Jack Klaff Radio Plays

Jack Klaff was born and educated in South Africa. He is an actor, writer and academic. His film/TV roles include Star Wars 4 (1977), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Chernobyl, the Final Warning (1991), Red Dwarf, Cadfael, and Elemental Storage (2009). He has held professorships at Princeton and Starlab. As for radio, he has done a lot of work for the medium, as writer and performer, in comedy and in more serious drama.

A few of Jack's radio appearances:

AS PERFORMER:
Comedies:
Delve Special, with Stephen Fry
The Sit-Crom
Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off

Readings:
The Hottentot Room
A Sunrise on the Veld
White Boyn Running
Another Day
In the Withaak's Shade
Yellow Moepels
Cometh Comet
The Chiropodist
Report on an unidentified Space Station

Drama:
The Hunchback of Norte Dame (Classic Serial)
Mary Stuart
Too Late the Phalarope
Spoiling Egypt
Time Of Their Lives
The Importance of being Frank
The Slip
The Forsyte Chronicles
A Madman of Convenidence
The Sea Wolf
Only the Good Die Young
Blood and Ice
The Film Society (R3)
A Woman of No Importance
Riders of the Purple Sage
Les Blancs
The War of the End of the World
Pawnshop Blues
Sherlock Holmes
Brave New World
The Man Who Knew Everything
La Petite Mort
Troll
A Perfect Spy
My Supply Teacher is an Alien
Medical Detectives
Bird with One Wing
Kipling in Love
The Code of the Woosters
Zola
Dusty Won't Play
Eric
The Republicans: Richard Nixon

AS WRITER:

COVID-INSPIRED DRAMAS: TOGETHERNESS (UK)....2020
By Jack Klaff and Nicholas McInerny. Produced by International Arts Partnership, 'Togetherness' has been hailed 'a work of genius' by Susie at Star Inn, Old Heathfield. A short form work inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic, this 7 minute drama gives a snapshot response to England's wave of community volunteers. Recorded in lockdown, via Zoom, this recording reflects the versatility and determination of producers and teams across the world who have worked creatively to form their entries into The Speak Softly Shop. Ed: Clive Perrot, Bea: Jackie Stirling, Samuel Pepys: Jonathan Keeble, Kathrine Mansfield: Mufrida Hayes, Giovanni Boccaccio: Jack Klaff, Franz Kafka: Peter Svatik, Daniel Defoe: Cavin Cornwell. Directed by Jonathan Banatvala, edited and mixed by Justin Farndale, production coordination by Jimmy Fay: created for the The Speak Softly Shop; producer Melanie Nock, Artistic Director Jonathan Banatvala.


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.

Three-Five-Silly-Twerp*
shortlisted for Tinniswood Award 2003

Three-Five-Silly-Twerp explores the ability of love and personality to triumph over the loss of the power to speak.

Peggy suffers a stroke. Then, just a few months later, as if in sympathy, her husband, Don, has a stroke, too. Same part of the brain, same limbs affected, speech affected in very similar ways. Peggy ends up with just two all-purpose words: 'Esscum' and 'Nkyou'. Don has only one expression: 'Three-five-silly-twerp'. In a series of extremely moving scenes, with minimal dialogue, we hear Don and Peggy communicate with warmth, humour and compassion. But as their son, Karl, tries to come to terms with his parents’ illness he finds his marriage disintegrating. Karl and his wife Julie are highly intelligent and extremely articulate, but try as they may they can’t communicate with each other.

Three-Five-Silly-Twerp was inspired by a true story. The real Don and Peggy really did manage to continue their loving relationship with only three expressions between them.

Cast: Alec McCowen (Gangs of New York) Vivian Pickles (Elizabeth R; Harold and Maude), William Gaminara (The Archers) and Tara Fitzgerald (Brassed Off)
Producer: David Ian Neville
Broadcast: 02/10/2003, BBC Radio 3

Jack Klaff is an author, journalist, broadcaster, performer, director and comedy writer. His radio credits include the following dramas, adaptations and documentaries: Siggie and Carl; Lots of Suddenlies; On The White Line; Hullo Fridge; That’s Easy For You To Say; My Best Poetry Voice; Acting for the Deep Future - Talk about Starlab

TV & film credits include: Reconstructed Heart; Nagging Doubt; The Fifty Minute Hour; Maybe Baby; Out to Lunch and A Short film About Slipping.

His theatre credits as a writer include: Cuddles; What’s Inside? ; Nagging Doubt; Kafka; Letters Alone; The Whole Shebang; and Daddy Take Me To The Funfair.

His novels include Miss McKirdy’s Daughters Will Now Dance the Highland Fling (co-author) and Bluff Your Way in the Quantum Universe.

He has won two Fringe First Awards at the Edinburgh Festival and the Jack Hargreaves Award from BBC TV’s Script Unit for innovative use of the medium of television.

Information supplied by Jo Hodder, Society of Authors;used by permission.

AS ACTOR .... NOTES ON A FEW OF THE PLAYS

2018-10-13 The Republicans, Richard Nixon: Searchlight Has Left the Building
By Jonathan Myerson. Dramas following the political swings of The Republican Party, through the personal stories of its Presidents. Based on the accounts of those who were there, we imagine the triumphs and disasters which have driven the party's electoral fortunes. 1970. President Nixon has announced the invasion of Cambodia, and student protests have ignited across the US, with National Guardsmen shooting four dead at Kent State University. Washington is on high alert. When the insomniac President wakes up at 4a.m. to see defiant students gathering at the Lincoln Memorial, he walks over to talk to them, taking his White House butler with him. The Secret Service are left struggling to catch up, as the night takes a bizarre turn. Richard Nixon . . . Jonathan Hyde, Arnold Hutschnecker . . . Jack Klaff, Manolo Sanchez . . . Joseph Balderrama, Pat Nixon . . . Emma Handy, Carrie Moore . . . Ellen Thomas, Bob Haldemann . . . Aaron Vodovoz, Secret Serviceman . . . Ryan Whittle, Young Richard Nixon . . . Rupert Simonian, Student . . . Saffron Coomber, Writer . . . Jonathan Myerson, Producer . . . Jonquil Panting.

2014-10-15 Eric, Ep. 2
By Terry Pratchett, ad. Robin Brooks. Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels combine a Technicolor imagination with a sharp wit, especially when he rewrites Faust as the spotty teenage demonologist Eric. in this episode (2 of 4), young Eric wants to rule the world, and junior wizard Rincewind actually manages to magic him up a tribal kingdom among the Tezumen, in the rainforests of Klatch. But everything changes when they meet the Tezumen's bloodthirsty deity: Quetzovercoatl. Rincewind ..... Mark Heap, Eric ..... Will Howard, Parrot ..... Ben Crowe, Ponce Da Quirm ..... Jack Klaff, Demon King Astfgl ..... Nicholas Murchie, Screwpate ..... Michael Shelford, Quetzovercoatl ..... Robert Blythe, Narrator ..... Rick Warden, Producer ..... Jonquil Panting.

2013-02-12 Dusty Won't Play
By Annie Caulfield. The play looks at Dusty Springfield's short South African tour. Drawing on eye witness accounts, the drama recreates the 1964 South Africa that Dusty challenged - Nelson Mandela had just been jailed for life; liberals were spied on, detained and destroyed. Dusty was popular worldwide, having hit records and presenting the television show Ready Steady Go. She took an interest in politics but underestimated the trouble her personal stand in South Africa would cause. She had the support of her band and the promoter Dennis Wainer, but much of the press and some of her own profession were against her. Back in England, Dusty was jeered at for being naïve and seeking publicity, but she was determined that Apartheid couldn't be supported. Charlie Brooks plays Dusty, with Jack Klaff, Vincent Ebrahim, Jonny Freeman, Danny Lee Wynter and Rasmus Hardiker. Directed by Marilyn Imrie and produced by Gordon Kennedy.

2013-01-30: Albert Speer's Walk around the World
By Michael Butt. This used the same subject matter as a play done by Jonathan Smith about 20 years ago, entitled 'The World Walk'. Speer was Hitler's chief architect and Minister for Armaments and War Production. In prison, he was rigorously self-disciplined and set himself a tough regime. Speer designd and created a garden in the spacious yard of Spandau and was fond of his rockery and flowers. He also walked around the prison - on the imaginary journeys he devised to engage his mind - and planning his routes carefully. It totalled many thousands of miles over the course of his sentence. Albert Speer .......... Patrick Malahide. Narrator .......... Daniel Weyman. McCleod .......... Daniel Weyman. Kuryev .......... Basher Savage. Donitz .......... Nicholas Woodeson. Hess .......... Jack Klaff. Maria .......... Mia Soteriou. Margaret Hess .......... Mia Soteriou. Mr Young .......... Patrick Brennan. American Tourist .......... Patrick Brennan. Technical production: Peregrine Andrews. Producer: Judith Kampfner. Exec Producer: Jill Waters. Indie (Waters Company production).

