A Podcast to the Curious - The M.R. James Podcast
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Episode 49 – Twelve Medieval Ghost Stories
22 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
What could be more worthy of a Christmas episode than a ghost story? Answer: twelve ghost stories! This week Mike and Will find plenty of seasonal c...
Episode 49 – Twelve Medieval Ghost Stories
22 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
What could be more worthy of a Christmas episode than a ghost story? Answer: twelve ghost stories! This week Mike and Will find plenty of seasonal c...
Episode 48 – Auditor and Impresario
17 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike and Will dust off their acting chops and take to the stage as they cover Auditor and Impresario, M.R. James’s little-know comi...
Episode 48 – Auditor and Impresario
17 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike and Will dust off their acting chops and take to the stage as they cover Auditor and Impresario, M.R. James’s little-know comi...
Episode 47 – The Five Jars, Part 3
07 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike and Will cover the concluding third of ‘The Five Jars‘, M.R. James’s little-read children’s book. Expect ...
Episode 47 – The Five Jars, Part 3
07 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike and Will cover the concluding third of ‘The Five Jars‘, M.R. James’s little-read children’s book. Expect ...
Episode 46 – The Five Jars, Part 2
02 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike and Will delve into the middle third of M.R. James’s ‘The Five Jars’ and encounter talking owls, two flavours ...
Episode 46 – The Five Jars, Part 2
02 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike and Will delve into the middle third of M.R. James’s ‘The Five Jars’ and encounter talking owls, two flavours ...
Episode 45 – Conference Report: MR James and the Modern Ghost Story
14 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Will and Mike don their academic tweeds, gather their notes and ascend to the podium to bring you their conference report on MR James and t...
Episode 45 – Conference Report: MR James and the Modern Ghost Story
14 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Will and Mike don their academic tweeds, gather their notes and ascend to the podium to bring you their conference report on MR James and t...
Episode 44 – The Five Jars, Part 1
26 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week Will and Mike explore the borders between psychedelia and twee when they crack open The Five Jars, Monty’s only novel. Prepare yours...
Episode 44 – The Five Jars, Part 1
26 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week Will and Mike explore the borders between psychedelia and twee when they crack open The Five Jars, Monty’s only novel. Prepare yours...
Episode 43 – The Malice of Inanimate Objects
08 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike and Will batten down the hatches and prepare for the onslaught of ‘The Malice of Inanimate Objects‘ by M.R. James. R...
Episode 43 – The Malice of Inanimate Objects
08 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike and Will batten down the hatches and prepare for the onslaught of ‘The Malice of Inanimate Objects‘ by M.R. James. R...
Episode 42 – Christmas bonus – The goblins who stole a sexton by Charles Dickens
24 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Season’s greetings listeners! We have a Christmas bonus episode for you here, an exclusive readings of one of Charles Dickens’s supernatur...
Episode 42 – Christmas bonus – The goblins who stole a sexton by Charles Dickens
24 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Season’s greetings listeners! We have a Christmas bonus episode for you here, an exclusive readings of one of Charles Dickens’s supernatur...
Episode 41 – The MR James and Charles Dickens Christmas Special (with last minute gift guide!)
23 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Seasons greetings James fans! In this episode, Will and Mike take a further turn towards the Victorian by pairing up James with his great literary lov...
Episode 41 – The MR James and Charles Dickens Christmas Special (with last minute gift guide!)
23 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Seasons greetings James fans! In this episode, Will and Mike take a further turn towards the Victorian by pairing up James with his great literary lov...
Episode 40 – The Experiment
22 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This week Mike and Will attempt some foul necromancy with MR James’ little-known tale ‘The Experiment’. Ghosts and Scholars descri...
Episode 40 – The Experiment
22 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This week Mike and Will attempt some foul necromancy with MR James’ little-known tale ‘The Experiment’. Ghosts and Scholars descri...
Episode 39 – Merfield Hall
17 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will false-start their way through the unfinished M.R. James manuscript ‘Merfield Hall’ (or should that be ‘...
Episode 39 – Merfield Hall
17 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will false-start their way through the unfinished M.R. James manuscript ‘Merfield Hall’ (or should that be ‘...
Episode 38 – The Game of Bear
25 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
An episode of two parts this week. In part one, Will and Mike open their box of James ephemera to play the “dreadful Game of Bear”. We...
Episode 38 – The Game of Bear
25 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
An episode of two parts this week. In part one, Will and Mike open their box of James ephemera to play the “dreadful Game of Bear”. We...
