David Bramwell

Since 2010 David Bramwell has been performing as Lord Summerisle in Sing-Along-A-Wicker-Man, a show that attracts more than its fair share of pagans, despite the film’s portrayal of them as a homicidal cult. Since early Christianity, pagans have largely been portrayed as purveyors of the dark arts. What led us to demonise a way of life that honours nature and gave us such beloved festivals as May Day, Halloween and Yuletide?

In this entertaining and thought-provoking talk Bramwell unravels the history and cultural significance of The Wicker Man and its haunting soundtrack. He’ll share insights into the film’s messy relationship with paganism via interviews with druids, the film’s late director and musician Julian Cope. He also promises to rip up and rewrite the ‘unholy trinity’ of folk horror, reveal a secret Muppet version of The Wicker Man and teach the actions to the Maypole Song.

David Bramwell is presenter of Adventures in Nutopia podcast. He is also a writer, performer, broadcaster and singer-songwriter with the band Oddfellow’s Casino. His work includes The Cult of Water, The Haunted Moustache and The Singalong-A-Wicker-Man Scrapbook. For BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4 he has made programmes on subjects ranging from alternative communities to tricksters.

www.drbramwell.com