Jim Henson's The Storyteller Greek Myths

A Family Television Show That Dramatizes Ancient Myths

Aug 11, 2009

Jim Henson's The Storyteller Greek Myths television show stars Michael Gambon as the Greek storyteller, narrating ancient Greek myths dramatized by a talented cast.

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Greek Myths is a creative television show enjoyed by children and adults alike that teaches Greek myths. Created by Anthony Minghella and featuring creatures from Jim Henson’s creature shop, each half-hour episode stars Michael Gambon as the Greek storyteller, Brian Henson as his dog, and a star-studded British cast dramatizing each myth. As the storyteller wanders through the ancient labyrinth of Knossos on Crete, he finds ruins and artifacts that spark each story. Each episode does a good job of accurately summarizing the plots of these sometimes complicated myths, and Gambon’s narration does an excellent job of bridging the gap between the dramatized scenes.

All four episodes can be bought in a complete set or in a combined collection with Jim Henson’s The Storyteller television series.

Daedalus and Icarus

When the great Athenian inventor Daedalus accidentally kills his nephew, he flees to Crete with his son Icarus. There he is employed by King Minos to build a labyrinth to imprison the beastly Minotaur. Since Daedalus then knows the secret of the labyrinth, Minos imprisons the inventor and his son, and their only means of escape is with wings made from feathers and wax. Icarus flies too close to the sun and his wings melt, sending him to a watery grave. Daedalus blames Minos for his son’s death, and he will not rest until he can exact revenge.

Orpheus and Eurydice

Starring Art Malik (Orpheus), Eurydice (Gina Bellman), Trevor Peacock (Charon), Robert Stephens (Hades), Mel Martin (Persephone)

King Orpheus of Thrace, son of the muse of music Calliope, is so skilled at playing the lyre and flute that he is able to make the natural world come alive. He is even able to bring the beautiful wood nymph Eurydice out of her tree and into the world of humans. They happily marry but one day she is bitten by a snake and dies. Orpheus goes into the land of the dead to bring her back, and charms the king of the Underworld with his music. Hades agrees to let him rescue Eurydice, but warns Orpheus that he must not look back at his wife until they are out of the Underworld or else she will be lost forever.

Perseus and the Gorgon

Starring Jeremy Gilley (Perseus), Frances Barber (Medusa), Kate Buffery (Danae), John McEnery (Polydektes), Arthur Dignam (Acrisius)

When King Acrisius hears the prophecy that his grandson will kill him and take over his kingdom, he locks his daughter Danae in the dungeon. Zeus fathers her son by a ray of sunlight, and Danae and the young Perseus are eventually able to escape. But in their new home the tyrant Polydektes wants to force Danae to be his wife. Perseus must go on a quest to find the gorgon Medusa, one glance at whom turns anyone to stone. If he can take her head he can bring it back to free his mother.

Theseus and the Minotaur

Starring David Morrissey (Theseus), Maggie O’Neill (Ariadne), Robert Flemyng (Aegeus), Lindsay Duncan (Medea), Amanda Burton (Aithra)

When young Theseus learns that he is the son of King Aegeus of Athens, he goes to Athens and is warmly accepted by his father. Theseus wants to help the king so he decides to go with the yearly tribute to Crete: every year, Athens must send seven youths to be eaten by the Minotaur. If Theseus can slay the Minotaur he can save many Athenian lives. Once in Crete, the prince seduces the princess Ariadne who helps him defeat the Minotaur. But when Theseus marries her and then abandons her on the way home, Ariadne curses him to a tragic end.

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