Episode 37 – Wailing Well
24 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will pack their tents, pull up their socks and strap on their woggles (woggles are a scout thing, right?) as they explore M.R....
Episode 37 – Wailing Well
24 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will pack their tents, pull up their socks and strap on their woggles (woggles are a scout thing, right?) as they explore M.R....
Episode 36 – Suffolk and Norfolk
23 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will take a look at M.R. James’s East Anglian guidebook ‘Suffolk and Norfolk’. It’s got churches, lots...
Episode 36 – Suffolk and Norfolk
23 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will take a look at M.R. James’s East Anglian guidebook ‘Suffolk and Norfolk’. It’s got churches, lots...
Episode 35 – Rats
25 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will tackle ‘Moose’ by M.R. James. No wait, that’s not right. Ah yes, ‘Rats’ by M.R. James, that...
Episode 35 – Rats
25 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will tackle ‘Moose’ by M.R. James. No wait, that’s not right. Ah yes, ‘Rats’ by M.R. James, that...
Episode 34 – Marcilly-le-Hayer (with Helen Grant)
12 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Will and Mike are thrilled to be joined by top M.R. James scholar and author Helen Grant to help them struggle their way through unfinish...
Episode 34 – Marcilly-le-Hayer (with Helen Grant)
12 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Will and Mike are thrilled to be joined by top M.R. James scholar and author Helen Grant to help them struggle their way through unfinish...
Episode 33 – Mark Gatiss’ The Tractate Middoth
26 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this special Christmas Bonus episode, Mike and Will give their thoughts on Mark Gatiss’ adaptation of ‘The Tractate Middoth’ by M...
Episode 33 – Mark Gatiss’ The Tractate Middoth
26 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this special Christmas Bonus episode, Mike and Will give their thoughts on Mark Gatiss’ adaptation of ‘The Tractate Middoth’ by M...
Episode 32 – An Evening’s Entertainment
15 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this semi-Christmas episode, Mike and Will don their druid costumes and head down to rural Dorset for some pagan goings-on in ‘An EveningR...
Episode 32 – An Evening’s Entertainment
15 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this semi-Christmas episode, Mike and Will don their druid costumes and head down to rural Dorset for some pagan goings-on in ‘An EveningR...
Episode 31 – A Warning to the Curious – Part 2 of 2
11 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode concludes our coverage of M.R. James’s masterwork ‘A Warning to the Curious‘, and we also speak to James expert Patrick...
Episode 31 – A Warning to the Curious – Part 2 of 2
11 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode concludes our coverage of M.R. James’s masterwork ‘A Warning to the Curious‘, and we also speak to James expert Patrick...
Episode 30 – A Warning to the Curious – Part 1 of 2
13 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The waiting is over, it’s finally time for Mike & Will to tackle what is arguably M.R. James’s masterpiece – A Warning to the Cu...
Episode 30 – A Warning to the Curious – Part 1 of 2
13 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The waiting is over, it’s finally time for Mike & Will to tackle what is arguably M.R. James’s masterpiece – A Warning to the Cu...
Episode 29 – A View from a Hill
02 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike and Will whip out their podcasting binoculars and peer through them at ‘A View from a Hill by M.R. James. This episode we are ...
Episode 29 – A View from a Hill
02 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike and Will whip out their podcasting binoculars and peer through them at ‘A View from a Hill by M.R. James. This episode we are ...
Investigating James: an interview with Patrick J. Murphy and Fred Porcheddu
12 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’ve got an interview for you with two splendid chaps from the U.S., who are delving into what lies behind MR James’ stories. P...
Investigating James: an interview with Patrick J. Murphy and Fred Porcheddu
12 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’ve got an interview for you with two splendid chaps from the U.S., who are delving into what lies behind MR James’ stories. P...
Episode 28 – After Dark in the Playing Fields
24 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, talking owls. Yes, you heard me correctly. Talking owls. Has Monty completely lost his marbles? Mike and Will ask just that in this e...
Episode 28 – After Dark in the Playing Fields
24 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, talking owls. Yes, you heard me correctly. Talking owls. Has Monty completely lost his marbles? Mike and Will ask just that in this e...
Episode 27 – There was a man dwelt by a churchyard
29 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike & Will don their funeral garb and shuffle mournfully into ‘There was a man dwelt by a churchyard‘ by M.R. James. ...
Episode 27 – There was a man dwelt by a churchyard
29 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike & Will don their funeral garb and shuffle mournfully into ‘There was a man dwelt by a churchyard‘ by M.R. James. ...
Episode 26 – A Neighbour’s Landmark
01 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode it is the turn of ‘A Neighbour’s Landmark‘ by M.R. James to receive the critial going-over it deserves at the hands of ...
