Radio Drama (Audio Drama) Spotlight

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

#104 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (BBC)

One of Jane Austen's most beloved novels and a must have for fans of her work. This dramatization doesn't disappoint.

When Mr. Dashwood dies, he must leave the bulk of his estate to the son by his first marriage, which leaves his second wife and three daughters (Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret) in straitened circumstances. They are taken in by a kindly cousin, but their lack of fortune affects the marriageability of both practical Elinor and romantic Marianne. When Elinor forms an attachment for the wealthy Edward Ferrars, his family disapproves and separates them. And though Mrs. Jennings tries to match the worthy (and rich) Colonel Brandon to her, Marianne finds the dashing and fiery Willoughby more to her taste. Both relationships are sorely tried. But this is a romance, and through the hardships and heartbreak, true love and a happy ending will find their way for both the sister who is all sense and the one who is all sensibility.

http://www.amazon.com/Sense-Sensibility-dramatization-Jane-Austen/dp/1602833141/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Post #103 Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/09/103-mansfield-park-jane-austen-bbc.html

Post #53 Emma by Jane Austen
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/53-emma-by-jane-austen-bbc.html

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

#103 Mansfield Park - Jane Austen (BBC)

Extremely difficult to find but a real treasure for fans of Jane Austen. This BBC full-cast radio drama features Hannah Gordon and Amanda Root.

Mansfield Park is the story of Fanny Price: the earnest, gentle girl of humble origins sent to live with Sir Thomas Bertram and his family in Mansfield Park. There she discovers a world of flirtation, betrayal and prejudice; her quiet, serious nature hides a loyal and loving heart, and her patient devotion is ultimately rewarded.

http://www.audiobookbargains.co.uk/jane-austen-mansfield-park-bbc-radio-4-drama-cd-audio-book-2976-p.asp

For more Jane Austen see:

Post #104 Sense and Sensibility
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/09/104-sense-and-sensibility-by-jane.html

Emma by Jane Austen at post # 53
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/53-emma-by-jane-austen-bbc.html

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

#102 Voyage (BBC)

Stephen Baxter's Voyage is an alternate history telling of events in the United States space race. Surviving the 1963 assassination attempt a wheelchair bound John F. Kennedy along side President Richard Nixon congratulate Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 crew for their successful moon landing. Taking things a step further Kennedy not only offers word of congratulation but also a challenge to move forward with the idea of the U.S. taking strides to reach Mars in the future. Voyage is the story of NASA's struggle to send a manned mission to Mars. Dirk Maggs produced and directed this incredible production.

From the BBC:
A BBC dramatization of a science-fiction adventure set in a world that almost existed but never did - a world in which John F. Kennedy survived the Dallas assassination attempt and, from his wheelchair, exhorted NASA to continue the building of space ships, and to fly them onward to Mars.

http://www.amazon.com/Voyage-Radio-Collection-Stephen-Baxter/dp/0563552417

#101 Towards Zero (BBC)

This BBC production of Agatha Christie's murder mystery Towards Zero starts out a bit slowly but builds into a fine story with a classic Christie twist at the end.

Lady Tresselian invites several guests to stay at her seaside house at Gull's Point. Against her better judgment she has allowed her late husband's ward, handsome and dashing tennis ace Neville Strange, and his wife Kay to come at the same time as Neville's ex-wife Audrey. Other guests include Mary, Lady Tresselian's companion; Ted, Kay's ever-present friend; Thomas, a family friend who has just returned from spending the war in Africa and Lady Tresselian's old friend Lord Justice Treves. When death visits Gull's Point the house party is thrown into turmoil. It is left to Scotland Yard's Detective Inspector Leach and Mr MacWhirter, an ex-detective who is also house guest, to solve the case.

Dramatized by Joy Wilkinson.
Directed by Mary Peate.

Featured in the cast:
Nevile............Hugh Bonneville
Lady Tresselian.......Marcia Warren
MacWhirter.........Tom Mannion
Audrey............Claire Rushbrook
Mary.............Julia Ford
Kay............Lizzy Watts
Latimer...........Joseph Kloska
Royde............Stephen Hogan
Treves...........David Hargreaves
Inspector Leach .......Philip Fox
Receptionist...........Annabelle Dowler
Sergeant...........Matt Addis
Umpire/Butler........Philip Fox
Receptionist...........Annabelle Dowler
Porter............Benjamin Askew

http://www.amazon.com/Towards-Zero-Full-Cast-Radio-Drama/dp/140841032X

Sunday, August 28, 2011

#100 The Posion Belt - Professor Challenger (American Radio Theater)

American Radio Theater presents the second of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Professor Challenger stories with The Poison Belt. This production, especially the acting, is very reminiscent of a BBC production. It feels like a sequel to the BBC's production of Conan Doyle's The Lost World which of course was the first and most famous in this series of stories.

Also available from American Radio Theater When The World Screamed (a Professor Challenger story.)

From ART:
THE POISON BELT - written by Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted by Cole Hornaday. The world swims through a belt of poison ether. Can Professor Challenger and his companions survive? 61 minutes (2008)

Featured in the cast: