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Unidentified Radio Plays
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A second page of unidentified plays ...I am often contacted by listeners of radio plays who ask me to identify something they heard
years ago from a description (which they supply) of the plot, and ask whether a recording
is available.
The story told of an eponymous 18th century individual who had been framed in a really Dreyfusian manner, by a vindictive male jealous of the love interest. Eventually, after numerous trials and sadistic turns, he was transported to Australia on one of the notorious prison ships where he suffered yet more physical torment. On arrival he was to find that the Governor or whoever administered the territory was somehow connected to the original injustice and embarked on more torture and unthinkable acts. This rang a faint bell with me, but it was Austin who again came to the rescue... this is "His Natural Life" by Marcus Clarke, dramatised in three parts by Joe Dunlop; R4; 8, 15 & 22 Oct 2000. "The epic story of a man falsely accused of murder and sentenced to be transported to Van Diemen 's land."
.... (not me this time; it was Austin! - ND )
Outbreak of Fear: Episode 1: The Body on the Beach First broadcast: Sun 29th Aug 1982, 19:02 on BBC Radio 4 FM A thriller serial in five parts by R.D. Wingfield with Leslie Sands as Sergeant Fowler Until Beaumont came to Polford, fresh from Police Training College, he had never seen a dead body. But in this sleepy fishing village in the West Country he was about to complete his education... ....Many thanks .... now I can sleep again!
Anyone any ideas? I think it was probably 1990-ish.
First broadcast: Thu 22nd May 1997, 10:00 on BBC Radio 4 FM By Graham Greene , dramatised in five parts by Rene Basilico. Starring Dame Hilda Bracket as Aunt Augusta and Charles Kay as Henry Pulling. 1: In a London crematorium, a meeting transforms the life of a retired suburban bank manager. Music Jim Parker. Producer John Fawcett Wilson. (....answered by Don Craig; thanks Don)
The drama is based on a real-life tragedy which took place in Winkleigh, Devon in the 1970s. Three members of a farming family (two brothers and a sister) were discovered around the grounds of their home having died from shotgun wounds. They had lived and worked on that land their whole lives, none of them having married or had children. With the spectre of old age approaching, and beset with worry and uncertainty over the sale of their farm, it seems the pressure became unbearable for them. I'm not sure if the drama focuses on the siblings themselves, or the investigation and aftermath of the incident. I never heard the broadcast myself, I have only heard vague recollections of it from other people. The event took place in 1975, and the earliest reference I've seen to the drama is in an article written in 1987, so the window for the plays' broadcast can be no wider than this. I suspect the broadcast date to be sometime between 1980-1985. As a side note, this drama is not to be confused with a book about the incident named 'Earth to Earth', which was read and broadcast in 15 minute installments on Radio 4 in 1987.
It is common for a real-life event to trigger a dramatic response - it doesn't matter that it is significantly different from what actually happened. It still airs the issues and offers solutions. I can't trace any play or drama-doc with the outline you mention, so I think this may be what has occurred. ....Dear ND - Many thanks for your prompt reply. I think you've hit the nail on the head! ....O.B. ......................................................... |
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