Episode 26 – A Neighbour’s Landmark
01 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode it is the turn of ‘A Neighbour’s Landmark‘ by M.R. James to receive the critial going-over it deserves at the hands of ...
Interview with A.N. Donaldson
12 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike and Will speak to the author A.N. Donaldson, whose debut novel ‘Prospero’s Mirror‘ features M.R. James as the main...
Interview with A.N. Donaldson
12 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike and Will speak to the author A.N. Donaldson, whose debut novel ‘Prospero’s Mirror‘ features M.R. James as the main...
Episode 25 – The Uncommon Prayer-book
27 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will put on their golden pince-nez and crack the spine of ‘The Uncommon Prayer-book’ by M.R. James! Big thanks go ...
Episode 25 – The Uncommon Prayer-book
27 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will put on their golden pince-nez and crack the spine of ‘The Uncommon Prayer-book’ by M.R. James! Big thanks go ...
Episode 24 – The Haunted Dolls’ House
25 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Will and Mike delve into the toy box and pull out something truly horrible in the form of ‘The Haunted Doll’s House‘ by...
Episode 24 – The Haunted Dolls’ House
25 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Will and Mike delve into the toy box and pull out something truly horrible in the form of ‘The Haunted Doll’s House‘ by...
Reading – ‘Sredni Vashtar’ by Saki
12 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Due to illness we haven’t managed to record the next full episode yet, but in the meantime here’s a little something we hope you’ll ...
Reading – ‘Sredni Vashtar’ by Saki
12 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Due to illness we haven’t managed to record the next full episode yet, but in the meantime here’s a little something we hope you’ll ...
Episode 23 – The Fenstanton Witch
21 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Will and Mike travel back in time to the early 18th century to examine some diabolical goings on in rural Cambridgeshire in M.R. James...
Episode 23 – The Fenstanton Witch
21 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Will and Mike travel back in time to the early 18th century to examine some diabolical goings on in rural Cambridgeshire in M.R. James...
Episode 22 – Two Doctors
30 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will put on their thinking caps and puzzle their way through ‘Two Doctors‘ by M.R. James. Thanks to Kirsty for the...
Episode 22 – Two Doctors
30 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will put on their thinking caps and puzzle their way through ‘Two Doctors‘ by M.R. James. Thanks to Kirsty for the...
Episode 21 – The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance
22 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Christmas Special time again! This year Will & Mike look at the one and only M.R. James story actually set during the festive season, &...
Episode 21 – The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance
22 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Christmas Special time again! This year Will & Mike look at the one and only M.R. James story actually set during the festive season, &...
Episode 20 – Speaker Lenthall’s Tomb
09 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike and Will head up the road to Burford to take a peek inside Speaker Lenthall’s Tomb by M.R. James! Yes, it is another unpubl...
Episode 20 – Speaker Lenthall’s Tomb
09 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike and Will head up the road to Burford to take a peek inside Speaker Lenthall’s Tomb by M.R. James! Yes, it is another unpubl...
Episode 19 – John Humphreys
22 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will examine John Humphreys. No, not the newsreader, the unfinished story draft by M.R. James! The most complete version of th...
Episode 19 – John Humphreys
22 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike & Will examine John Humphreys. No, not the newsreader, the unfinished story draft by M.R. James! The most complete version of th...
Episode 18 – An Episode of Cathedral History
28 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Will & Mike slip into their cassocks, whip out their prayerbooks and head down to Southminster for ‘An Episode of Cathedral Hi...
Episode 18 – An Episode of Cathedral History
28 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Will & Mike slip into their cassocks, whip out their prayerbooks and head down to Southminster for ‘An Episode of Cathedral Hi...
Episode 17 – The Diary of Mr Poynter
09 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike and Will recoil in horror from some fearsome home furnishings in ‘The Diary of Mr Poynter’ by M.R. James. Big thanks to ...
Episode 17 – The Diary of Mr Poynter
09 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike and Will recoil in horror from some fearsome home furnishings in ‘The Diary of Mr Poynter’ by M.R. James. Big thanks to ...
Reading – Ghosts, Treat them Gently!
16 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Mike is off on his honeymoon at the moment, so in lieu of a full episode Will provides a reading of and short commentary on an M.R. James essay ‘...
Reading – Ghosts, Treat them Gently!
16 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Mike is off on his honeymoon at the moment, so in lieu of a full episode Will provides a reading of and short commentary on an M.R. James essay ‘...
