Explore every episode of the podcast Alternative Stories and Fake Realities
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Spring: An Audio Drama | 13 Sep 2024 | 00:57:12 | |
Welcome to Season 8 of the Alternative Stories and Fake Realites Podcast.
Holly Gillanders as Poppy Nic Lamont as Alice Sam Kennard as Ash David Ellis as Harris Adam Rhys-Davies as Kit Nicholas Vince as “Daddy” Winter Spring was written by Rachel Knightley It was recorded at Orpheus Studio in London by Richard Campbell. Direction was by Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen. Sound design, editing and music were by Chris Gregory The script for Winter Spring is copyright Rachel Knightley and may not be reproduced in whole or part except with the written permission of the author If you would like to find out more about Rachel Knightley and her writing coaching organisation The Writers’ Gym please go to https://www.writersgym.com/ You can follow Rachel on X at https://twitter.com/DrRKnightley And on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/drrachelknightley/ Or by searching “the writers gym” wherever you listen to podcasts.
This podcast has been an Alternative Stories 2024 production presented by Holly Gillanders and Chris Gregory . | |||
| Plans for season 2 of our Audio Drama The Best of Men with writer Amy Boucher | 14 May 2024 | 00:17:08 | |
In this edition of the podcast we're chatting with writer, folklorist and historian Amy Boucher about plans for more from the world of her folk horror audio drama The Best of Men which was originally broadcast on this podcast. If you would like to find out more about the project to make season 2 of The Best of Men and to pledge your support to the project via our kickstarter campaign you can do so here. Remember the campaign runs until 23rd May so please back it by then to enjoy our rewards and support our project. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cgregory/the-best-of-men-a-folk-horror-audio-drama
To listen to the first two episodes of the drama via this podcast’s archive please go to Part one https://www.buzzsprout.com/411730/12499890-the-best-of-men-an-audio-drama-part-one Part two https://www.buzzsprout.com/411730/12600423-the-best-of-men-an-audio-drama-part-two
And to find out more about writer Amy Boucher and the folklore of Shropshire please follow her on X formerly twitter here https://twitter.com/g0blinegg | |||
| Notes From Dad's Room : An Audio Drama | 02 Jun 2023 | 01:02:33 | |
Performed by Carole Pluckrose and Ria Knowles https://www.spotlight.com/1418-7861-2841 Produced in association with The Boathouse Barking CIC. https://www.boathousebarkingstudios.com/ Instagram Facebook ©Carole Pluckrose 2023 With thanks for their enduring support and critical friendship to: Tony Humphreys, Nick Crean, Carl Blackburn. Mark and Dan Horn, Martin Heaney, Julie Wedge, Dorinda Hulton, Pen to Print and Grace and Phoebe Pluckrose-Oliver I started writing Notes From Dad's Room in 2017, a few months following my dad, Edgar's death in November 2016. As a writer and theatre maker it was the natural place to go. In 2015 Edgar had been given 3/4 weeks to live following a heart condition which he had managed for over 30 years. With an imminent terminal diagnosis when no more could be done to improve his health he came back from hospital to die at home. Despite all the predictions however he lived for a further 15 months. In large part this was to do with an attitude of mind and a full engagement still in the world, family and thought despite being bedridden and confined to his bedroom. Somehow he managed to live this period largely with grace and positivity by looking outside himself into the world, and stubbornly refusing to reduce his rich imagination and sheer love of life. He travelled through this time and space in much the way he had told me stories when I was a child. During this time I began a Facebook group, firstly for updates about Edgar's progress, but soon it turned into an open, tender and insightful conversation about death and dying. It was full of rich reflections and the resounding message was that it was a much welcome space to open up the often taboo discussion about mortality, our own and those we love. It was also a space to share stories of parent/child relationships, about the things we lay down in our children's lives that have a lifetime of significance. The play is a result of these conversations and it has been through many iterations in the intervening years, with a rehearsed reading at UEL with Ria Butler, a Zoom reading during the pandemic. It's been scrutinised by critical friends, supported by writers and writing mentors Claire Steele, Tony Humphreys, Nick Crean, Carl Blackburn. Through making this piece we want to share the story of a journey of love and caring and the liminal space inhabited in the time of impending loss. We know that so many of us live lives of caring behind closed doors and the toll emotionally and economically can be enormous. We want to share this story as an act of commonality and solidarity with those travelling this path right now. I am also a celebrant and have learnt so much from my work with families in grief when supporting them in writing and officiating funeral ceremonies.
