David Blount Radio Plays

The Great Smog, by Jerome Vincent (R4, 1415, 13 Dec 02) was set in London in December 1952, when the worst smog in living memory brought the city to a standstill. It is estimated that there were 3,000 extra deaths as a result of it; eleven cattle died at the Smithfield show by breathing in fumes; there were more burglaries, and the buses and tubes ran a very restricted service. Theatre performances and concerts were abandoned, sometimes during the performance, as audience and singers had coughing fits. The Great Smog consisted of three short cameos; a girl turned down by her boyfriend; a pickpocket who robs a blind man, and two burglars who take their victim to hospital when they realise he is choking to death. Shirley Dixon was Alice, Harry Myers was Ben, and Peter Jefferson, his voice a few semitones lower than normal (digital tricks?) was the newsreader; David Blount directed.

Einstein in Cromer (R4 1415 12 May 04) was a pleasant story based on Einstein's stay in Norfolk a few years before World War II. Written by Mark Burgess, it's about his being forced to flee Germany in the wake of Hitler's rise to power. He develops a strong relationship with his hosts, and he learns to look at the world in a different way through the simple honesty of a local man. Einstein was a great communicator, and this comes through. David Suchet played Einstein, Robert Harper was Douglas, and the other cast members were Jean Trend, John Evitts, Trevor Nichols and Trevor Littledale. The director was David Blount.

Teddy and Toad, by Jerome Vincent (R4, 3 Dec 04) told the unlikely story of how Kenneth Grahame's tale, "The Wind in the Willows", was pushed to publication in America by President Roosevelt, where it achieved its initial success. Kenneth Grahame was played by Bill Paterson, and Vincent Marzello was Roosevelt; production was by David Blount.

13 Jan 06: From Father with Love
By Mark Burgess. While convalescing in a Hove hotel, celebrated James Bond author Ian Fleming takes the opportunity to write a book for his son, called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Ian ...... Simon Williams, Ann ...... Lucy Fleming, Michael ...... John Evitts, Zborowski ...... Jonathan Tafler, Bill ...... Trevor Littledale, Janet ...... Alison Pettitt, Paul ...... Jamie Hogarth, Ian (as a boy) ...... Thomas Helm. Director David Blount.

23 Feb 06: Einstein in Cromer
By Mark Burgess. In the summer of 1933, Professor Albert Einstein - arguably the greatest scientist of the 20th century - stepped off the ferry at Dover carrying one bag and a battered violin case. He was to spend a month's 'cheerful exile' in Cromer. Albert Einstein ...... David Suchet, Douglas ...... Robert Harper, Mrs Rose ...... Jean Trend, Commander Locker-Lampson ...... John Evitts, Inspector Hutchinson ...... Trevor Nichols, Father/Harry Herbert ...... Trevor Littledale. Pianist David Angus. Violinist Chris Phipps. Director David Blount.

13 Apr 06: Sam O'Bedlam
By Mark Burgess. On the centenary of Samuel Beckett's birth, this play offers an insight into the great playwright's inspiration for Waiting for Godot, as we find Beckett celebrating his 70th birthday. Samuel Beckett ...... Jim Norton, Geoffrey Thompson ...... Dermot Crowley, Younger Beckett ...... Stephen Hogan, Younger Thompson ...... Andrew Scott, Ursula ...... Alison Pettitt, Michael ......Grant Jones. Director David Blount.

26 Apr 06: Teddy and Toad
By Jerome Vincent. The true story of how President 'Teddy' Roosevelt got The Wind in the Willows published in America - where it achieved initial success. Kenneth Grahame ...... Bill Paterson, 'Teddy' Roosevelt ...... Vincent Marzello, Constance Smedley ...... Clare Corbett, Curtis Brown ...... Jonathan Tafler, Chief ...... John Evitts, Questor ...... Chris Stanton, Malloy ...... David Jarvis, Alistair ...... Alfred Chambers, Quentin ...... Spencer Hodge. Director David Blount.

4 Jul 06: The Small Print A comedy by Jerome Vincent in which an ordinary man fights back against the oppressive small print which dominates our lives. Colin Mellish ...... Kim Wall, The Small Print ...... David Timson, Weadle ...... Geoffrey Whitehead, Clara ...... Clare Corbett, Prof Theocharis ...... John Evitts, Michelle ...... Emma Paterson, Ben Crowe ...... Oz. Director David Blount.

15 Aug: This Cold August Light
By Jerome Vincent. 1816 was known as 'the year without a summer'. Snow fell and crops failed across Europe and North America - but the sunsets were amazing. Jerome Vincent's play explores the effects these extraordinary climactic conditions had on artists and writers working at the time. Edgar Allan Poe ...... Kerry Shale, Young Poe ...... Michael Beveridge, Maunder ...... David Timson, Lily/Edith ...... Alison Pettitt, Laura/Mary Shelley ...... Rachel Atkins, Turner/Mellish ...... Harry Myers, Polidori/Farthing ...... Chris Stanton, Taylor ...... Robin Toller. Director David Blount.