2012-07-20 Zola
By Richard Monks. The story behind barefoot runner Zola Budd's attempt to win gold at the 1984 Olympics. Zola Budd ..... Jessica Sian, Denis Howell ..... David Calder, Frank Budd ..... Jack Klaff, Brian Vine ..... Don Gilet, Sir David English ..... Patrick Brennan, Pieter Labuschagne ..... Harry Livingstone, Geoffrey Howe ..... Robert Blythe, Andrew Landen ..... Sam Alexander, Mrs. Darbo ..... Amaka Okafor, Reporter ..... Joe Sims. Director: David Hunter.

2012-05-21 Troll
By Ed Harris. Adult cares mix with childhood fears, in this comic twisted fairytale, which won the Writers' Guild Award for Best Radio Drama of 2011. In the middle of a family crisis, Olivia discovers a troll under her mother's kitchen sink. A troll to whom, in the magic days of childhood, she once promised herself as a meal. Olivia ..... Rosie Cavaliero, James ..... Ewan Bailey, Troll ..... Jack Klaff, Mum ..... Marcia Warren, Matt ..... Michael Shelford. Produced by Jonquil Panting.

2006-04-09 The Code of the Woosters
1/2. By PG Wodehouse, ad. Judith French. Bertie Wooster 's old pal Gussie Fink-Nottle parts from his fiancee Madeline and appeals for Bertie's help to mend the rift. Unluckily for him, the code of the Woosters is: "Never Let a Pal Down". Bertie: Marcus Brigstocke, Jeeves: Andrew Sachs, Aunt Dahlia: Carolyn Pickles, Madeline: Flaminia Cinque, Sir Watkyn: Jon Glover, Roderick: Jack Klaff, Gussie: Jeremy Swift, Stephanie: Tracy Wiles, Harold: Kim Wall, Constable Oates: Anthony Glennon, Music David Pickvance. Producer Jonquil Panting.

2004-03-31 Heart Transplant, 2
By Jonathan Holloway, narrated by Rosie Goldsmith, broadcast in two parts. Story of the world's first heart transplant operation. Ep. 2: Now that Louis Washansky has his new heart, all the team has to do is to keep the patient alive. Prof Christian Barnard: Miles Anderson, Louis: Ian McNeice, Prof. Schrire: Jack Klaff, Dr Venter: Stephen Critchlow, DrOzinsky: Carl Oatley, Mrs Washkansky: Rowena Cooper, Dr Botha: John Tewer, Philip: Paul Humpoletz, Mrs Blaiberg: Eva Haddon.

1994-11-01 A Perfect Spy
By John le Carre, in eight parts. Ep 6 ... Jack Brotherhood continues with his investigations, picking his way through the past life of the missing Magnus Pym. Axel .......... Jack Klaff, Rick .......... Malcolm Tierney, Belinda .......... Sally Grace, Young Magnus .......... Julian Rhind-Tutt, Paul .......... Gareth Armstong, Lucy .......... Rebecca Cullum, Professor .......... John Carlin, Chairman .......... Colin Pinney, Colonel .......... Dominic Letts. Music by Max Harris. Adapted by Rene Basilico. Producer John Fawcett Wilson.

1992-04-23 Only the Good Die Young
A techno-thriller in six parts by Shaun Prendergast. 1: Why would computer expert Mike kill himself his wedding day? Could it be connected to his sensitive job at Peregrine Communications Systems? Kim Drake: Siriol Jenkins, Mike Fisher: Neil Roberts, Anne: Kate Binchy, Frank: Shaun Prendergast, Miss Gee: Ann Davies, Stone: Kenneth Cranham, Todd: Jack Klaff, DIDear: Eric Alan, DS Love: Jonathan Tafler, John Maschler: Terence Edmond, Emma/Nurse Lewis: Caroune Strong, Mary J, WPC: Nicola Boyce, Director: Adrian Bean.