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| Raven | 02 Jun 2020 | 00:23:05 | |
This edition is called Raven. It features the short story "The Raven's Call" by Charis McRoberts and a preview of The Seeing Trees, our forthcoming audio drama which features a raven. This podcast also includes interviews with Charis McRoberts, Kaitlin Felix author of "The Seeing Trees" and Amy Forrest. | |||
| Sound Design and Music for Audio Drama | 29 May 2020 | 01:11:33 | |
In part 3 of our series on creating audio drama we discuss sound design and music with guests Hedley Knights from We Fix Space Junk, Daniel French from Fishbonius Sound Design and the Chronosphere Fiction Podcast, Richard Campbell from Red Valley, John Bartmann of the How I Make Music podcast and Chris Gregory of Alternative Stories and Fake Realities. | |||
| Selkie | 22 May 2020 | 00:40:01 | |
Selkie is an original audio drama by Signe Maene. Selkies are mythical creatures from northern European folklore. Seals that can transform to human form by shedding their skin they are particularly prevalent in Scottish folklore . In our story, Andrew discovers a selkie whilst walking on the beach near his home. He immediately falls in love aiming to make the selkie his wife. | |||
| Selkie Preview | 19 May 2020 | 00:08:37 | |
In this short bonus edition we preview our forthcoming audio drama Selkie by Signe Maene. We talk to Signe herself and to Sophie Macnair who plays the selkie in our story. We also hear from John Spiers, the folk musician who performs the theme music for the drama. | |||
| Mary J Oliver and Cornwall | 15 May 2020 | 00:12:58 | |
In this edition, the second in our series featuring women poets from Cornwall in the South West of England, we feature the work of Mary J Oliver. We also look at Cornwall itself and its enduring influence on artists, writers and poets with presenter Hollye Sangster. | |||
| A Memory of Robin | 11 May 2020 | 00:23:51 | |
A Memory of Robin is an audio drama from writer David Green. It tells the story of Gem, the daughter of a woman called Robin whose last few days of life we follow through extracts from her voice diary as she seeks to escape the confines of an increasingly oppressive and totalitarian government. | |||
| Sarah Cave Poetry | 08 May 2020 | 00:07:56 | |
In the first of a series of short podcasts featuring female poets from the county of Cornwall in the extreme south west of England we feature Sarah Cave and her poem cycle The Eidolon Triptych. Poems are read by Jade Matthew with music and soundscapes by Chris Gregory | |||
| Voice Acting Special | 04 May 2020 | 01:07:33 | |
In this special edition presented by Amy Forrest we look at the techniques, equipment and training you'll need to make a career as a voice actor by talking to a number of actors who have made the switch successfully. Our actors come from a variety of backgrounds ranging from stage and screen to podcasts and commercial voiceover work and each provides insight and advice for prospective new voice talent. We particularly hope that actors whose careers have been put on hold by coronavirus, like our presenter Amy, can find useful advice to set themselves up to do voice work. | |||
| Historical Audio Drama | 01 May 2020 | 00:22:04 | |
In this edition we explore podcasts producing historical audio drama. In a medium dominated by Sci Fi we look at some podcasters telling stories from the past and their inspiration and methods for doing this. | |||
| Very Short Stories | 27 Apr 2020 | 00:12:05 | |
Very Short Stories : A Microfiction Special With Charlotte O'Farrell | |||
| Spell Sounds : Sea and Shore | 26 May 2023 | 00:13:22 | |
Spell sounds is an audiofiction soundscape series in which we combine poetry and prose with sound effects to evoke places, spaces and landscapes You heard writing by Lyndsey Croal Ange Wilson Anna Chorlton Josh Holton Joana Varanda Cee Cee And Chris Gregory Sound effects were by Alternative Stories and from Freesound.org
Please listen out for more from our Spell Sound series soon. Thank you to everyone who has contributed pieces for the series.