Episode 16b – The Residence at Whitminster Part 2
02 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mike and Will as they peer through their scrying glass at the second installment of ‘The Residence at Whitminster’ by M.R. James. Mor...
Episode 16b – The Residence at Whitminster Part 2
02 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mike and Will as they peer through their scrying glass at the second installment of ‘The Residence at Whitminster’ by M.R. James. Mor...
Episode 16a – The Residence at Whitminster
15 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mike & Will for the first in a two part special on ‘The Residence at Whitminster’ by M.R. James! No black cockerels were harmed i...
Episode 16a – The Residence at Whitminster
15 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mike & Will for the first in a two part special on ‘The Residence at Whitminster’ by M.R. James! No black cockerels were harmed i...
M.R. James 150th Birthday Special!
29 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Lloyd Parry as M.R. James – photo by Shelagh Bidwell On the 1st August it will be exactly 150 years since the birth of M.R. James, and ...
M.R. James 150th Birthday Special!
29 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Lloyd Parry as M.R. James – photo by Shelagh Bidwell On the 1st August it will be exactly 150 years since the birth of M.R. James, and ...
Episode 15 – Mr Humphreys and his Interitance
11 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike and Will get hopelessly lost in ‘Mr Humphreys and his Inheritance’. It’s a-maze-ing! Show notes: Two Ghosts &...
Episode 15 – Mr Humphreys and his Interitance
11 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Mike and Will get hopelessly lost in ‘Mr Humphreys and his Inheritance’. It’s a-maze-ing! Show notes: Two Ghosts &...
Episode 14 – Martin’s Close
17 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike and Will investigate strange goings on in 17th Century Devon in Martin’s Close by M.R. James. Unrequited love, scoundrel sq...
Episode 14 – Martin’s Close
17 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike and Will investigate strange goings on in 17th Century Devon in Martin’s Close by M.R. James. Unrequited love, scoundrel sq...
Episode 13 – The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral
22 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Church matters concern Will and Mike this episode as they don their literary cassocks and plant their proverbial buttocks upon ‘The Stalls of Ba...
Episode 13 – The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral
22 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Church matters concern Will and Mike this episode as they don their literary cassocks and plant their proverbial buttocks upon ‘The Stalls of Ba...
Episode 12b – Casting the Runes
10 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we return to the diabolical doings of Mr Karswell in part two of our examination of ‘Casting the Runes’ by M.R. James. Show n...
Episode 12b – Casting the Runes
10 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we return to the diabolical doings of Mr Karswell in part two of our examination of ‘Casting the Runes’ by M.R. James. Show n...
Episode 12a – Casting the Runes
26 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mike & Will as they delve into Brian Blessed’s beard, the truth of alchemy, diabolical magic lantern shows and class war in the first o...
Episode 12a – Casting the Runes
26 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mike & Will as they delve into Brian Blessed’s beard, the truth of alchemy, diabolical magic lantern shows and class war in the first o...
Episode 11 – The Tractate Middoth
03 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike & Will whip out their library cards and prepare to crack the spine of ‘The Tractate Middoth’ by M.R. James. Quest...
Episode 11 – The Tractate Middoth
03 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike & Will whip out their library cards and prepare to crack the spine of ‘The Tractate Middoth’ by M.R. James. Quest...
Episode 10 – The Rose Garden
13 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Will & Mike experience the horticultural horror of M.R. James’s ‘The Rose Garden’. Thanks to Kirsty Woodfield wh...
Episode 10 – The Rose Garden
13 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Will & Mike experience the horticultural horror of M.R. James’s ‘The Rose Garden’. Thanks to Kirsty Woodfield wh...
Episode 9 – A School Story
29 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike & Will return to M.R. James’s old alma mater for chaos in the classroom, death in the dormitory and revenge in the refe...
Episode 9 – A School Story
29 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Mike & Will return to M.R. James’s old alma mater for chaos in the classroom, death in the dormitory and revenge in the refe...
Episode 8 – The Treasure of Abbot Thomas
16 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Will & Mike follow M.R. James on a terrifying treasure hunt to Germany in ‘The Treasure of Abbot Thomas’. Show notes: ...
Episode 8 – The Treasure of Abbot Thomas
16 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Will & Mike follow M.R. James on a terrifying treasure hunt to Germany in ‘The Treasure of Abbot Thomas’. Show notes: ...
Episode 7b – Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad
28 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features the second half of our podcast extravaganza on M.R. James’s seaside shocker ‘Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You...
Episode 7b – Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad
28 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features the second half of our podcast extravaganza on M.R. James’s seaside shocker ‘Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You...