1991-08-26 The Shape of Things to Come - Brave New World
By Aldous Huxley. This novel foresaw a world 600 years hence where procreation would be by test tube, and emotions drug-controlled. Dram. Stephen Mulrine. The Savage .......... Gary Cady, Mustapha Mond .......... Jack Klaff, Lenina Crowne .......... Moir Leslie, Bernard Mara .......... Jonathan Tafler, Linda .......... Frances de la Tour, Helmholtz Watson .......... Sean Pertwee, Director of Hatcheries .......... Hugh Dickson, Henry Foster .......... Nigel Carrington, Fanny Crowne .......... Jane Whittenshaw, President of Worship .......... Susan Sheridan, Benito Hoover .......... Andrew Wincott, Headmistress of Eton .......... Petra Markham, Archsongster of Canterbury .......... Timothy Carlton, Primo Mellon .......... Mark Straker, Nurse .......... Joanna Myers, Boy .......... Richard Pearce, Spanish guide .......... Walter Acosta. Music Wilfredo Acosta. Producer Marilyn Imrie.

1991-08-17 The Sea Wolf, 1
By Jack London. Heroism, survival and love on the high seas, dramatised in four parts. Part 1: .. Shipwrecked literary critic Humphrey Van Weyden is rescued by Wolf Larsen , demonic skipper of the seal-hunting schooner Ghost. Wolf Larsen .......... Jack Klaff, Humphrey .......... Kerry Shale, Mugridge .......... Ian Dury, Johnson .......... Jeffrey Gear, Leach .......... Scott Farrell, Charley .......... David Bannerman, Ferry passenger .......... William Roberts, Owen .......... Terence Edmond, Kelly .......... Norman Jones, Louis .......... Nigel Anthony, Svenson .......... Brett Usher, Smoke .......... Anthony Jackson, Harrison .......... Richard Pearce, Latimer .......... Peter Penry-Jones, Homer .......... Clarence Smith, Henderson .......... Andrew Wincott, Music Elizabeth Parker , BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Singer .......... Sarah Connolly. Dramatised by Ed Thomason. Director .......... Adrian Bean.

1991-05-31 The Hunchback of Notre Dame
By Victor Hugo. Classic Serial. 2 .......... Monster and Maiden. Phoebus .......... Christopher Bowen, Pierre Gringoire .......... . Dermot Crowley, Quasimodo .......... Jack Klaff, Esmeraida .......... Emily Morgan, Dom Claude Frollo .......... Nigel Terry, Robert D'Estouteville .......... Richard Tate, Clopin .......... Joe Dunlop, Dame de Gondelaurier .......... Eva Stuart, Jehan Frollo .......... Ian Michie, Robin Poussepain .......... Dominic Rickhards, Florian Barbedienne .......... Norman Bird, Clerk , .......... Ian Targett, Mahiette .......... Joanna MacKie, Oudarde .......... Jo Kendall, Therese .......... Elaine Caxton, Recluse .......... Joan Matheson, Fleur de Lys .......... Zelah Clarke, Berangère .......... Allce Arnold, Amelotte .......... Melinda Walker, Diane .......... Marcia King, Beggar .......... David Goudge. Music by Philip Pickett , Tom Finucane and Stephen Henderson. Dramatised by Catherine L Czerkawska. Director Marilyn Imrie.

1990-11-26 The Slip
By P Carroll and B Wasserman. What else is there for an unemployed sociologist to do on a Saturday afternoon but to go to the pub and have a little flutter on the horses on the way home? Ian doesn't expect the slip to win - or to lose it! Ian: Bill Nighy, Rachel: Jennie Stoller, DC Crandall: Jack Klaff, Dermot: Gary Whelan, Cecil: Chris Tummings, Dougie: Michael Deeks, Val: Zelah Clarke, Chloe: Polly James, Bar manager/Benyon: Simon Cuff, Bert, the boardmarker: Norman Bird, Alan, the barman: Anthony Jackson. Producer: Janet Whitaker.