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| Ladylikes in Lockdown | 24 Apr 2020 | 00:44:14 | |
This week we bring you comedy sketches and conversation from Phoebe and Miztli of the acclaimed sketch comedy duo Ladylikes. Recording separately in lockdown they talk cats, shopping, growing vegetables, working from home, daytime TV and the best and worst aspects of lockdown. | |||
| Audio Drama Creators : Special Edition | 20 Apr 2020 | 01:07:35 | |
In this special edition we look at the techniques, processes and practicalities of creating audio drama with the creators of some of the best and most exciting drama podcasts out there. We discuss writing, casting, working with actors, directing and recording as well as the touchy subject of monetising your show. | |||
| Sarah Corbett : The Witch Bag | 17 Apr 2020 | 00:24:26 | |
The Witch Bag is a poetry collection by Sarah Corbett. Originally published in 2002, 18 years on we review and reimagine the collection assessing its impact as art and on the life and career of Sarah as a poet. | |||
| Lockdown Diaries : Rachel Lightfoot | 13 Apr 2020 | 00:17:47 | |
Rachel Lightfoot is a comedian, poet and blogger from Sheffield, South Yorkshire and in this short episode she shares her thoughts, fears, observations and ideas about isolation alongside a couple of her poems. | |||
| The Angel's Calling Part 4 | 10 Apr 2020 | 00:28:34 | |
"The End of The Beginning ", Part 4 of the Angel's Calling by Victoria J.Price, a fantasy audio drama miniseries from the Alternative Stories and Fake Realities Podcast. Sound effects were from Freesound.org The presenter is Kelli Winkler The Angel’s Calling is adapted from her original novella by Victoria J Price and published with the author’s full permission and cooperation. | |||
| Sarra Culleno Poetry | 06 Apr 2020 | 00:05:26 | |
In this short extra edition of the podcast we bring you two poems from British poet Sarra Culleno. All poems are copyright Sarra Culleno and are performed here with the express permission of Sarra. | |||
| The Angel's Calling Part 3 | 03 Apr 2020 | 00:21:52 | |
"The Witches' Secret", Part 3 of the Angel's Calling by Victoria J.Price, a fantasy audio drama miniseries from the Alternative Stories and Fake Realities Podcast. Sound effects were from Freesound.org The presenter is Kelli Winkler The Angel’s Calling is adapted from her original novella by Victoria J Price and published with the author’s full permission and cooperation. | |||
| Artists in Isolation | 30 Mar 2020 | 00:22:19 | |
Artists in Isolation is a special edition of the podcast looking at the ways in which artists can adapt their working lives and creative processes to cope with the isolation caused by the Covid 19 crisis. It features actor Jade Matthew, folk musician John Spiers and writer, blogger and podcaster Christina Castaneda. | |||
| The Angel's Calling Part 2 | 27 Mar 2020 | 00:26:26 | |
"Alexander's Mission", Part 2 of the Angel's Calling by Victoria J.Price, a fantasy audio drama miniseries from the Alternative Stories and Fake Realities Podcast. Sound effects were from Freesound.org The presenter is Kelli Winkler The Angel’s Calling is adapted from her original novella by Victoria J Price and published with the author’s full permission and cooperation. | |||
| The Angel's Calling Part 1 | 20 Mar 2020 | 00:30:59 | |
"The Girl and the Angel", Part 1 of the Angel's Calling by Victoria J.Price, a fantasy audio drama miniseries from the Alternative Stories and Fake Realities Podcast. Sound effects were from Freesound.org and from BBC Sound Effects The presenter is Kelli Winkler The Angel’s Calling is adapted from her original novella by Victoria J Price and published with the author’s full permission and cooperation. | |||
| Frasier Armitage : New Yesterday | 19 May 2023 | 00:54:07 | |
