The Wonderful Beast Singers and cast of First the Dance, Then the Feast sing a traditional Ukrainian folk song ahead of the show's opening night at Thorington Theatre on June 23rd 2022. Accompanied by Martina Schwarz on accordion, Meg-Rosaleen Hamilton on viola and Bogdan Vacarescu on violin.

When a vain padishah asks his three sons how much they each love him, his youngest answers with the truth. But the padishah does not understand the worth of his son's reply. Traditional Turkish folktale read by Diana Quick, with original music composed and performed by Sylvia Hallett.

A haughty Padishah tries to change the fortune of his daughter and his kingdom, with unexpected consequences. Read by Theo Fraser Steele, with original music composed and performed by Sylvia Hallett.

Ann Bryson reads this traditional Turkish folktale, the second in Wonderful Beast's Christmas Unlocked series. With music composed and performed by Sylvia Hallett.

When a poor boy is given a magical pumpkin, the greedy Mehmet steals it and tries to sell it for a small fortune. Only problem is, he doesn't know how to make it open. What's priceless to one person might be worthless to anyone else, however hard he tries... Traditional Turkish folktale read by Rob Jarvis, with music written and performed by Sylvia Hallett.

Mary is the bravest servant girl in the land - dark nights, skull bones, she's afraid of nothing, live or dead. But will she triumph when she tries to outwit a ghost? Version of the folktale by Kevin Crossley-Holland.

Morven Macbeth tells the Scottish tale, The Finger Lock, about a boy who discovers he has unexpected musical talent, with the help of a little fairy. The tale is followed by Julia Blackburn reciting the folk rhyme The Green Grass. With original music from Sylvia Hallett. Cover image taken from a photograph by Aghyad Najjar.

Morven Macbeth tells this folktale about a little boy who doesn't like the dark, and who is always turning on the lights. But when a little girl named Dark shows him how to look at things differently, will she change his mind? Morven dedicates this story to her father, Ian Macbeth, a keen story-teller and collector of stories. With original music by Sylvia Hallett. Cover image by Peter de Vink.

Anusha Subramanyam and Prathap Ramachandra perform this Indian folktale about a little boy who longs for a drum. With original music by Sylvia Hallett and Prathap Ramachandra. This version of the tale was collected by A.K. Ramanujan.

Martina Schwarz performs this little-known tale from the Brothers Grimm. Simpleton's brothers crash their way through life, abusing the world around them, while Simpleton pleads with them to 'leave the creatures alone!'. When his brothers' bullishness catches them out, will Simpleton's kindness to the natural world be enough to save his life? With original music by Martina Schwarz, and Sylvia Hallett.

In a very special piece for Wonderful Beast, this is a world premiere of a new story written for by nine-year-old Daniel Shaw, who has kindly allowed us to record and include it in Lockdown Tales. A letter from the Oracle is found, warning the people of the earth to change their ways to save their planet. But will they listen? Read by Sally Ann Burnett, with original music by Sylvia Hallett. Cover image by Porapak Apichodilok.

Petra Markham reads this classic cumulative tale collected by Joseph Jacobs. When an old woman buys a pig at the market, she finds she can't get it over the stile to go home. How will she persuade the pig to go, and will she ever get home? With original music by Sylvia Hallett. Cover image by Leah Kelley.

Veronica Lamond reads her own fabulous story in which we meet a Land Rover Defender known as 'Fender' and his owner, Dan, who find more than they bargained for on a beach clean near their home in Cornwall. This audio is taken from an original animation produced for Veronica by Sharkbay Films, and is included in Lockdown Tales by kind permission of Veronica Lamond and Sharkbay Films. With original music by Veronica Lamond. Lockdown Tales theme composed and performed by Sylvia Hallett.

Ann Penfold reads Elizabeth Dale's heartwarming story about Daddy bear's efforts to show the little bears there's no need to be afraid. After all, nothing can frighten a bear! But is Daddy bear as brave as he seems? By kind permission of Nosy Crow books. With original music by Sylvia Hallett.

Alfie Enoch reads this gorgeous Brazilian folktale. A little brown beetle shows that even the smallest and plainest among us have hidden talents, and that judging someone on looks alone is never a clever idea. With original music by Sylvia Hallett.

Julia Blackburn recites from memory this well-loved folk poem. With original music by Sylvia Hallett.

A vain little mouse has several proposals from a variety of suitors, but who will she choose? Told by Montserrat Roig de Puig, with original music by Sylvia Hallett. Cover image by Alexa's Fotos.

Rosalind Burt reads Leanne Guenther's adaptation of the classic fairytale. With original music from Sylvia Hallett.

Rob Jarvis reads Lucy Rowland and Kate Hindley's fabulous story following a little knight called Ned, who always does what he's told with a smile. But when a dragon comes to town, Ned makes some changes... The story is used by Lockdown Tales by kind permission of Nosy Crow. With original music by Sylvia Hallett.

Sally Ann Burnett reads this classic fairytale from the Brothers Grimm. Gretel is a cook who has a taste for her own cooking, and her master's wine. But when she takes one bite too many, will she be clever enough to get away with it? With original music by Sylvia Hallett. Cover image by Edward Eyer.