Be the fairest of them all, and you’ll win the prize. Depend on the hero – he knows best. Marry the prince and you'll live happily ever after. Don’t grow old, or risk becoming an ugly, evil hag. For centuries, folklore and fairytales have reinforced limiting gender stereotypes, confining heroines to narrow, conventional roles.
In this talk, Dr Ceri Houlbrook will explore how folklore is much more than just fairy-tale clichés. Hidden within women’s stories and folk songs are powerful messages of anger, fear, resilience, and hope. We’ll look at how these stories have been preserved and shaped by women, and how they continue to influence ideas about gender and societal norms today. By uncovering the legacies of these women and the stories they championed, this talk reveals how folklore has served as a subtle but powerful tool for female emancipation, equality, and empowerment.
Doors open at 6:30pm, talk starts at 7.30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!
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Speaker Bio:
Dr Ceri Houlbrook, Senior Lecturer in Folklore and History, is the Programme Leader for the MA Folklore Studies at the University of Hertfordshire. She is also a Council member of the Folklore Society. Her primary interests are the modern adaptations of stories, ritual practices, and popular beliefs. She has written several scholarly books on folklore's journey through the past and present, as well as folklore-inspired fiction.
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This talk is 16+. All under 18s must be accompanied by an adult, and all under 25s may require government issued photo ID to gain entry. Last entry is 7pm.
For accessibility requirements, please contact the venue with any accessibility requirements before booking. Spaces may be limited and will be sold on a first come first served basis.You can call: 0121 693 2248 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm & Sat/Sun 12-6pm) or email info@glee.co.uk with your access requirements and the show you wish to see in order to make a booking. Disabled Access is available by lift.