In this edition we speak to science fiction writer Frasier Armitage about his novel New Yesterday which was published earlier this year. Frasier is the author of our award winning audio drama Postcards from Another World and several pieces of short fiction. Chris Gregory met Frasier over zoom to discuss the writing process and his influences. The excerpts from New Yesterday were read by Chris Gregory and the excerpts from Postcards from Another World featured the voices of Sarah Golding, Marie-Claire Wood and Emily Inkpen Music and sound design were by Alternative Stories and the interviewer was Chris Gregory You can find out more about Frasier by visiting https://frasierarmitage.com/ And follow him on twitter here https://twitter.com/FrasierArmitage And you can hear Postcards from Another World here https://www.buzzsprout.com/411730/11897671
If you enjoy science fiction you may like our sci fi serial drama The Dex Legacy which is written by Emily Inkpen. You can listen and subscribe by searching The Dex Legacy in your favourite podcast app or click the link below https://www.buzzsprout.com/1868546 If you would like to support us to make season 2 of The Dex Legacy and gain some unique rewards along the way you can make a pledge to our kickstarter campaign here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/emilyinkpen/the-dex-legacy-science-fiction-audio-drama-season-2 and to listen to more science fiction and climate fiction from Alternative Stories check out this podchaser playlist https://www.podchaser.com/lists/sci-fi-and-climate-fiction-on-alternative-stories-107aDoFzmM
If you haven’t already subscribed to Alternative Stories and Fake Realities you can do so by searching Alternative Stories in your favourite podcast app. If you would like to work with us or enquire about our courses and workshops please contact us via email at office@alternativestories.com | |||
| Fantasy | 13 Mar 2020 | 00:19:00 | |
"This Rough Magic I Abjure" by Ruthanne Reid plus a preview of our new fantasy miniseries "The Angel's Callling" by Victoria J Price and news of the UK International Radio Drama Festival at which our drama "No Words" will be featured. | |||
| Flash Fiction | 06 Mar 2020 | 00:23:40 | |
In this episode we feature flash fiction from 4 British Writers. All 4 stories have as a theme parents or parenthood. | |||
| Peter Finch :The Machineries of Joy | 14 Feb 2020 | 00:27:57 | |
This edition we feature poetry from Peter Finch. His new collection, "The Machineries of Joy" is published by Seren Books on 17th February. We feature 9 poems from the collection in the podcast | |||
| Into the Glasshouse | 07 Feb 2020 | 00:19:58 | |
In "Into the Glasshouse" by Nicole Matta a young woman embarks on a journey of self discovery and finds herself becoming involved with a group of artists, musicians and poets in New York's East Village | |||
| Like Tying a Shoelace | 31 Jan 2020 | 00:13:31 | |
Like Tying a Shoelace by Sonia Rosa Ciocca is a short drama looking at the options we have in our lives and how our futures could be different based on the choices we make. | |||
| Wayfaring Stranger | 24 Jan 2020 | 00:10:56 | |
Wayfaring Stranger by Caroline Mincks contemplates the end of everything through a simple folk tune passed down through the generations of one family. Part reminiscence, part warning, this is a story brilliantly written and told. | |||
| Review, preview and Writer Invitation | 17 Jan 2020 | 00:17:18 | |
In this first episode of the year we look back at our the content from our first season and preview some of the new stories we'll be producing in 2020. We also offer an invitation to new writers, poets and dramatists to submit their work for consideration for being included in the podcast. | |||
| The Out-of-Towners Club | 18 Dec 2019 | 00:37:01 | |
It's not all fun and parties when you have to spend Christmas away from your friends and family. For our Christmas edition we meet some of the members of the Out of Towners Club as they plan for Christmas in New York City. | |||
| Mary J Oliver : Jim Neat | 13 Dec 2019 | 00:25:34 | |
Jim Neat : The Case of a Young Man Down on his Luck by Mary J. Oliver. | |||
| Anglia : Part 4 | 06 Dec 2019 | 00:33:37 | |
