Short Stories from Jesus College, Cambridge

Ghostly glimpses and covert crimes, love begun and love broken, imaginings of the future and tales of the past: 17 stories of Cambridge. Short Stories from Jesus College is a vibrant anthology of prize-winning short stories written and narrated by the members of the College community including students, staff, Fellows, and alumni. The first eight episodes cover five genres: ghost stories, crime, love, science fiction, and historical fiction, and showcase stories that were chosen by professional writers for their outstanding creativity, vividness, insight, and polish. Master Sonita Alleyne and author Emily Winslow introduce each episode from a relevant space within the College, and celebrate the history, diversity, and talent of the Jesus College community.

Episodes

Historical Fiction part 2: Too Son Made Glad, and Ladies' Night

June 24, 2025 • 24 mins

Two stories of mid-twentieth-century fictional crime. Credits: ‘Too Soon Made Glad’ was written by Rachel Gardner (2021), who studied English at Jesus College. The narrator is Ssegawa-Ssekintu Kiwanuka (2005), best known as Love Ssega, musician, producer and performing artist who studied Chemical Engineering at Jesus and completed a PhD in Laser Spectroscopy. In 2024, ‘Too Soon Made Glad’ tied for Best Historical Storytelling...

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Historical Fiction part 1: The Hyacinth Girl, and Space Songs for Ikeya-Seki

June 24, 2025 • 33 mins

Two stories set in the 1960s, one in the context of the Vietnam War and one about the visit of an awe-inspiring comet. Credits: ‘The Hyacinth Girl ‘was written by Eliza Powers (1994), who was an Undergraduate visiting student from Pomona College, California.The narrator is Dr Matt Wilkinson, current Director of Studies in Natural Sciences at Jesus College, specialising in Zoology, and also a freelance popular science writer a...

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Science Fiction part 2: Enhanced, and Feel no Evil

June 17, 2025 • 26 mins

Two stories of future horror, one physical and one psychological Credits: ‘Enhanced’ was written by Arabella Tedder (2020), who was studying English at Jesus College. The narrator is Grainne Dromgoole (2016) who is a stage and voice actor who studied English at Jesus. ‘Enhanced’ was awarded Best Physical Horror Science Fiction Story in the 2023 competition. ‘Feel No Evil’ was written by Deborah Omolegan-Obe (2022) who ...

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Science Fiction part 1: Major Moon, Astroentomologist, and Echoes in the Chapel

June 17, 2025 • 30 mins

Science Fiction part 1: Major Moon, Astroentomologist, and Echoes in the Chapel Credits: ‘Major Moon, Astroentomologist’ written by Ella Curry (2019), who was Communication and Marketing Assistant in the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College between completing her English BA at Jesus, and going on to pursue a Master’s degree in entomology. It was narrated by Francesca Beard (1986) who is an internationally acclaimed spoken wo...

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Love Stories: Abide with me and Misjudgement

June 10, 2025 • 22 mins

Two stories that contrast the hope and the pain of love relationships. Credits: ‘Abide with Me’, written by Anika Goddard (2021), who studied Undergraduate English at Jesus College. It was narrated by Francesca Beard (1986), an internationally acclaimed spoken word artist who studied English at Jesus College. 'Abide with Me’ was awarded Best Hopeful Love Story in the 2022 competition. ‘Misjudgement’ written by Rachel Gardn...

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Crime Stories: A Murder of Crow witnesses, and Is it a Crime

June 10, 2025 • 40 mins

Three stories that look at crime from distinct angles: a classic detective story, a story that uses humour and hyperbole to explore great sadness, and one that elevates tragedy with soaring descriptions of love lost. Credits: ‘A Murder of Crow Witnesses’ written by James McCarthy, screenwriter and husband to Sonita Alleyne, Master of the College. Narrated by Qawiiah Bisiriyu (2021). A Murder of Crow Witnesses was awarded Best...

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Ghost Stories part 2: Lavender and The Last Human

June 3, 2025 • 33 mins

Two stories that use the supernatural in unusual ways, one exploring the senses, the other cautioning of danger ahead. Credits: Lavender written by Lisa Rowe, Domestic Bursar’s Assistant at Jesus College. Narrated by Hugh Stubbins (2011), writer and stage and television actor, who studied History at Jesus. Our singer is April Perrott (2021), who studied English at Jesus. Lavender was awarded Best Descriptive Ghost Story in the...

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Ghost Stories part 1: Recycling and The Heavy Sky

June 3, 2025 • 28 mins

Two stories that straddle the line between literal ghosts and hauntings created by the experiencer’s state of mind. Credits: Recycling, written by James Clackson, Fellow in Classics at Jesus College. Narrated by Hugh Stubbins (2011) - writer and stage and television actor who studied History at Jesus. Recycling was awarded Best Classic Ghost Story in the 2020 competition. The Heavy Sky, written by Lucy Edwards (2013), PGCE...

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Trailer

May 28, 2025 • 1 min

Series launching on 3rd June 2025.

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