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GREAT LIVES - HG WELLS (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 23rd October 2025
Author Fay Weldon proposes the writer and visionary HG Wells
Presented by Humphrey Carpenter.
Expert witness: Biographer, Vincent Brome, who met Wells and many of his mistresses.
Biographical series in which a distinguished guest chooses someone who's inspired their life.
Will their hero stand up to intensive scrutiny and merit the description of having led a great life?
Producer: Miles Warde
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2001.
HG WELLS - MR LEDBETTER'S VACATION (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 5th September 2025
Schoolmaster Mr Ledbetter's dreams of restoring personal courage in the modern age are put to the test.
Short story written by HG Wells, first published in 1898.
Adapted for radio by Lance Sieveking.
Ledbetter .... Robertson Hare
Crabtree .... Richard Williams
Bingham .... Godfrey Kenton
Marrow .... John Gabriel
Abdul .... Manning Wilson
Mr Martin .... Rolf Lefebvre
Producer: Ayton Whitaker
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in April 1955.
ARCHIVE ON 4: THE SHAPE OF THINGS THAT CAME (320kbs-m4a/129mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 19th June 2021
HG Wells' 1933 classic looks back from the year 2106, in a purported history of the years 1929 to 2105, received from the future in dreams. When this programme aired in 2021 - 92 years into the timescale of the book and with 84 more to go - poet and Professor of Radio, Sean Street, explored the text to establish what Wells got right, what he got wrong - and what may turn out to be prophetic.
With the aid of contemporary news bulletins, audio archives – including Orson Welles - and with expert help from Christopher Frayling and Andy Sawyer, Sean navigates through Wells' future past
Readings by Jenny Lane.
Producer: Andy Cartwright
A Soundscape production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in 2017 and revised in 2021.
HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS (320kbs-m4a/371mb/2hrs40mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 2nd to 9th January 2023
Sci-fi novel by HG Wells first published in 1898.
Starring Paul Daneman and Martin Jarvis.
Dramatised in six parts by Jon Manchip White.
Sound score by David Cain, BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Producer: John Powell
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in June/July 1967.
HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 1. THE RED PLANET (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 2nd January 2023
"I was in it from the start, but up till now I've never cared to discuss the horrible affair..."
Scientist John Nicholson recalls the horrifying events in the night sky signalling an invasion of Earth.
John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
Dora Nicholson .... Isabel Rennie
Ogilvy .... Martin Jarvis
Sir James Stent .... Harold Kasket
Sergeant Holroyd .... Alan Dudley
First Boy - LeRoy Lingwood
Second Boy .... Brian Hewlett
HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 2. THE HEAT RAY (320kbs-m4a/61mb/26mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 3rd January 2023
'The first "falling star" arrived - a huge comet which left a vivid green trail blazoned across the sky, a trail which heralded, had we only known it, the disasters ahead.'
Early signs of impending calamity...
John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
Dora Nicholson .... Isabel Rennie
Ogilvy .... Martin Jarvis
Sir James Stent .... Harold Kasket
First Officer .... Christopher Bidmead
Second Officer .... Ronald Herdman
Third Officer .... Ian Thompson
Lieutenant .... Anthony Jackson
HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 3. THE FIGHTING MACHINES (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 4th January 2023
"We thought it was a meteorite at first, but it wasn't... it was a huge metal cylinder-and inside..."
As the aliens take hold on Earth, John Nicholson recalls the devastation he witnessed.
John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
Dora Nicholson .... Isabel Rennie
The Lieutenant .... Anthony Jackson
The Colonel .... Ronald Herdman
The Corporal .... Frank Henderson
The Old Gentleman .... Walter Fitzgerald
Crowd .... Alan Dudley/Carole Boyd/Rolf Lefebvre
HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 4. THE BLACK SMOKE (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 5th January 2023
'I tripped and fell right in the path of the Fighting-Machines, expecting to be crushed out of existence in a hideous instant...'
John Nicholson witnesses the Martians invasion as they creep from their vast space cylinders.
John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
The Parson .... Peter Sallis
HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 5. THE RED WEED (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 6th January 2023
'I stared down at the crumpled body of the parson. I had killed him - and then I heard a sound that terrified me.'
John Nicholson recalls more of the unfolding Martian horror...
John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
Lieutenant .... Anthony Jackson
First Spokesman .... Denys Hawthorne
Second Spokesman .... Anthony Hall
HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 6. THE BACILLUS (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 9th January 2023
'We're going to earth. We're going underground - literally - into the sewers!'