1990-11-10 The Sit-Crom, 6
By Sue Limb. Final episode of Sue Limb's six-part comedy set during the English Civil War. Ep. title: The Wasps' Nest. The search for enemies leads to love triumphing over fire. Sir John Firebasket: Joss Ackland, Lady Anne Firebasket: Denise Coffey, Tobias Thynne: Clive Merrison, Mercy, alias Melissa: Miriam Margolyes, Father Francis/Old Thomas: Nickolas Grace, King Charles/Slow Ned: Chris Emmett, Gazebo Fogg: Jack Klaff, Posthumous: Nicky Henson, Counter tenor: Peter Haywood, Music: Colin Sell , Producer: Jonathan James-Moore.

1990-10-22 The Importance of Being Frank
By Tom Holland. Ernest Worthing, wit and aesthete, bearing more than a passing resemblance to Oscar Wilde , is prosecuted for indecent acts in the cloakroom of Victoria station ... An account of the final years in the life of one of the great icons of the 19th century as seen through the characters of his most famous play. Ernest: Jack Klaff, Algernon: Alex Jennings, Lady Bracknell: Margaret Robertson, Gwendolen: Jenny Howe, Judge/Piano player: David King, Merriman: Angus Wright, Sir Edward: Nigel Carrington, Lane: Simon Treves, Prism: Denys Hawthorn, Director: Paul Schlesinger.

1987-09-19 A Dry White Season
By Andre Brink, dram. Barry Campbell. From the novel. The hero is an Afrikaaner; not a natural rebel, but when he tries to help a black friend whose son was held in detention after the Soweto riots, he finds himself in a different world.... Ben du Toit .......... Nigel Hawthorne, Stanley Makhaya .......... John Matshikiza, Melanie Brewer .......... Esteue Kohler, Emily Ngubene .......... Peggy Phango, Gordon Ngubene .......... Olu Jacobs, CaptStolZ .......... Steve Hodson, Col Viljoen .......... Bruce Purchase, Levinson/Andre .......... Jack Klaff, Advocate de Villiers .......... Allan Ivan, Advocate Louw/Government Minister . .......... Adrian Egan, Magistrate/father in law .......... Arne Gordon, Susan du Toit .......... Miranda Forbes, Suzette .......... Lois Butlin, Linda .......... Moira Downie, Cloete .......... Edward Cast, Dr Hertzog/SABC Newsreader .......... Brian Carroll, Dr Jansen/Dr Hassiem .......... Alfred Hoffman, Fr Masuwane .......... Louis Mahoney, Tsabalala/Johnson Seroke .......... Wilue Jonah, Grace Nkosi .......... Elizabeth Adare, Producer:... Jane Morgan.

1987-08-28, Delve Special
A series of investigative reports, 1: There's One Born Again Every Minute. David Lander looks at unorthodox religions, and in particular the Sincere Repentist Church led by Joshua Fratt. Studio production by Stephen Fry , assisted by Brenda Blethyn and Phil Nice. Dramatic reconstructions by Jack Klaff, Harry Enfield, Felicity Montagu, Robert Bathurst and Tony Sarchet. Editor .......... Paul Mayhew Archer.

Other episodes: 2: Bitter Harvest -Factory Farming and Pesticides, (with Phil Pope and Julia Hills)

1986-12-19 Delve Special
The last of four investigative reports - City Limits. The money-men may be making a killing, but are they getting away with murder? David Lander looks at the City and in particular the Rouget Dory Venture Capital Syndicate. Studio production by Stephen Fry, assisted by Robert Bathurst, Felicity Monague, and Jack Klaff. Dramatic reconstructions by Mark Arden and Harry Enfield.

Other episodes in the series: 3: Food For Thought , (with Paul Mayhew Archer, researcher Tony Sarchet); 2: Cowboys (with Phil Nice, Dawn French, Stephen Frost); 1: A Rocket For Defence (with Mark Arden; researcher Tony Sarchet. )

1986-05-02 Week Ending
11.30 pm: An irreverently critical look back at the week's news with David Tate , Sally Grace Jon Glover and Jack Klaff. Written by Martin Booth, Paul B Davies, Richard Quick, Stuart Silver, Pete Sinclair, David Cohen, Peter Hickey, Steve Punt, Mike Coleman, Alison Renshaw, John Morrish, Bill Hardwick and others. Producer Jennie Campbell.

Compiled by Nigel Deacon / Diversity website

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