JIM HENSON'S "THE STORYTELLER": GREEK MYTHS: ORPHEUS & EURYDICE (TV)
Summary
One in this series of folk tales and legends based on Greek myths -- presented as a follow-up to the earlier series "The Storyteller" -- featuring fantasy characters from Jim Henson's Creature Shop. This episode finds the Storyteller in Crete, where he narrates the sad tale of the lovers Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus, son of a Muse and a Thracian prince, is renowned throughout the land for his intoxicating musical talent. One spring day, he meets the wood nymph Eurydice, and they fall in love and marry, but the couple's happiness is cut short when Eurydice is bitten by a poisonous snake and dies. In anguish, Orpheus is persuaded by the satyr Aristaeus to descend to Hades and play sweet music on his lyre to charm Death into releasing Eurydice. Queen Persephone is moved by Orpheus' music and intercedes on his behalf, prompting Hades, King of the Underworld, to grant permission for Eurydice's release. But Hades sternly warns Orpheus that he must not turn to look at his bride until they have reached the land of the living, or she will be returned to the Underworld. As they near the light, Orpheus is overcome by doubt and prematurely turns to look at Eurydice, whose soul is drawn back to Hades, driving Orpheus mad with grief.
Details
- NETWORK: Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
- DATE: December 22, 1990 Saturday
- RUNNING TIME: 0:23:25
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:24084
- GENRE: Children's; Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Children's programs; Drama, fantasy/science fiction; International Collection - United Kingdom; Mythology; Puppets
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1990-1991
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jim Henson … Executive Producer
- Duncan Kenworthy … Producer
- Tony Smith … Director
- Anthony Minghella … Created by
- Nigel Williams … Writer, Screenplay by
- J. Nigel Pickard … Production (Misc.), Executive in Charge of Production
- John Stephenson … Creative Supervisor, For The Creature Shop
- Verner Gresty … Production Design, Special Creature Design, For The Creature Shop
- John Beard … Production Design
- Rachel Portman … Music by
- Carolyn Choa … Choreographer
- David Greenaway … Puppeteer
- Michael Gambon … Cast, the Storyteller
- Brian Henson … Cast, the Dog
- Art Malik … Cast, Orpheus
- Gina Bellman … Cast, Eurydice
- Jesse Birdsall … Cast, Aristaeus
- Robert Stephens … Cast, Hades
- Mel Martin … Cast, Persephone
- Trevor Peacock … Cast, Charon