5,Feb,2007,Monday,Radio 4,14:15:00, Talk
Mark Wilson's play; set in 1854. In the Criminal Wing of Bethlehem Hospital for the Insane; painter Richard Dadd and poet Emily Clayton are caught in the middle as two rival doctors seek to reform the treatment of the mentally ill. Emily Clayton ...... Alison Pettitt, Richard Dadd ...... Nigel Anthony, George Haydon ...... Jonathan Tafler, Charles Hood ...... Jonathan Keeble, Ward Sister Grey ...... Joan Walker. Directed by David Blount.


2,Apr,2007,Monday,Radio 4,14:15:00,: Murder by the Book
Murder by the Book By Stephen Sheridan. When a corpse is found in the Crime Section of Langston Library; two elderly librarians decide to emulate Miss Marple and solve the mystery themselves. Dorothy ...... Mary Wimbush, Margaret ...... Doreen Mantle, Mr Pepper ...... John Evitts, Colin ...... Leighton Pugh, Robin ...... Alex Hutchinson, Mrs Shelton ...... Elizabeth Morgan, Insp Cornish ...... Trevor Nichols, Sgt McBride ...... Chris Stanton. Directed by David Blount. br>

7 4 2008 Monday 14:15 The Walrus and the Terrier
By Christopher Ralling. Revered all over the world as a physician; theologian and philosopher; Albert Schweitzer was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in the medical mission he founded in West Africa. But when journalist James Cameron visited him in Gabon in 1953; he was shocked by what he found. James Cameron ...... Jamie Glove,r Albert Schweitzer ...... David Horovitch, Mrs Armitage ...... Sarah Badel, Wolfgang ...... Karl Davies, Kirsten ...... Clare Corbett, Jason ...... Sidney Sloane, Henry ...... Keith Drinkel. Directed by David Blount.


4 7 2008 Friday 14:15 The NHS at 60: Stuffing Their Mouths with Gold
By Jerome Vincent. Following the Labour landslide victory in 1945; new Minister of Health Aneurin Bevan knows he has the chance to bring about a real revolution with the creation of a free health service. But can he get both the Royal College of Physicians and the dissenters in his own party on his side? Jerome Vincent's play marks the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the NHS in July 1948. Aneurin Bevan ...... Robert Pugh, Clement Attlee ...... Richard Attlee, Lord Moran ...... Nicholas Boulton, Herbert Morrison ...... Trevor Littledale, John Buchan ...... David Collings, Daisy ...... Jaimi Barbakoff, Madge ...... Jean Trend, Rene/Harry ...... Simon Treves, Passer-by ...... Lucie Fitchett. Directed by David Blount.


30 4 2009 Thursday BBC Radio 4 14:15 Afternoon Play A King's Speech
By Mark Burgess. It is 1937; the day of the Coronation; and the newly-crowned George VI must broadcast to the nation and the empire - a terrifying prospect for perhaps the most notable Briton to have suffered from a stammer. This play focuses on the close working relationship between the King and his speech therapist. King George VI ...... Alex Jennings, Queen Elizabeth ...... Joan Walker, Lionel Logue ...... Trevor Littledale Myrtle Logue ...... Moya O'Shea Sir John Reith ...... Crawford Logan Robert Wood ...... Chris Stanton Patrick ...... John Evitts, Queen Mary ...... Jean Trend, Princess Elizabeth ...... Emma Yeomans, Princess Margaret ...... Agnes Fouch. Directed by David Blount. Broadcast Thu 30 Apr 2009 14:15 BBC Radio 4


2 12 2009 Wednesday BBC Radio 4 14:15 Afternoon Play A Dangerous Thing
By John Sessions. May 1744: Alexander Pope is on his deathbed in Twickenham; Jonathan Swift is losing his wits in Dublin. The two friends have not seen each other in 17 years; although each is very much on the other's mind. In his final hours; Pope talks to his emotional and intellectual soulmate; Martha 'Pattie' Blount; about his relationship with Swift and the events that have conspired to keep the two friends apart for most of their lives. He also recalls Swift's last visit to London; when an unexpected encounter with a young burglar put the divergent philosophies of the two friends to the test. Jonathan Swift ...... Timothy Spall, Alexander Pope ...... John Sessions, Martha 'Pattie' Blount ...... Amanda Root Boy (Tom)/John Gay ...... Joe Thomas, Amica ...... Tessa Nicholson, Dr Cheselden/Lord Bolingbroke/Waterman ...... Nigel Hastings, Swift's Servant/Dr Arbuthnot/Matthew/ Gentleman ...... John Biggins.

6 Jan 14: Joan and the Baron
By Mark Burgess. An unlikely friendship forms between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Joan Littlewood in Bordeaux while they both mourn the death of loved ones. Eleanor Bron as Joan Littlewood, Michael Jayston as the baron, with Andrew Branch, Rachel Atkins, Jonathan Tafler. Producer David Blount.

27 Apr 16: All Mouth and Trousers
By Mark Burgess. Comedy. Husband and wife team Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps recall their struggle to create the TV show 'All Gas and Gaiters', with Derek Nimmo and Robertson Hare. Pauline: herself, Edwin: himself, young Pauline: Lily-Fleur Bradbury, young Edwin: James Joyce, Frank Muir: John Sessions, Stuart Allen: Nicholas Boulton, William Mervyn: Gareth Williams, Robertson Hare: Trevor Littledale, Derek Nimmo: Zeb Soanes, John Barron: David Collings. Producer: David Blount.

Nigel Deacon / Diversity website

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