Tales of the Night Sky

Some say Hera birthed the monstrous Typhon, others that it was Gaia, the Earth. Whoever it was wanted to challenge Zeus and create a new order in the cosmos.   Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Featuring Sandy Bernard as Hera. Narrated by Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Sources include Nonnus' ‘Dionysiaca', Euripides' ‘Prometheus Bound', the ‘Homeric Hymn to Apollo',  Hesiod's Theogony, Roberto Calasso's 'The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony' and Aratus' ‘Phaenomena.' We were also loosely inspired by the philosophical concept of ‘musica universalis'.

It's party time in Olympus. Heracles, the hero is now a god and about to be adopted by Hera. Before the rebirthing ceremony begins, he and the Queen of the gods must make peace in spite of all their suffering and loss. *Sensitive listeners be aware - some of this episode is gruesome* Written by Doug Rand and Bibi Jacob. Directed by Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Featuring:  Doug Rand as Heracles, Sandy Bernard as Hera, Kester Lovelace as Apollo, Chris Mack as Hermes, Dario Costa as Zeus, Hephaestus and the groom, David Stanley as Diomedes, and Bibi Jacob as Hebe. Recorded at the SACD studios in Paris.  The quote comes from Diodorus Siculus' Library of History, Book 4, in a translation by CH Oldfather. Aristotle refers to Heracles in Book 3 of his Politics. For our other sources, check out our website!

What connects a golden-fleeced ram, a goddess crafted from clouds and  a set of twins? Davina the Diviner reveals all. The key to your destiny may lie in the stars.   Written by Morag Cross. Directed by Bibi Jacob. Featuring: Morag Cross as Verity, Helle & Nephele, Bibi Jacob as Davina & Ino. Tom Morton as Aeëtes and the Messenger. Ciaran Cresswell as Phrixos. Nigel Pilkington as the Newspaper and Market Vendors.   Sound and production by Geoff Chong.   A big thanks to Nige.  

Laelaps, Europa's yellow dog, has forgotten what love is, until Procris enters his life. His devotion to her will lead him to some unexpected places in this heartbreaking tale of loyalty and treachery. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob.  Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Narrated by Sandy Bernard. Featuring Rufo Quintavalle as Minos and Zelda Rittner as Procris. And also featuring the lovely dogs, Luna and Gus. With huge thanks to their mistresses, Sandy and Gaëlle. Check out the substack Stelliferous for more on the constellations.

This epic and madcap episode concludes Ariadne's story. It takes us into the heart of the labyrinth and up into the heavens with the constellation of the Northen Crown - Corona Borealis. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Featuring: Tom Morton as Silenus, Charlotte Donnelly as Psalakantha, Nigel Pilkington as Dionysus. Bibi Jacob as Ariadne, Rufo Quintavalle as Minos, Ciaran Cresswell as Theseus.   Original violin loops by Chloe Dunn Sound and production by Geoff Chong.

Pasiphaë, Queen of Crete, pays the price when her husband breaks his oath to Poseidon and refuses to sacrifice the Cretan Bull. In a letter to her daughter, Ariadne, she explains the terrible events that lead to the birth of the Minotaur. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Featuring Rose Romain as Pasiphaë and Bibi Jacob as Ariadne. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Sources include ‘Euripides Dramatic Fragments - Cretans' and of course Roberto Calasso's ‘The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony.'

When Dionysus, god of wine and insanity, appears to Ariadne, determined to marry her, she tells him the tale of her ancestor Io.  Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. With Nigel Pilkington as Dionysus and Bibi Jacob as Ariadne. Original violin loops were created and performed by Chloe Dunn. Sound and production by Geoff Chong.    Sources include: Aeschylus' 'Prometheus Bound', Moschus' poem 'Europa', Walter Otto's ‘Dionysus: Myth and Cult' and Roberto Calasso's ‘The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony,'  

Ariadne has been abandoned on the island of Naxos by Theseus. As she battles with heartache and homesickness she remembers her grandmother Europa. Written and narrated by Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Sources for this re-telling include Moschus' poem ‘Europa'; Roberto Calasso's ‘The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony,' and Ariadne's letter to Theseus from Ovid's ‘Heroides' which you can hear me read on Late Night Classics: S1 E4: Heroides – Ariadne to Theseus

Discover our new show and follow us on your favourite podcast player!  For more info, visit https://lnclassics.talesofthenightsky.com

How do a slipper and an eagle lead to love?  Hermes explains all.    Written by Chris Mack with Bibi Jacob. Featuring Chris Mack and Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong.   Discover our new show, Late Night Classics

You may know them as the Dioscuri - sons of Zeus - or as the Gemini Twins. In this episode discover the very unusal afterlife of the inimitable Castor and Polydeuces. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Starring David Stanley as Polydeuces, Kester Lovelace as Castor and Chris Mack as Hermes. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Recorded at the SACD studios in Paris.  The quote from the Homeric Hymn to the Dioscuri comes from the  Evelyn-White translation.

In this final Trojan episode, the ghosts of the war rise up and tell tales of loss and consolation.  Sensitive listeners be aware  - some of the stories are disturbing. Written and narrated by Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Extracts from 17314 Aisakos and 884 Priamus feature Ciaran Cresswell and Les Clack. A thank you to Chloe Dunn.

