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Local Legends - Wales
We interview acclaimed authors, folklorists, storytellers and historians with unique perspectives on the thirteen historic counties of Wales, as part of Series 7.
Local Legends 43:
Milly Jackdaw
In Series 7's first episode of Local Legends, Eleanor is joined around the campfire by storyteller, theatre maker and ecologist Milly Jackdaw.
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Milly's fascinating career has seen her telling stories on the banks of wild lakes, at festivals and in theatres, and in some of the places most connected to the stories themselves.
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With a background in theatre, Milly brings a particular theatrical flair to her storytelling. She toured with Purple Broccoli Theatre Co for nearly a decade, bringing performances with core environmental themes to diverse venues, all the while developing her passion for solo storytelling.
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At the heart of it all is Milly’s deep love of the natural world, a primary theme of all her work. She’s studied field ecology, animal communication and plant spirit communication, and is a trustee for the charity Cambrian Wildwood.
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A fascinating chat about the life and work of an inspiring storyteller, the county of Cardiganshire, and tales such as the birth of Taliesin and Myrddin’s Pig, with a true Local Legend: Milly Jackdaw.
Local Legends 44:
Chris Baglin
Martin is joined around the campfire by storyteller, magician and puppeteer Chris Baglin.
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Chris performs as 'Professor Llusern' and 'Cyfarwydd Cymru', with the second being his bardic name, meaning 'the storyteller of Wales'.
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Chris performs at castles, heritage centres and fetes across north Wales and beyond, and for the past several years he has been the regular storyteller at Conwy Castle and a half dozen other places, too.
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When not performing, Chris travels across the country and abroad as a drama adjudicator for various festivals, and organises events for Welsh Language promotion organisation.
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He is also a script writer and voice over artist, is a lead Creative Schools practitioner (an Arts Council Wales project), and he, too, has a storytelling podcast.
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For now, though, let's listen in to a conversation with The Storyteller of Wales about his life, career, and this week’s Three Ravens historic county, Denbighshire.
Local Legends 49:
Christine Watkins
Eleanor is joined around the campfire by storyteller priestess Christine Watkins to talk all about her home county of Monmouthshire.
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Christine was born in Monmouthshire, where her family has deep roots. She has been crafting words for speaking live or in broadcast since 1980 - stories of belonging and apartness, discovery and creation.
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She's the author of Gwent Folk Tales and the host of the podcast Around Goes The Rambler, in which she walks Monmouthshire over the course of a year and a day.
