Sláine: The Horned God, a tale of ancient Celtic heroes and villains, monsters and magic, dragons and demons, and goddesses and gods returns to the stage next year, thanks to professional storyteller Jason Buck.

In partnership with 2000AD and Rebellion, Jason has created an official adaptation of 2000AD‘s Slaine: The Horned God, based on the story written by Pat Mills, first performed at the Oxford Playhouse in September.

Now, the show will tour across the UK during 2026, with additional dates to be added, and a Digital Screening of the show will take place in March – tickets available here.

Created by Pat Mills “the godfather of British comics” and Angie Kincaid, Sláine has captured the imagination of comics readers for generations. Set in a “time which is not a time” when Britain was rife with magic and mischief, this show brings together the epic heroic exploits and divine transformation of the one who would be High King of the Tribes of the Earth Goddess, reimagining ancient mythologies, and brought to life through traditional storytelling, for modern audiences.

Reaction to early performances has been suitably positive.

“My friends and I saw Jason and I was absolutely blown away,” said showgoner Erika, from Warwickshire. “It was my first time at one of his events and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I can’t recommend these events enough.”

“Jason Buck is a man made of myth, magic and mead,” enthuses Abbie of the Strange Times Storytelling Club. “His stories are filled with adventure, his beard is full of unexpected twists and his tankard filled with a poet’s brew. Sit around the fire and listen to his tales – you won’t be disappointed.”

This production reimagines ancient mythologies and brings to life the traditional art of storytelling for modern audiences.

Jason Buck has been a performer most of his adult life, including gurning, comedy and sword swallowing, but his passion lies in stories.

“There’s nothing like getting lost in a story, the pictures in your head are better than film,” the prize winning storyteller says.

Jason has also written and published seven illustrated collections of stories, including Stories from the Towers of Stone and Steel and Jack in the Blood, the latter inspired by testing on Jason’s ancestral DNA.

 A teller of tall tales, a weaver of whimsies and a fashioner of fables, Jason draws on traditional favourites and new ideas. His stories are told in the oldest and best ways – as live performances for modern audiences.  

Based in the West Midlands of England, as well as a global online audience, Jason has performed across the UK and mainland Europe, blending traditional and contemporary motifs, vocal sound effects and pure, unadulterated fantasy.

Slaine: The Horned God: Dates and Tickets

Ages: Adult and teen (12+), not suitable for children

January 2026

• 15th January: Burton Tayor, Oxford | Buy your tickets here
• 20th January: Temperance Café Bar, Leamington | Buy your tickets here
• 22nd January: Glastonbury Assembly Rooms | Buy your tickets here

February 2026

• 9th February: The Hop Sun Tap (Microbrewery), Haywards Heath | Buy your tickets here
• 16th February: Cafe #9, Sheffield | Buy your tickets here
• 18th February: Micklethwait Social – Jorvik Viking Festival Fringe | Buy your tickets here
• 20th February: Butser Ancient Farm, Hampshire | Buy your tickets here
• 21st February: Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Shropshire | Buy your tickets here

March 2026

• 5th March: Merlin’s Cafe Bar, Birmingham | Buy your tickets here
• 20th March: The Pit at Newstead (Notts) | Buy your tickets here
• 22nd March: Digital Screening! | Buy your tickets here

• Jason Buck is online at jasonbuckstoryteller.co.uk | Facebook | Instagram | Threads

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John Freeman

John  is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of  comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.

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Categories: 2000AD, British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds

Tags: 2000AD, downthetubes News, Jason Buck, Pat Mills, Simon Bisley, Slaine