R4Extra Noel Coward Season

[jake]

There doesn't seem to be a Radio section so I'm posting this here in case anyone's interested:


www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0025svq/episodes/guide

Typically for the BBC the information is presented in a disjointed (almost incoherent) format but the season seems to start on Monday with Hay Fever (featuring, inter alia, Peggy Ashcroft and with Millicent Martin as Myra Arundel).  Quite a lot of these I don't remember hearing at all.  I'm particularly looking forward to Pat Routledge and Paul Schofield as Amanda and Elyot on Wednesday.  

[rumbledoll]

Radio section is really needed, there are great BBC dramatisations I’ve heard over the years (some of them are still on), will be nice to share and find out about new ones.

[Phantom of London]

The Elaine Paige Christmas Show available on sounds. Listening to the late Angela Lansbury singing We Need a Little Christmas from Mame from the said show right now on my way to see a show.

[ChristineH]

Dec 7, 2024 13:41:23 GMT rumbledoll said:

Radio section is really needed, there are great BBC dramatisations I’ve heard over the years (some of them are still on), will be nice to share and find out about new ones.

I agree that a radio section would be a good addition to this site.

[ibilondon]

A radio section would greatly improve my life! Always a bit lost when it comes to Radio drama.

Would love to have more suggestions (especially contemporary) - I listened to "Beside Myself" this year and would highly recommend.
Only listened because I am a massive fan of Daphne Du Maurier - was genuinely impressed.

A few years ago there was a great play by debbie tucker green on Radio 4, it was the life of Assata Shakur - still remember how great this was (especially the hospital scene).
So many gems on radio many (including myself) miss.

[jake]

Dec 12, 2024 9:49:49 GMT ibilondon said:

A radio section would greatly improve my life! Always a bit lost when it comes to Radio drama.

Would love to have more suggestions (especially contemporary) - I listened to "Beside Myself" this year and would highly recommend.
Only listened because I am a massive fan of Daphne Du Maurier - was genuinely impressed.

A few years ago there was a great play by debbie tucker green on Radio 4, it was the life of Assata Shakur - still remember how great this was (especially the hospital scene).
So many gems on radio many (including myself) miss.

Well, so far the Noel Coward season is certainly worth a recommendation.  The Vortex, in particular was very effective - especially Martin Jarvis, as Nicky, reminding us that he wasn't always just a nice reading tone for the likes of Just William or voiceovers.  In the opening Hay Fever there were many fine performance; and Millicent Martin's Myra - which I hadn't heard before- didn't disappoint.  Yesterday's Private Lives was fun, too, though if you know the play well you might find some of the added dialogue inserted to set the scene a tiny bit jarring.  One of my all time favourite Private Lives is another radio version with Helena Bonham Carter and Bill Nighy.  Apart from magnificent performances it always gives me a laugh when Amanda storms on to the balcony after a row with Victor and greets Elyot with Give me one, for god's sake.  Which is the original line - but in yesterday's version Patricia Routledge's words to Paul Schofield are something like For heaven's sake light me a cigarette - just in case listeners who can't see Elyot lighting his fag misinterpret Amanda's plea.  This version also features, as Sibyl, a rather different Miriam Margolyes from the one we're used to these days.

I'm looking forward to today's Design for Living.