Anglia Part Four : Endings A press kit for Anglia is available on request from office@alternativestories.com | |||
| Storying our Futures : Climate change and storytelling in East Africa | 12 May 2023 | 00:41:42 | |
Storying our Futures is a new podcast series looking at the climate crisis in east Africa and the ways in which storytelling can help to spread information to the local population. Through the eyes of two Kenyan storytellers, Mara and John, we travel with them through South Sudan and northern Kenya to see how the crisis is affecting local communities. "Storying our Futures: climate resilience through indigenous knowledge" is a UK/East Africa collaborative project bringing traditional oral storytellers together with East African pastoralist communities, scientific meteorologists, journalists, and indigenous traditional climate forecasters known as Rainmakers, to amplify and explore the many ways that storytelling can support system change. Chris Gregory from Alternative Stories undertook the sound design and editing work for this podcast series.
To learn more and listen you can go to to the Adverse Camber website www.adversecamber.org or listen via Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jof3zj7OY68TLjIfdndXw?si=2aa371d9d24f433a or YouTube here https://youtu.be/ZIOdlh80Rx4 You can follow Adverse Camber and find out more about their work by following them on social media Twitter. https://twitter.com/adversecamber20
If you would like to find out more about the Dex Legacy season two kickstarter campaign you can do so here Here you’ll find information about why we need funding, what your pledges will pay for and the rewards you can get by backing the project. You’ll also be able to find out about our cast and listen to a new and exclusive piece of music by our soundtrack composer Allen Stroud. You can follow The Dex Legacy on twitter here https://twitter.com/thedexlegacy You can contact us by email via office@alternativestories.com | |||
| Anglia: Part 3 | 29 Nov 2019 | 00:32:46 | |
Anglia Part Three : Shadows A press kit for Anglia is available on request from office@alternativestories.com | |||
| Anglia : Part Two | 22 Nov 2019 | 00:34:37 | |
Anglia Part Two : Migrants A press kit for Anglia is available on request from office@alternativestories.com | |||
| Anglia Part One | 15 Nov 2019 | 00:35:24 | |
Anglia part One : Arrivals | |||
| Farewell Monologue 5 : Eva | 08 Nov 2019 | 00:16:02 | |
A novelist tries to come to terms with the process of finishing her novel and talks about the mixed emotions she feels about reaching this landmark. Written and performed by Jackie Jorgenson this humorous piece is dedicated to all writers and novelists and particularly to those participating in National Novel Writing Month 2019 | |||
| Halloween Special | 29 Oct 2019 | 00:20:28 | |
Alison Daniels is given a wind-up musical box to look after overnight. But what secrets does the box hold and why does it keep playing of its own accord? Our ghostly short story A Musical Box is read by Abigail Reno. | |||
| Farewell Monologue 4: Fading Fires | 25 Oct 2019 | 00:11:49 | |
In this edition poet Cheyenne Bramwell presents her long form poem Fading Fires which she performs herself. In the style of an epic poem, this work imagines a civilization, reeling from war and hardship and learning to live at peace once more. | |||
| Farewell Monologue 3: Mojave | 18 Oct 2019 | 00:14:10 | |
In this latest edition of our Farewell Monologues series of short episodes Chelsie Buckner, the poet known as Poems and Peonies, performs her verse story, Mojave. We also provide details on how writers, poets and dramatists can contribute to the podcast. | |||
| Farewell Monologue 2 : Rainbows | 11 Oct 2019 | 00:11:42 | |
In the second of our series of Farewell Monologues we take a look at bereavement through the eyes of our regular presenter, Kelli Winkler. The loss of a loved one is tough and a very individual experience. In this monologue Kelli gives us an insight into her experience of loss and the memories and feelings it provokes. | |||
