan Poe. This adaptation was directed and edited by Alexandra Meerbach with Elizabeth Bradford and sound design by Michael Groth. Our theme is by composer, Matt Shaw.

This episode features the voices of the Mad Swan Harmonics choral speaking choir: Gabriel Blake, Alexandra Meerbach, Emma Hampson, Amber Jones, Skye Wilkins, Zoe James, Eloise McGifford, Lilly Jones and Georgia Marshall.

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, 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.

Attributions for this production can be found here.