Oct 31, 2012
Hello there, come in, come in. Yes, it is dark isn't it?
The nights draw in ever so quickly these days. There's
a real bite in the air now - you'd almost think it was Winter!
Here, let me take that coat from you. You must be
freezing. Blowing quite a gale out there, by the sounds of
it. You know, I
remember a night like this oh.., many years back, when I was at
school with old Monty. Hah! Now, there was a character
and no mistake. Famed for his fireside stories. There's
one he told me that fair set the hairs on the back of my neck
a-rising (back when I was a wee lad, you understand.) He
wrote it down later and, do you know, I believe I have a copy of it
somewhere. Let me see...
Come, fetch
yourself a warm drink, if you haven't one already. Take your
ease. There's warm cocoa in the pan, and I'm sure I can find
something a little stronger to slip in, to help warm your bones.
Lovely. Ah, here's the tale! It's called 'Lost
Hearts.' Got yer drink? Marvellous.
Oh
dear, the cat's jumped up on me now, and she does so hate to be
disturbed.
Be a
good fellow will you, and turn
the lights down. The fire's picking up, and I do like to see
it in it's glory.
Ahhh, there's
nothing more companiable...
Now
then, 'It was, as far
as I can ascertain, in September of the year 1811...'
Lost
Hearts' was written by Montague Rhodes James. It is performed
here by Dion Winton-Polak, from the Scrolls podcast.
This
reading incorporates the following sounds, downloaded
from freesound:
If you enjoyed
'Lost Hearts' I can highly recommend seeking out the work of Robert
Lloyd Parry, a performer who puts my humble effort to shame.
His theatrical schedule can be found at http://www.nunkie.co.uk/ as can the dvds
& cds of his work. He will be appearing at the Abertoir festival this
year.
Happy
Halloween.