Andromache appears in the university observatory to recount her tragic tale. 175 Andromache is a main-belt asteroid – not a Trojan in the L4 or L5 Lagrange points in Jupiter's orbit. But since her character is central to the Trojan war, we've included her in this special series.  Written and directed by KJ Dwyer. Edited by Bibi Jacob. With Mia Leahy as Dardana and Kate Colebrook as Petra. Original violin and vocal compositions written and performed by Chloe Dunn. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Recorded at the SACD studios, Paris. You can listen to more of Chloe Dunn's beautiful music, on becaflor.com / Bècaflor Teaser

Strange things happen one night, in a university observatory as Éloi struggles to stay awake and observe the 617 Patroclus asteroid. Written and directed by KJ Dwyer. With KJ Dwyer as Elio. Mitchell Moreno as Patroclus. Ken Starcevic as  Menoetius. Bibi Jacob as the radio announcer. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. The actors recorded at the SACD Podcast Studio, Paris. And in London - with huge thanks to Nigel Pilkington.

Achilles, ‘the best of the Greeks', slaughters Trojans mercilessly as he battles with his own grief and regrets.  Starring Tom Morton. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Production and sound by Geoff Chong.

There's an eerie stillness in the port town of Aulis when Iphigenia arrives there for her wedding. What exactly will it take to bring back the winds and allow the Greek ships to sail to Troy? An original series co-created with KJ Dwyer, featuring collaborations with several writers. 
With thanks to Chris Mack for the concept of the Trojan asteroids, sparked off in our writers group. Written and performed by Julie Kayla. Directed by Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong Outro by Bibi Jacob.

In this second Trojan episode, King Priam remembers all that was lost in the first terrible siege of Troy. An original series co-created with KJ Dwyer, featuring collaborations with several writers.  With thanks to Chris Mack for the concept of the Trojan asteroids, sparked off in our writers group. Starring Les Clack.  Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Original violin compositions and playing by Chloe Dunn. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Recorded at the SACD Podcast Studio, Paris.  If you want to listen to more of Chloe Dunn's beautiful music, click on the links: becaflor.com / Bècaflor Teaser

In this special series, Tales of the NIght Sky takes you into the heart of a large group of asteroids that orbit with Jupiter around the sun. These two camps of heavenly bodies - the Greeks leading and the Trojans trailing Jupiter  - are known as the Trojan asteroids. Each identified asteroid is named after a protagonist in Homer's Iliad. And these characters find themselves locked in orbit, endlessly reliving the trauma of war. This original series was co-created with KJ Dwyer and features collaborations with several writers.  With thanks to Chris Mack for the unique concept, sparked off in our writers group. In the first of the Trojans, the seer Aisakos interprets Queen Hecuba's dream. Starring Ciaran Cresswell. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Introduction written by KJ Dywer and Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Useful sources for this episode: theoi.com , spannycattroy.livejournal.com

She was known as Helen of Sparta until her face launched a thousand ships and started the Trojan War. Now Helen of Troy examines the multiple versions of her life - sifting through the beauty and sorrow - as the battle rages on outside. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Starring Hester Wilcox as Helen. Original violin, vocal and bodhrán compositions written and performed by Chloe Dunn. Sound and production by Geoff Chong.  If you want to listen to more of Chloe Dunn's beautiful music, click on the links: becaflor.com / Bècaflor Teaser

Where is Justice? Who is she? And what does she have to do with the Trojan war? Written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Starring Sandy Bernard and Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong.  

Can Eos, goddess of the dawn, really love the Trojan prince Tithonus for all eternity? Written and narrated by Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong.

The party in the sea realm is fizzling out and the gossip Kat* finds herself left behind by her friend Lalli.* While looking for him, she stumbles upon a terrible truth. *KATALALIA meaning gossip or defamation in Ancient Greek. Written by Morag Cross. Starring Morag Cross as Kat. Featuring Nigel Pilkington and Doug Rand. Directed by Bibi Jacob. Production and sound by Geoff Chong. All ‘Kithara' strumming by Morag Cross. The sea shanty is an original violin and vocal composition written and performed by Chloe Dunn and remixed by Geoff Chong. The track, ‘Ain't Nobody's Business,' is by the Underscore Orkestra.

It's party time in the sea realm - the Nereid Amphitrite is about to wed Poseidon - but she's having second thoughts. Can her sister Thetis persuade her to tie the knot in time? And what's really behind the ominous rumours the party guests are spreading? This episode was written and directed by Bibi Jacob. Production and sound design by Geoff Chong. It stars: Sharon Mann as Thetis. Elizabeth Wautlet as Amphitrite. Sandy Bernard as Doto. Nigel Pilkington and Morag Cross as the Gossips, Lalli and Kat. Doug Rand as Peleus. Dharni Mistry as the child. Bibi Jacob and Doug Rand as party guests.  The actors recorded in studios in both Paris and London. A huge thank you to Marie Prevost at Voice Addict Studio, Paris, for her support. And thank you to Nigel Pilkington for the London recording. And an enormous thank you to the wonderful Underscore Orkestra - https://www.theunderscoreorkestra.com - for permission to use their music. These tracks feature at the party:  Swing Gitane; It Ain't Right; Blue Drag; I'se a Muggin.

Ganymede, Prince of Troy, shuns the company of men and only finds pleasure in nature. But when his exceptional beauty comes to the attention of men and gods, his life will never be the same. This episode was written and performed by Mitchell Moreno.  Direction by Bibi Jacob. Sound and production by Geoff Chong. Recorded in the studio of the National Theatre, London with Richard Coleby as sound engineer. Thanks to Suzanne Diakun. And thanks to Michel - for his help - and Jean René at Studio Scopitone, Paris. 

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.

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 Quali’sons, Paris. The Ovid quote comes from Vol. 1 of Frank Justus Miller’s translation of ‘The Metamorphoses’ published by the Loeb Classical Library.

**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, Paris. A huge thank you, as ever, to Jean-Paul Palmyre. A big thanks to Morag Cross.

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 recorded in London) Quote from Martin Hammond’s translation of Homer’s Iliad (4.17)

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

This trailer introduces you to our immersive audio drama podcast. Created by Bibi Jacob and Geoff Chong.