M.R.James
The ghostly tales of M.R.James have frequently been adapted for radio. Below I've listed some BBC broadcasts along with other programmes where his work has been discussed, imitated or parodied. Some of the dramatisations below are by Sheila Hodgson; see her page for more information.
BBC BROADCASTS
A WARNING TO THE FURIOUS....2008
Creepy fictional story linked to M.R.James. See 2008 plays page.
M.R.JAMES - "OPEN BOOK" ....2005
25 Dec 05. 25m programme devoted to MRJ's ghost stories in this book review/discussion series. Richard Holmes, Julie Myerson and Tobias Hill discussed MRJ with Kate Mosse. R4; extended repeat R4, 29 Dec.
THE HOUSE AT WORLD'S END....2003
16 Oct 03, 45-minute play, written by Stephen Sheridan, featuring M.R. James as a central character. Directed by David Blount. Starring John Rowe as M.R. James and Jonathan Keeble as "Young James". R4.
GREAT LIVES: M.R.James ....2002
Programme in a biographical discussion series presented by Humphrey Carpenter, with guest MRJ enthusiasts, Muriel Gray and Christopher Frayling, and short readings from several stories, etc. R4.
M.R.JAMES & OTHERS....2000
18 Aug 2000. An abridged reading by John Sessions of Richard Holmes' essay on MRJ from his book Sidetracks (2000), originally published as "Of Ghosts and King's" in The Times, Nov 23, 1974. R4.
THE RED ROOM....2000
Series of nine classic ghost stories by various authors, dramatised by Robin Brooks and directed by Clive Brill in the Woman's Hour drama slot, December 18-29 (Radio 4), including:
20 Dec: Casting the Runes.
Starring Sean Baker as Dunning and Charlie Simpson as the Host.
22 Dec: Count Magnus.
Starring Charlie Simpson as Wraxall.
READINGS....1997-98
"The Late Book: Ghost Stories". Series of readings, abridged and produced by Paul Kent. Narrated by Benjamin Whitrow. (Radio 4; repeated BBC7 Digital, Dec 2003-Jan 2004, and Sept-Oct 2004)
29 Dec: Canon Alberic's Scrapbook.
30 Dec: Lost Hearts.
31 Dec: A School Story.
1 Jan: The Haunted Dolls' House.
2 Jan: Rats.
THE FELLOW TRAVELLERS#
20 Feb 94. Starring Aiden Grennell as M.R. James. Telefis Eireann, Ireland.
THE BOAT HOOK....1992
15 Apr 92. With Michael Williams as M.R.James.
THE LODESTONE....1989
19 Apr 89. Inspired by 'Abbeys'.
THE TEETH OF ABBOT THOMAS....1987
MRJ parody by Stephen Sheridan, 25 Dec 87. Alfred Marks, Jonathan Adams.
RATS....1986
9 Jun 86. Reading by James Aubrey.
THE DEMON CAKESTAND OF BEESTLY CHASE....1984
22 Dec 84. Wonderful MRJ parody by 'Edgar Ian Brown' and 'M.R. James Hendrie'; a forerunner of the "Tales from the Mausoleum Club". Starring Stephen Fry, Ballard Berkeley, Sheila Steafel.
ECHOES FROM THE ABBEY....1984
21 Nov 84, R4. Inspired by MRJ's 'Abbeys' and including the Cracker plot. By Sheila Hodgson.
THE HAUNTED DOLL'S HOUSE....c1981-82
Reading by David Ashford, in 'Morning Story' slot. Radio 4.
RATS....c1981-82
Reading by Richard Hurndal: Another "Morning Story".
THE HEX....1981
2 Jan 81, based on "Casting the Runes", R4. Play, written by Gregory Evans. Starring Conrad Phillips, Peter Copley, Edward Atienza.
OH, WHISTLE..... 1980
Reading by Robert Trotter.
THE GHOSTS OF M.R.JAMES ....1977
27 Dec 77, R4. Talk by Michell Raper on MRJ, featuring readings by Gerald Cross, Norman Shelley and Kenneth Fortescue from "Wailing Well", "Lost Hearts", "Oh, Whistle", "Rats".
Here am I, Where are You?....1977
29 Dec 77. A"Mr Humphreys" type plot.
The Backward Glance....1977
22 Sep 77. Based on the Mask plot.
TURN,TURN, TURN....1977
Mar 77, based on the Fenstanton Witch plot, a.k.a. "The Turning Point".
WHISPER IN THE EAR....1976
Oct 76, based on MRJ's Marcilly-le-Hayer plot idea, a.k.a. "The Villa Martine".
LOST HEARTS....1970
23 Dec 70. Reading by Bernard Cribbins.
THE TRACTATE MIDDOTH....c1970-71
Reading.
"Oh, Whistle, And I'll Come To You"....1963
By M.R. James. Home Service, Christmas Eve, 1963 from 1130-1200 hrs. Cast:
Mrs. Spenlow.......................Hilda Kriseman
Professor Parkins.................Michael Hordern
Brown..................................Earle Grey
Purdom................................James Thomason
Rogers.................................Rolf Lefebvre
Colonel Wilson.....................Austin Trevor
Chambermaid.......................Sheila Grant
Waiter.................................Anthony Hall
Special effects by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop; adaptation by Michael & Mollie Hardwick;produced by Charles Lefeaux.
It was made available by BBC Transcription Services as part of a series called "Mysterious Circumstances" - 26 half-hour plays in all. Some were originally broadcast on the domestic network, others not.
An earlier version was b'cast on The Light Programme on Monday 7 February, 1949. This was play no. 2 of a series of 9 under the overall title of "The Man In Black", all arranged for radio by John Keir Cross and all introduced by Valentine Dyall. The cast list was :-
Professor Parkins..............................George Owen
An antiquarian...................................Malcolm Hayes
Colonel Wilson..................................Charles Lefeaux
A maid..............................................Denise Bryer
Produced by Martyn C. Webster and David H. Godfrey. ......R.B.
MARTIN'S CLOSE....1963
24 Aug 63, Home Service. Play, starring Donald Wolfit.
A MASS OF COBWEBS....1959
28 Apr 28 ("The Tractate Middoth"). Play, adapted by Brian Batchelor, Light Programme.
A NEIGHBOUR'S LANDMARK....c1957-58
Reading by Valentine Dyall.
OH WHISTLE AND I'LL COME TO YOU.... c1956
Children's Hour.
CASTING THE RUNES and THE UNCOMMON PRAYER BOOK....c.1951(?)
Dramatisations, Home Service. Both mentioned in documents in the BBC archives, but no broadcast date given.
MARTIN'S CLOSE....1940
4 Apr 40 - abridged reading by John Gloag. Home Service.
MADAM, WILL YOU WALK?....1938
'Martin's Close'. 12 Mar 38. 40-minute play, adapted by C. Whitaker-Wilson, produced by John Cheatle. With A. Bromley-Davenport, C. Whitaker-Wilson, Franklyn Bellamy, Spencer Trevor, G.F. Campbell Browne, Gladys Young. Home Service.
compiled by Nigel Deacon, from information supplied by Roger Bickerton, Austin Day, Rosemary Pardoe. About 8 of the above missings are missing; mainly the early ones.
Please note that a lot of the above information came from Rosemary's "Ghosts & Scholars"website . The information is used by permission, but the copyright resides with G & S, and anyone wishing to reproduce any of it should first visit the G & S site and read the copyright notice.