| Poetry Special | 04 Oct 2019 | 00:18:27 | |
In our first poetry special edition of the podcast we feature the work of three poets: Will Burns, Chelsie Buckner and Julie Stevens. | |||
| Farewell Monologue 1 : Sarah | 25 Sep 2019 | 00:11:00 | |
In the first of a series of mini episodes, Farewell Monologues, we explore departure, saying goodbye, endings and changes. In this monologue Abby Hilden is Sarah, a young woman leaving a relationship and contemplating lost time and an uncertain future. | |||
| The Best of Men : An Audio Drama : Part Two | 07 Apr 2023 | 00:54:39 | |
Marc Hughes, the larger-than-life presenter of the supernatural investigation TV show Paranormal Takedown, is in Shropshire visiting his friend Jack who claims that the Devil is active in the county. Alongside co-host Emilie Daniels, Marc has decided to make a special edition about the weird goings-on but upon arrival in the county he starts to realise that the stories he is hearing are stranger and darker than he imagined. Tiffany Clare as Emilie
Casting and actor direction is by Chris Gregory and Amy Boucher Sound effects are by Alternative Stories and from Freesound.org The script for The Best of Men is by Amy Boucher and may not be reproduced in whole or in part other than with the permission of the author.
You can find out more about our writer Amy Boucher by visiting her blog here https://nearlyknowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com/ And follow her on twitter here https://twitter.com/g0blinegg Twitter https://twitter.com/StoriesAlt Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stories.alt/ And contact us by email here office@alternativestories.com
Find out more about our lead actors, and hire them to voice your podcast or drama Tiffany Clare https://twitter.com/TiffanyEclair Alex White https://twitter.com/alexwhiteactor Carl Wharton https://twitter.com/carlwharton Emily Inkpen is the writer of our science fiction serial drama The Dex Legacy. Find out more and listen here https://www.thedexlegacy.com/ If you've enjoyed The Best of Men please check out our other folklore and folk horror productions via this Podchaser playlist https://www.podchaser.com/lists/folklore-folk-horror-and-fairytale-on-alternative-stories-107a9Gdi9h podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/spe… https://twitter.com/spectre_sea
We always appreciate ratings and reviews so if you have enjoyed this edition please rate or review the podcast on apple podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser or any podcast app that accepts ratings. | |||
| The Adults in the Room | 14 Aug 2019 | 00:30:03 | |
Two cousins reunited after many years unearth a dark family secret that threatens to destroy their relationship. In a break from our theme of mythology we consider the ways in which different individuals can view the same set of events drawing vastly different conclusions. Strong language and sexual references. Listener discretion is advised. | |||
| "Porcelain" An Audio drama inspired by the story of Echo and Narcissus | 12 Jul 2019 | 00:28:50 | |
Emily Horner, a talented singer songwriter struggles with confidence, anxiety and identity in our latest audio drama. Taking the name "Echo" as a mask to hide behind, Emily begins to make her way in the world of professional music. This episode stars singer songwriter Micah Cottingham (MICVH) as Echo and features some of her original music. This music is used with Micah's permission. | |||
| The Daphne and Apollo Episode | 28 Jun 2019 | 00:35:53 | |
Continuing our theme of new writing based upon stories from Ovid's Metamorphoses (and from mythology in general) this episode features an audio drama and poem based on the myth of Daphne and Apollo. The audio drama "No Words" features Tiffany Clare as Naomi, Charlie Richards as Robert and Federico Foglia as The Museum Attendant. Narration is by Kelli Winkler and original music is by Chris Gregory. | |||