The Cave: The Cave 

 

 

A drawing of a horse scratched onto a cave wall is vividly brought to life in this dramatic story where dreams become reality.

 

Creswell Crags is a ravine riddled with caves on theNottinghamshire-Derbyshire border. Here in a cave called Church Hole, the earliest example of cave art in Britain was discovered in 2003. This artwork which includes a horse scratched onto the wall is the inspiration for the first of five illustrated essays by different writers on the theme of 'The Cave'. Writer, naturalist and broadcaster Paul Evans considers the significance and symbolism of the cave horse. He reflects on whether it is more than a pictorial representation of an animal. Creswell Crags were also the inspiration for the painter George Stubbs. He studied horse anatomy and paintings such as Horse Frightened by a Lion and Horse Devoured by a Lion, are visual dramas set against a backdrop inspired by Creswell caves. Paul discusses not only on the work of George Stubbs, but also Henry David Thoreau, Byron and Ted Hughes all of whom have been inspired by wild nature but who have also been aware Man's attempts to tame, capture and enslave wild nature. What would happen if the cave horse could break free?

 

 

Writer : Paul Evans
Narrators: Paul Evans and Adjoa Andoh 
Wildlife sound recordist: Chris Watson
Producer: Sarah Blunt.