Chasing Crockern: the timeless magic of Dartmoor

Event information

On a stormy night on Dartmoor, a midwife is woken by a strange-looking man whose wife needs urgent help. Driving at breakneck speed through lanes that become increasingly unfamiliar, she arrives at a mysterious old cottage where things are not quite what they seem. As mist rolls over ancient granite, tors move and rivers speak, the midwife realises that this midnight call for help has had some unexpected consequences …

Chasing Crockern blends storytelling for adults with the sounds and voices of Dartmoor to bring the spirit of the moor alive in a new way for today’s audiences. Guided by storytellers Sara Hurley and Lisa Schneidau, you’ll hear ancient creation myths and medieval legends, folktales, and everyday adventures in a show that blurs the boundaries between folklore and reality.

Whether Dartmoor feels like home or remains a mystery, this performance invites you to immerse yourself in its stories and uncover its timeless magic — revealed, reimagined, and alive.

Chasing Crockern takes its name from Sabine Baring-Gould's tale of Old Crockern. The performance has emerged from a series of community events, school workshops, story walks, and talks with elders across Dartmoor over the past year.

Generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, using money raised by National Lottery players, this project is a collaboration between Dartmoor-based storytellers Sara Hurley and Lisa Schneidau and Devon arts charity Villages in Action.

This show is designed for adults and is suitable for ages 13+.

Presented in association with Villages in Action


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