logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2021
51m 36s

Fairy Tales

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Greg Jenner and his guests uncover the gruesome truths behind some of our most-loved fairy tales that have kept children and adults enchanted for centuries. In comedy corner, we have the wickedly funny “evil queen of comedy” Sally Phillips, who we all know as a comedian, sketch-writer and for her appearances in shows like Miranda, Green Wing, Veep and many more. In history corner is the world-renowned expert on children’s literature, folklore and German literature, Prof Maria Tatar.

Up next
Jan 16
Hannibal of Carthage (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined in ancient North Africa by classicist Professor Josephine Quinn and comedian Darren Harriott to learn about Hannibal of Carthage and his war with Rome.Located in modern-day Tunisia, Carthage was once a Mediterranean superpower that rivalled Rome. In 218 BCE, ... Show More
28m 7s
Jan 9
Alexandria (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined in Egypt by historian Professor Islam Issa and comedian Athena Kugblenu to learn all about the history of science and philosophy in the city of Alexandria.Founded by ancient conqueror Alexander the Great, Alexandria from its earliest days was a city at the f ... Show More
28m 6s
Jan 2
The Brontës
Dead Funny History: The Brontës. Join historian Greg Jenner for a fast-paced, funny and fascinating journey through the lives of the Brontë sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, three literary legends whose tragic family story inspired some of the greatest novels of the 19th centur ... Show More
14m 6s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2020
Livy
Join Natalie Haynes and guests for half an hour of comedy and the Classics from the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Natalie is a recovering comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome. Each week she takes a different figure from the Ancient World and tells t ... Show More
27m 35s
Feb 2020
Euripides
Join Natalie Haynes and guests for half an hour of comedy and the Classics from the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Natalie is a recovering comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome. Each week she takes a different figure from the Ancient World and tells t ... Show More
27m 23s
Feb 2020
Aristophanes
Join Natalie Haynes and guests for half an hour of comedy and the Classics from the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Natalie is a reformed comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome. She stands up in the name of Greek playwright and inventor of 'old comedy', ... Show More
26m 58s
Feb 2020
Sappho
Natalie Haynes and guests return for half an hour of comedy and the Classics from the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Natalie is a reformed comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome. This time she's standing up in the name of Greek poet, Sappho, about whom ... Show More
24m 43s
Feb 2024
Origins of Fairy Tales
<p>Fairy tales exist everywhere and in every time.&nbsp;Through centuries of oral tradition and the invention of print and later advances in television and film, fairy tales have altered and shaped themselves in reflection of changing cultural norms.&nbsp;</p><br><p>In this episo ... Show More
29m 48s
Sep 2019
Twisted Fairy Tales
Fantasy doesn’t always stay fiction. Sometimes it creeps into reality, and as we grow older those childhood fairy tales gain a whole new meaning.  First, Sapphire reads a magical tale about a baker with a dark, delectable secret. Next, join Markeia as she follows a young occultis ... Show More
39m 33s
Feb 2020
Horace
Join Natalie Haynes and guests for half an hour of comedy and the Classics from the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Natalie is a recovering comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome. Each week she takes a different figure from the Ancient World and tells t ... Show More
25m 27s
May 2023
The Woman Who Wrote Fairy Tales
<p>When it comes to fairy tales, most people know Charrles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. Fewer know of Madame d'Aulnoy, whose own life of murder and political inrigues inspired the stories where love is hard won and happiness is harder when the parties are human.</p> <p>Suppor ... Show More
34m 12s
Nov 2022
The Tiniest Raindrop Fairy
Everyone thinks that they know all about fairies, but they don’t. Not really. Of course there is the Tooth Fairy, who flies silently into sleeping children’s bedrooms after they lose a tooth to leave them a surprise under their pillow. She’s a legend! But there are loads of other ... Show More
17m 31s