Cygnet & Swan presents RavenMad
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.
Episodes
18 episodes
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
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!<...
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!
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
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 Ra...
.jpg)
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...
%20(1).jpg)
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 L...
%20(3).jpg)
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.
.jpg)
The Tell-Tale Heart
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 origin...
.jpg)
The Bells
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.T...
%20(2).jpg)
More Ravin' and Ramblin'
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 up...
%20(2).jpg)
A Dream within a Dream
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 ...
%20(3).jpg)
Alone
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...
.jpg)
The Pit and the Pendulum (Part One)
An account of the soporific and excruciating torments endured by a prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition.CASTNarrator . . . Andrew SeearyJudges . . . Jack Emond, Barry Kay and James WaitChoir . . . Sam Daffy, David Floyd, Jere...
The Pit and the Pendulum (Part Two)
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 produc...
The Fall of the House of Usher (Part One)
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 TEAMDirector . . ....
The Fall of the House of Usher (Part Two)
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 TEAMDirector . . . Olivia FrenchSound Edit...
The Fall of the House of Usher (Part Three)
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 TEAMDirector . . . Olivia FrenchSound Editor . . . Jacob Thomp...
