David Ian Neville: Radio Plays
I met David Neville at the Imison / Tinniswood Awards in October 2010. He works for BBC Scotland, and is an experienced producer of radio drama. I have listed a few of his more recent productions below (simply a summary of BBC blurb in most cases, for which I apologise). Older items are lower down.
N.D.
11 Aug 18: Saturday Play - The Bargain
By Ian Curteis, based on an actual meeting of Robert Maxwell and Mother Teresa in 1988, when she was visiting London. Maxwell wants Teresa to lend her name to a religious publishing venture. Rpt. from 2016. Maxwell: David Horovitch, Mother Teresa: Charlotte Cornwell, Sidekick: David Sibley, Sister: Geraldine Alexander. Producer: David Ian Neville.
FLYING BACKWARDS....2012
19 Jun 12. Radio play about making a radio play. By Jack Klaff.
Johnnie is back in Cape Town to record his new radio play - his first in his home town after many years abroad. In the cast, to Johnnie's surprise, is Vicki, with whom he had a passionate affair decades ago.
Cast:
Vicki/Maureen........................ALICE KRIGE
Johnnie.................................JACK KLAFF
Ma.......................................DOREEN MANTLE
Deon/Andrew/Bruce.................VINCENT EBRAHIM
Tyrone...................................DON MCCORKINDALE
Michelle/Lizzie........................HELEN SZYMCZAK
Producer/Director: David Ian Neville.
PINKERTON....2010
By Ronald Frame, R4, Tues 2 Mar 2010; set in the new immigrant community in America in the 1840s. Scotsman Allan Pinkerton turns detective when an influx of fake money threatens the local economy. Cast: Forbes Masson, Rachel Ogilvy, Sam Dale, Marcella Riordan, Alison Pettitt. Robert Jezek, John Biggins, Bruce Alexander. Producer David Ian Neville.
LEGACY....2010
Devised and produced by David Ian Neville. 1st episode 22 Aug 2010. Two episodes a week apart. BBC R7, 1830-1900. Drama with a linked online audio game. Twins Harry and Jules are left a legacy which might just kill them....
When Jules and Harry go in search of their grandmother's legacy, secrets from the past are uncovered and lives, including their own, are put at risk. It emerges that their grandmother worked for the secret services during the war and helped to develop the Legacy Project - a secret weapon to disrupt and defeat the Nazis in the event of Britain being invaded.
It should have been deactivated after the war, but was secretly kept in commission. Now Harry and Jules have been left the challenge of finding and deactivating it. However others are on the trail, and not everyone has peaceful intentions.
The drama is further explored in the Legacy adventure game, which was available online at bbc.co.uk/radioscotland when the drama was broadcast.
Legacy game producer Brendan Crowther. BBC Scotland Radio Drama; BBC Scotland New Media co-production.
FIREWORKS AT THE VILLA LUCIA....2009
31 12 2009 Thursday BBC Radio 4 14:15 Afternoon Play Fireworks at the Villa Lucia. Comedy drama by Paul Mendelson. When Pete; a struggling TV writer; and his wife Julie find themselves staying in the same Italian villa as cult movie Director David Joe Jakes tries to sell his dog-eared screenplay as the true story of how he met his wife. The fireworks begin when he pressgangs his wife into pretending to be a fiery; psychotic; Venezuelan ex-soap star; while he masquerades as her psychoanalyst. With Philip Whitchurch; Samantha Bond; Kerry Shale; Megg Nicol. Pete ...... Philip Whitchurch Julie/Julia ...... Samantha Bond David ...... Kerry Shale Cassie ...... Megg Nicol Lucia/Mrs Booth ...... Flamina Cinque Elio/Eric ...... Dan Starkey, Directed by David Ian Neville.
BEST FRIENDS....2009
7 9 2009 Monday BBC Radio 4 14:15 Afternoon Play Best Friends By Clara Glynn. When Charlotte is convicted of killing her baby; her best friend Sam begins a campaign to clear her name and find out the truth. Sam ...... Shonagh Price Charlotte ...... Louise Ludgate David ...... Robin Laing Hamish/Radio presenter ...... Steven McNicoll Archie ...... Crawford Logan Weather girl/Prison guard ...... Kirstin Murray Rory ...... Cameron McNee, Directed by David Ian Neville.
DESPERATE MEASURES....2009
18 6 2009 Thursday BBC Radio 4 14:15 Afternoon Play Desperate Measures. Written by David Ian Neville. In an old warehouse by the River Clyde; Paul and Mhairi Blaze have built a successful design company. But as the economic downturn bites; they need more than grand designs to save their business and their relationship. Mhairi ...... Gabriel Quigley Paul ...... Neil McKinven Clara ...... Daniela Nardini Helen ...... Molly Innes Charli ...... Nicola Jo Cully Harry ...... Phil McKee, Directed by Kirsty Williams.
CONSIDERATION....2009
24 4 2009 Friday BBC Radio 4 21:00 Friday Play, by Robert Messik. Eleanor did not hesitate to donate a kidney to her husband when he needed it. But two years later Peter left her and their children for another woman. Now she is suing him for the return of her kidney. Eleanor ...... Tracy-Ann Oberman Peter ...... Paul Bown Eleanor's barrister/Simon ...... Richard Derrington Peter's barrister/Mary ...... Tracy Wiles Alexia/Miss Tonnel ...... Alison Pettitt Tony/Judge ...... Andrew Sachs Dr Rosen/Ben Grant ...... David Bannerman. Producer: David Neville.