All seems lost with the invaders victorious.
But could the smallest of creatures come to humanity's aid?
John Nicholson concludes the tale of Martian horror.
John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
Dora, his wife .... Isabel Rennie
The Lieutenant .... Anthony Jackson
With:
Beth Boyd
Alan Dudley
.....BUT STILL THEY COME (320kbs-m4a/63mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 9th February 2022
"...But Still They Come' explores the enormous impact and influence of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds, telling the story of the recording of the original album, the various incarnations produced in the 35 years since its release and the 2012 version, re-recorded for a new generation.
This programme explains how and why Jeff Wayne began working on a concept album based on H.G. Wells' science fiction masterpiece and the years of hard work it took to realise his vision.
In the summer of 1978, the UK album charts were dominated by Disco and Punk, with the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack firmly entrenched at number one. It was an audacious move and a huge gamble to release a double concept album based on a Victorian science fiction novel. But the compelling blend of progressive rock, classical music, Richard Burton's narration and the fascinating story struck a chord with music fans all over the world and the album became a massive hit, supported by the singles Forever Autumn and Eve of the War.
Guests contributing recollections of the part they played in Jeff's creation include David Essex who voiced The Artilleryman and Justin Hayward who sang Forever Autumn. The programme also contains never-before-heard studio interaction with Richard Burton, David Essex and Jeff Wayne during the original recording sessions.
In the years since its release The War Of The Worlds has morphed in to live stage shows, computer games and apps. Now Jeff has re-interpreted the record for a 21st century audience with a new recording featuring Liam Neeson and Gary Barlow (who both contribute to this programme), and Joss Stone.
Produced by Des Shaw and Chris O'Shaughnessy
A Ten Alps production
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2012.
HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS (320kbs-m4a/259mb/1hr53mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 25th October & 1st November 2020
Following sightings of strange explosions on the surface of Mars, Martian ships begin to arrive on Earth. But scientific excitement quickly turns to horror - and a merciless invasion begins.
At the time of the novel's writing by HG Wells (first published in 1898), Britain had never been stronger, but a sense of moral queasiness at the methods used in Empire building was growing.
Melissa Murray's dramatisation highlights the questions Wells poses: What if we were the colonised? How would we fare if a vastly superior technological invader attacked us? How would we behave?
This dramatisation also reflects Wells' depiction of late Victorian suburban life and culture, making its domestic heart a poignant and terrifying starting point for an invasion by Martians with their own imperialist agenda, and reflecting the common fear which had emerged in the years approaching the turn of the century - that the apocalypse would come on the last day of 1899.
Director: Marc Beeby.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.
HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 1. PART 1 (320kbs-m4a/129mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 25th October 2020
HG Wells's story of a brutal Martian invasion of Earth.
Robert .... Blake Ritson
Curate .... Carl Prekopp
Telegraph .... David Sturzaker
Vicar .... Finlay Robertson
Farm Woman .... Georgie Glen
Constable .... John Bowler
Ogilvy .... John Dougall
Dora .... Maeve Bluebell Wells
Doctor .... David Sterne
Carswell .... Nick Murchie
Billy .... Samuel James
Margaret .... Sanchia McCormack
Woman 1 .... Sarah Ridgeway
HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 2. PART 2 (320kbs-m4a/129mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st November 2020
As the Martians continue their merciless invasion, transforming the landscape and decimating the population, Robert begins to lose his reason.
Robert .... Blake Ritson
Curate .... Carl Prekopp
Man 2 .... David Sturzaker
Mrs. Hatton .... Georgie Glen
Man 1 .... John Dougall
Doctor .... David Sterne
Bridgenorth .... Nick Murchie
Billy .... Samuel James
Margaret .... Sanchia McCormack
Lydia .... Sarah Ridgeway
HG WELLS - THE ISLAND OF DR MOREAU (320kbs-m4a/201mb/1hr27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 6th April 2019
A shipwreck leads a young naturalist to Dr Moreau’s secretive island, the site of a hideous scientific experiment.
First published in 1896, HG Wells' classic adventure story dramatised by David Calcutt.
Kenneth Colley … Montgomery
Neal Foster … Prentice's Nephew
Garard Green … Dr Moreau
Peter Meakin … Captain Jones
Richard Mitchley … Helmar
Terry Molloy … M'Ling
Danny Schiller … Constans
Kim Wall … Prentice
Janet Dale … Nurse
Alex Jones … Various
Director: Nigel Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1990.