Radio Drama
I listened to a play on Radio 4 today, the first time for - well, more years than I can remember. It was Cavalry by Dan Rebellato, who just happens to be a BTG reader, which, to be honest, is the only reason I listened.
(As an aside, he’d sent me a notification it was on via Facebook. Up until very recently I’d steered well clear of social network websites but I was talked into joining and have not regretted it. It’s proving very useful - and I’ve been experiencing some real “blasts from the past”, which has been wonderful. But back to the subject at hand…)
I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was a very clever piece of writing, but that’s not why I brought it up here. It occurs to me that the BTG is ignoring a whole area of dramatic writing and performance. We cover live theatre, of course, and Philip reviews a lot of DVDs, many of which were originally TV programmes, but we (well, Philip actually: I’m sure his days are longer than those of the rest of us!) have only ever reviewed seven audio dramas and we don’t even have an index for them - which is something I’ll have to put right asap - but even they were on CD, not radio.
Perhaps we should attempt to extend our coverage. We aspire to be as complete a guide as possible, so it would make sense, but there are, inevitably, problems, primarily of time and personnel.
Should we? I’d appreciate some feedback on this.
March 31st, 2008 at 02:54 pm
As a training ground for writers, Radio is a gold mine. I listen (and record) all the afternoon theatres, Saturday plays, Friday plays and Radio 3 drama. Radio 3 especially with the main play weekly (many times recordings of the latest work on the west end stage - eg Rock and Roll, Black Watch etc) not to mention “the Wire’ which monthly plays new and sometimes very experimental work are well worth keeping an ear on. Stoppard’s last birthday was celebrated with a collection of his best work (including a new version of R&G), the late Peter Tinniswood has written wonderful dramas for many of the country’s leading actors, and my own favourite - David Pownell - writes more for radio than for theatre.
Of course, some of the output is light but there is much of the more meaty variety to listen to. The Schiller “Mary Stuart” that started life in Sheffield (I believe) and then moved to London was broadcast just about the time of its move. “Gagarin Way” was one play I first heard on the radio and then managed to catch on the last performance of its London run.
So I agree that reviews and/or notifications of new radio drama would be a very worthwhile addition to the site.
Angus Hepburn
April 1st, 2008 at 08:24 am
I would personally be delighted if there was a place devoted to radio drama on the site. I’m a keen listener of BBC Radio Drama and I really miss some more information on the beautiful art of audio theatre. I’d like to add that I’m a PhD student of English from Poland where radio drama has a long tradition, although recently its popularity has been, unfortunately, declining quite rapidly. I don’t know if this is the right place to write it, but I would be very much interested in helping to develop the part of the site concerned with radio drama, if, of course, there is such a possibility.
April 1st, 2008 at 08:42 am
Hello there,
What an interesting article! I am an avid supporter of all things radio drama, and thought you might be interested in writing about www.wirelesstheatrecompany.co.uk - The Wireless Theatre Company produces a wide range of quality audio plays which are available to download free of charge. The aim is to foster new writing and acting talent, while bringing audio theatre to the ‘ipod’ generation and keeping this fantastic medium alive in an age preoccupied with complex graphics and extreme action.
In February, The Wireless Theatre Company secured entertainment legend Nicholas Parsons as patron, recording an inspiring interview with him which is available to download on the site. Last week, the company recorded a new comedy by Stuart Price, starring Prunella Scales, who has continually asserted her support of this exciting venture.
If you would be interested in speaking to The Wireless Theatre Company or if you would like any further information about the company we would all be delighted to help spread the word!
Video killed the radio star? Not a chance!!
Mariele
April 7th, 2008 at 06:05 am
fyi - Tanik Gupta’s Rudolpho’s Zest was broadcast Sunday April 6th on Radio3 with the following cast:
Rudolpho …… Ray Panthaki
Mel …… Lyndsey Marshal
Susan …… Adjoa Andoh
Sita …… Manjinder Virk
Firoz …… Paul Bhattacharjee
Mahesh …… Paul Bazely
Charles Darwin …… Geoffrey Whitehead
Alice …… Clare Corbett
Ghandi …… Sam Dastor
Nasreen …… Sakuntala Ramanee
Lord Williams …… Robert Maskell
Colonel Fitzherbert …… Peter Marinker
Charles …… Ben Onwukwe
Maid …… Liz Sutherland
Babulal …… Gagan Sharma
Young Rudolpho …… Alex Miller
It was preceded by Frayn’s translation of Chekhov’s Swan Song with Paul Scofield as the actor and Alec McCowen as the prompter - recorded in 2006 and rebroadcast as a tribute to the late Paul Scofield
Also the Saturday play was another excellent piece by Gregory Burke - Shell Shocked
with
John Buick, Angus McInnes, Paul Young, John Kielty, Richard Greenwood, and Jordan Young; Directed by Gaynor Macfarlane
All of these are available on the i-player for 7 days. - A very good weekend for radio drama, especially with the addition of pt 1 of 6 of A Dance to the Music of Time adapted from Anthony Powell’s novel as the new Classic Serial on Radio4, and Part one of The Norman Conquests on BBC7.
Angus