TALES FROM THE MADHOUSE

This critically acclaimed series of short monologues is brought to DVD for the first time. Originally screened on BBC TV and now touring as a theatre production, the DVD features stunning performances by Jonathan Pryce, Helen Baxendale, Tony Robinson, Eileen Atkins, Clare Bloom, James Cosmo, Joss Ackland and Peter France. The lives of eight individuals who brushed with Jesus on the way to the cross are imaginatively transported to the Victorian era. Each has a story to tell, whether of coming to the light or retreating to the shadows.

Tales from the Madhouse is a groundbreaking series. With the involvement of acclaimed dramatists including Arnold Wesker, Murray Watts and Nigel Forde, it brings a fresh dramatic approach to a narrative at the heart of the Christian faith. It is a thought-provoking resource for churches and for post-16 students of RE, Media Studies and Drama.

FREE discussion materials for churches and education notes for RS, Media Studies and Collective Worship are available online here.

Download the GROUP INTERACTIVE GUIDE (PDF 753KB) (opens in a new window).
and the TEACHERS' NOTES (PDF 176KB) (opens in a new window).

'Brilliant, moving stuff' Daily Express, 'Perfectly portrayed with a twist' Sunday Telegraph, 'Powerful and passionate' Evening Standard.

Order Tales from the Madhouse from RESOURCES@BIBLESOCIETY (opens in a new window).

BEHIND THE MADHOUSE

Our involvement in Tales from the Madhouse began with an approach from award-winning film producer Norman Stone (Man Dancin', BBCTV production of Shadowland'). Norman was looking to offer an imaginative dramatic approach to the Easter story to BBC1 for its Holy Week programmes. Recognising the series’ potential to engage large numbers of people with the power and message of the Bible story, Bible Society helped with funding, gave theological advice and later released the programmes on video.

The series of eight striking monologues, intriguingly set in a VICTORIAN ASYLUM (POP-UP) (opens in a new window), benefited from a wealth of famous names – actors such as Jonathan Pryce, Helen Baxendale and Dame Eileen Atkins, and scriptwriters including playwright Arnold Wesker. Christian and non-Christian scriptwriters and directors engaged with the Gospels to produce a set of monologues, which the Daily Telegraph describes as 'thoughtfully translated into language for our time'.

One result was that the series (screened as Easter Tales) prompted unanimous critical acclaim and won a Royal Television Society Award (for Helen Baxendale’s performance). Better still, it gave an average 2 million viewers each evening the opportunity to experience a gripping and original presentation of the Easter story. Now the DVD edition, with extensive free resources online, is enabling churches and schools to interact further with the stories.

Whether judged on artistic merits or on its ability to build bridges to the Bible, Tales from the Madhouse is a resounding success and a convincing example of Bible Society’s vision to find ways of connecting people today with the wisdom, inspiration and stories of the Bible.

Now available to buy from RESOURCES@BIBLESOCIETY