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.
Cygnet & Swan presents RavenMad
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!
CREATIVE TEAM
Director . . . Alexandra Meerbach
Sound Editor . . . Elizabeth Bradford
Composer . . . Matt Shaw
CAST
Narrator . . . Clare Hamer
The Knight . . . Barry Kay
The Shadow . . . Sasha Cuha
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer . . . Cygnet & Swan Productions
Co-Creators & Creative Directors . . . Olivia French and Alexandra Meerbach
Production Managers . . . Alexandra Meerbach and Elizabeth Bradford
Musical Consultant . . . Marli van der Bijl
Theme Composer . . . Matt Shaw
Marketing Coordinator . . . Elizabeth Bradford
RavenMad is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation, as the grateful recipient of the 2021 Jack Anderson Film Award grant.
We wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which our podcast was produced and 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.
Visit the RavenMad website to read more about our production or follow us on Instagram or Facebook for the latest updates.
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Intro 0:04
Hello, and welcome to RavenMad, a Cygnet and Swan adaptation of the poetry and prose of legendary gothic writer, Edgar Allan Poe. Journey with our knight so bold on a quest for happiness, for glory, for power, for the luminous land of Eldorado.
Narrator 0:33
Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.
Narrator 0:48
But he grew old—
This knight so bold—
And o’er his heart a shadow—
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.
And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow—
The Knight 1:08
Shadow.
Narrator 1:09
Said he.
The Knight 1:09
Where can it be—
This land of Eldorado?
The Shadow 1:14
Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride.
Narrator 1:24
The shade replied.
The Shadow 1:26
If you seek for Eldorado!
Outro 1:40
Thank you for listening to another episode of Cygnet and Swan's production of RavenMad. Eldorado was originally written by Edgar Allan Poe. This adaptation was directed by Alexandra Meerbach, edited by Elizabeth Bradford with musical elements composed by Matt Shaw. This episode was narrated by Clare Hamer and featured the voices of Barry Kay as The Knight and Sasha Cuha as The Shadow. Did you know that this poem was written in the last year of Poe's life? And, just like the gallant knight of which he wrote, he too, soon meet the shadow. RavenMad is proudly supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation, as the grateful recipient of the 2021 Jack Anderson Film Award grant. Cygnet and Swan wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which our podcast was produced. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways, and pay our respects to their Elders past and emerging. Won't you join us for a drink? Do join us next time for The Cask of Amontillado.