DreamSwarm Podcast

Folk Gatherings Documentary - with Dave Brewis

Andy Mark Simpson — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 11:07:30 +0000

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

LQBTQ characters in Indian Mythology

Andy Mark Simpson — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:02:05 +0000

We speak to Jarod Winchester, a screenwriter from south India about representations of LQBTQ characters in Hindu mythology and folklore and also in fantasy films and novels.

LGBTQ characters in fantasy
LGBTQ representations in Hindu mythology
Influence of Hindu mythology and folklore in Jarod's work
Jarod's gay fantasy script

Jarod also runs The Story Dude YouTube channel about craftng compelling stories https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCesB31SaHnfVcygrm0Tj6RQ

He also runs Spring Whales Productions showcasing films for LGBTQ audiences https://www.youtube.com/@springwhalesproductions

Fantasy Folklore Novels - With Alexandra Beaumont

Andy Mark Simpson — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 17:46:00 +0000

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

Films of Terence Davies - Special with Andy Mark Simpson

Andy Mark Simpson — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 18:11:13 +0000

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

Christmas Mummers Plays - Wantage Mummers

Andy Mark Simpson — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 22:40:00 +0000

'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/

Terrors of the Sea - with Sideworld

Andy Mark Simpson — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 21:52:00 +0000

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

Witch Trials - With Newcastle Witches Podcast

Andy Mark Simpson — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 21:40:00 +0000

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

A Midsummer Night's Dream - 1623 Theatre

Andy Mark Simpson — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 19:01:00 +0000

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

Robin Hood - with Into the Greenwood

Andy Mark Simpson — Tue, 24 May 2022 23:42:00 +0000

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

Jack in the Green - Hastings Jack

Andy Mark Simpson — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 21:41:00 +0000

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