A great interview with Dave Brewis, the filmmaker behind the incredible new TV series 'Gatherings', a documentary following the folk customs and gatherings in the UK. We chat about filming Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing, The Haxey Hood, Bonfire in Rye, Jedburgh Hand Ba, Abbots Bromley Horn Dance and the Burry Man.
Authentic approach using the voices of the people
The atmosphere of these large folk gatherings
Folklore and folk gatherings bringing harmony and togetherness
Watch the series here at gatherings.tv
Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and YouTube movies.
We have also discussed similar folk gatherings in some previous episodes
Hastings Jack in the Green - https://dreamswarm-podcast.castos.com/episodes/jack-in-the-green-hastings-jack
Mummers Plays - https://dreamswarm-podcast.castos.com/episodes/christmas-mummers-plays-wantage-mummers
Krampus Runs - https://dreamswarm-podcast.castos.com/episodes/krampus-with-al-ridenhour
24 Jun 2025
LQBTQ characters in Indian Mythology
Screenwriter Jarod Winchester discusses representations of LGBTQ characters within Hindu mythology, folklore, and fantasy, revealing their influence on his creative work in this interview.
19 Aug 2024
Fantasy Folklore Novels - With Alexandra Beaumont
We are re-joined by returning heroine Alexandra Beaumont, auther of new fantasy novel 'Dissonance of Birdsong'. We chat about how her new novel has been influenced by folklore and by her experiences of Cornwall.
New novel 'Dissonance of Birdsong'
Influence of folklore
Landscape and environment of Cornwall
Tropes and trends in fantasy
Tips for generating creative ideas
You can buy 'Dissonance of Birdsong' and her other fantasy novel 'Testament of the Stars' here
Follow Alexandra Beaumont on X here @ABeaumontWriter
15 Oct 2023
Films of Terence Davies - Special with Andy Mark Simpson
RIP Terence Davies, one of our favourite filmmakers, who died this week. No guests on this episode, just Andy talking about what he loves about Terence Davies' films. Davies' was one of the best ever at using film to explore themes of memory and the passage of time. His magic-realist style has been a big influence and one of the reasons we set up the DreamSwarm platform to begin with. This is a 15-minute chat about his autobiographical films.
Introduction to Terence Davies and his magic-realist films
Non-linear associational structures
Breaking the link between sound and images
Memories altered by the act of filmmaking narration
Where to get started with Terence Davies' films
15 Dec 2022
Christmas Mummers Plays - Wantage Mummers
'In comes I, Old Father Christmas...'
We love the pageantry of the Christmas period. For our festive Christmas special we are joined by Sem from the Wantage Mummers group.
We learn all about the traditions of English mummers plays which take place over the Christmas period.
History of Mummers plays
The Old Father Christmas character
Links with other folk art forms
You can learn more about the Wantage Mummers group and other societies here
https://www.wantagemummers.org.uk/
20 Sept 2022
Terrors of the Sea - with Sideworld
Director George Popov returns to the podcast to dicuss his folklore and folk horror documentary 'Sideworld: Terrors of the Sea'. He explains how they created this mix of documentary and narrative and why there is such faascination with the folklore of the sea.
Ghost ships
Sea monsters
Why the sea is so fascinating
You can watch 'Sideworld: Terrors of the Sea' here https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0B5PVMRM7/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
You can follow Sideworld on twitter here https://twitter.com/Sideworld_UK
1 Sept 2022
Witch Trials - With Newcastle Witches Podcast
We are joined by Maria Galizia and Caitlin Bramwell who are the hosts of the new Newcastle Witches Podcast. We delve into the history of my home city to investigate the Newcastle Witch trials and the nature of witch hunting in the 17th century.
Magic and superstition in 17th century
Plague and war
Similarities between trials in England and Scotland
Campaign to pardon convicted witches
You can learn more and listen to the Newcastle Witches Podcast here
You can learn more about campaigns to pardon convicted witches with Witches of Scotland here
20 Jun 2022
A Midsummer Night's Dream - 1623 Theatre
Our Midsummer Special episode celebrating William Shakespeare's play 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. We're joined by expert Shakespeare practitioner Ben Spiller from the 1623 Theatre company to discuss the play and how Ben eplores Shakespeare with marginalised groups of people. A great episode to celebrate the magic of Midsummer.
Themes in Midsummer Night's Dream
Puck and fairy characters
Surreal imagery
The supernatural in other Shakespeare plays.
You can follow Ben and 1623 Theatre Company online here 1623 website
and on Twitter 1623 Twitter
24 May 2022
Robin Hood - with Into the Greenwood
This episode focuses on the character of Robin Hood. We interview Thadeus Papke, the host of Into the Greenwood podcast which is all about Robin Hood. Thadeus has amazing knowledge and love for this folklore character so we took a deep dive into the origins and depictions of the character.
What is Into the Greenwood podcast
Origins of Robin Hood
Robin's links to the supernatural and fairies
Maid Marian and other figures
Our favourite Robin Hood films and games
We highly recoomend listening to the Into the Greenwood podcast here
For further dives into the Robin Hood legend we also recommend The Bold Outlaw website
You can follow Into the Greenwood on Twitter, Instagram and facebook @IntoGreenwood
23 Apr 2022
Jack in the Green - Hastings Jack
We are joined by Keith Leech, the organiser of Hastings Jack in the Green Festival. Keith explains the history of the Jack in the Green tradition and how this pageantry is performed all over the South of England to celebrate the coming of spring and summer.
- Introduction to Jack in the Green tradition
- Links to Green Man and other May Day festivals
- How the festival is celebrated in the South of England
Hastings Jack in the Green festival takes place 29th April to 2nd May
Find out mre at www.hastingstraditionaljackinthegreen.co.uk
For other events and more historyof Jack in the Green and the Green Man traditions and more events around the UK look at The COmpany of the Green Man www.thecompanyofthegreenman.wordpress.com
8 Apr 2022
Sideworld Haunted Forests Doc - George Popov
We're joined by director George Popov of Rubicon Films to discuss his recent folk horror indie films 'Hex' and 'The Droving' and we learn all about 'Sideworld', his new series of folklore and folk horror documentaries.
'Hex' folk horror indie film
'The Droving' folk horror thriller set in the Lake District
'Sideworld' new folk horror documentary series
Exploring haunted forests of England
Why the switch to the documentary format?
Watch 'Sideworld: Haunted Forests of England' here: Watch Sideworld online
Watch 'Hex' here: Hex film
Watch 'The Droving' here The Droving film
Or watch on Youtube The Droving on Youtube
Follow Rubicon films on twitter https://twitter.com/RubiconFilmsUK
Or their website https://www.rubiconfilms.co.uk/
15 Mar 2022
Cornish & Welsh Folklore - Celtic Myths & Legends
We are joined by the brilliant Sian Esther Powell, host of the Celtic Myths & Legends podcast for a great discussion on folklore, language and culture from Cornwall and Wales.
Introduction to the Celtic Nations
Celtic Myths & Legends podcast
The Cornish language
Similarities between Wlesh and Cornish folkore and culture
You can listen to the Celtic Myths & Legends podcast here
https:/celticmythspodcast.com/
You can follow Sian on twitter here https://twitter.com/SianEsther
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