Suffolk Tales 2 Audio CD and 24 page booklet
Price: £
9.45
Traditional tales from the East of England
Dramatisations of four vibrant folktales in the Suffolk dialect
Narrated by Michael Balaam and Nan Tuckey
Written and directed by Shirley Bignell
Total running time 46:01
ISBN 0-9539556-2-1
‘What’s my name?’
‘Is it Nicodemus?’
‘Noo, t’aint’In the best traditions of folk tales these dramatised stories have the feel of a rollicking good yarn. The folklorist Joseph Jacobs upheld the traditional idea of fairies taking many forms, small or human-sized, ugly or beautiful, good or mischievous. This was at a time when fairies were usually idealised as perfect little beings. Jacobs rated ‘Tom Tit Tot’ as far superior to European versions and one of the best folk tales ever collected. The booklet gives a wealth of background information on all the stories. The CD is suitable for all ages.
Tom Tit Tot (13:51)
A king, a spinner and her daughter, pies, flax and a wily impet come together in this humorous tale of the little man whose name had to be guessed. Here we have a spinner’s daughter who has failed to learn to spin and has a great appetite for pies. Under false pretences she marries the acquisitive King. The fast spinning impet Tom Tit Tot saves her from disaster and a deal is struck.
The Gypsy Woman (6:31)
Eleven months later and it is time for the daughter to spin again. Whatever will she do? Fortunately her rescuer arrives with a plan.
Cap o’Rushes (11:39)
A rich man asks his three daughters how much they love him. The consequences for the youngest are far reaching in a story reminiscent of Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’. When the youngest daughter answers her father’s question, ‘How much do you love me?’ with, ‘Why, I love you as fresh meat loves salt’, she is immediately turned out of the house. The girl weaves a cape from rushes to disguise her fine clothes and is reduced to working as a kitchen maid. As she takes charge of her life, the storyline comes to resemble the widely known folktales of Cinderella.
The Dauntless Girl (14:00) Lively conversation between a farmer and his drinking companions leads to boasts and a bet as to just how fearless his girl can be. She proves herself a match for man and ghost alike. Emboldened by her dealings with one ‘spectre’, she embarks on a new life in a notoriously haunted house. Here she humours and finally outwits the resident ghost, gaining a fortune and husband as a result.
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