SUNSET SONG....2009
15 3 2009 Sunday BBC Radio 4 15:00 Classic Serial Sunset Song Episode 1 :Gerda Stevenson's dramatisation of the 1932 novel by Lewis Grassic Gibbon; set in north-east Scotland before and during the First World War. Chris Guthrie is torn between her love of the land and her ambition to become a teacher. As Chris' domineering father struggles with the harshness of the land; her mother's fear of childbirth leads her to despair. Chris Guthrie ...... Lesely Hart John Guthrie ...... Liam Brennan Jean Guthrie ...... Bridget McCann Will Guthrie ...... Gordon Brandie Mistress Munro ...... Estrid Barton Long Rob ...... Matthew Zajac Chae Strachan ...... Douglas Russell Kirsty Strachan ...... Shonagh Price Margot Strachan ...... Sally, Reid Ewan Tavendale ...... Finn Den Hertog ; producer David Neville.
22 3 2009 Sunday BBC Radio 4 15:00 Classic Serial Sunset Song Episode 2 : After her father's death; Chris is determined to stay and work the farm alone if need be. Joined by Ewan Tavendale in marriage and on the farm; Chris gives birth to a son. But the outbreak of the First World War brings devastating change to her family; the rural landscape and the community. Chris Guthrie ...... Lesely Hart Ewan Tavendale ...... Finn Den Hertog Chae Strachan ...... Douglas Russell Long Rob ...... Matthew Zajac Mistress Munro ...... Estrid Barton Kirsty Strachan ...... Shonagh Price Rev Colquohoun ...... Fraser Sivewright Rev Gibbon ...... Keith Hutcheon . Producer David Neville.
JUBA FM....2008
11.1.2008. John Tuckey's fictionalised dramatisation of events during the months leading up to the signing of the peace treaty in Southern Sudan in 2005. Shima Paul ...... Anna Bengo Phil Hardy ...... Struan Rodger Matthew Lako ...... Cyril Nri Rejoice Bonju ...... Adjoa Andoh Hassan Peter ...... David Baker Michael ...... Mo Sesay Lucy ...... Janice Acquah. Directed by David Ian Neville.
BLAZE....2008
24.7.2008. Blaze, by Ann Marie Di Mambro. The public image of Scottish designers and entrepreneurs Paul and Mhairi Blaze is that of two people with the Midas touch. But as a young film maker follows their every move; their personal and professional world goes into freefall. Paul Blaze ...... Neil McKinven Mhairi Blaze ...... Kate Dickie Jean/Sarah ...... Carol Ann Crawford Garry ...... Kenny Blyth Rachel ...... Hannah Donaldson Eddie/presenter ...... Sandy Grierson Daniel/reporter ...... Jamie Brotherston. Producer David Neville.
DOVER AND THE UNKINDEST CUT OF ALL....2008
9.8.2008. Saturday Play. Comedy thriller by Joyce Porter; set in the 1970s; dramatised by Paul Mendelson. Chief Inspector Dover's annual seaside break becomes a busman's holiday with the death of a local policeman. Was it suicide and was it linked to the recent murder of a well-known gangster? It's another strange case for Scotland Yard's laziest detective. Chief Inspector Dover ...... Kenneth Cranham Sgt McGregor ...... Stuart McQuarrie Chief Constable ...... Philip Madoc Mrs Dover ...... Carolyn Pickles Sgt Rhys-Smith ...... Gareth Armstrong Joey the Jock ...... Ben Crowe Miss Ffiske ...... Jennifer Hill Sandra Pugh ...... Siwan Morris Directed by David Ian Neville.
THE HAVERSTOCK HILL MURDER....2008
18. 10 .2008. Saturday Play. By George R Sims; dramatised by Roger Danes. Renowned Victorian lady detective Dorcas Dene is commissioned by a desperate mother to save her son from the gallows after he is accused of the brutal murder of his wife. The problem is that the victim named her husband as the assailant with her dying breath. Paul Dene ...... Greg Powrie Dorcas Dene ...... Lucy Paterson Mrs.Hannaford ...... Edith Macarthur Inspector Swanage ...... Finlay McLean PC Hargreaves ...... Mark McDonnell Charles Hannaford ...... Nick Farr Flash George ...... Terry Wale Martha Drayson ...... Noreen Leighton Produced by Patrick Rayner. Directed by David Ian Neville.
BROKEN ENGLISH....2008
15.2.2008.The Friday Play. Frank Deasy's play tells the story of a Kurdish family detained in Dungavel for over a year and living under the constant threat of deportation. Their plight became a cause celebre; raising questions in the Scottish Parliament and beyond. Beriwan Ay ...... Livia Arditti Yurdagul Ay ...... Pembe Peri-Natgi Gus (prison officer) ...... Stuart McQuarrie Margaret (prison officer) ...... Carolyn Bonnyman James Elliot ...... Mark Straker Police officer/transport officer ...... Saikat Ahamed Jayne Cummings ...... Robin Weaver Bishop John Mone ...... David Ashton Teacher/policewoman ...... Tracy Wiles Ukrainian boy ...... Daniel Lane Medja ...... Carly Schogger Dilowan ...... Sam Marzell Newroz ...... Teresa O'Brien With Kirsty Wark and Andrew Cassell. Directed by David Ian Neville.
compiled by Nigel Deacon / Diversity website
