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JOHN WYNDHAM - THE CHRYSALIDS (320kbs-m4a/260mb/1hr53mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 30th November & 7th December 2024
Genetic mutation has devastated the world.
John Wyndham's post-apocalyptic sci-fi classic.
Written in 1955, it explores the dangers inherent in discrimination and the threats posed by religious fundamentalism.
The 'Old People' who caused the apocalypse are depressingly like us: 'They were shut off by different languages and different beliefs. They created vast problems then buried their heads in the sands of idle faith.'
The children of the future (the Chrysalids) are able to 'think-together' and so can rise above the selfish violence and conflicting religions of the past.
Wyndham's story of a group of persecuted teenagers is more timely than ever in our post-Fukushima, war-riven, genetically engineered and religiously divided world.
Dramatised in two parts by Jane Rogers.
Director: Nadia Molinari
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2012.
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE CHRYSALIDS - 1. GENETIC MUTATION (320kbs-m4a/130mb/56mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 30th November 2024
In the emergent bleak, primitive society, any deviation is seen as the work of the devil, ruthlessly hunted out and destroyed.
In law abiding, God-respecting Waknuk anyone who does not conform to the 'norm' must keep their deviation secret or face the consequences of discovery.
David ...... Matthew Beard
Young David ...... Ben Hanley
Young Sophie ...... Isobel Doran
Joseph ...... Conrad Nelson
Gordon ...... Conrad Nelson
Axel ...... Jeff Hordley
Emily ...... Fiona Clarke
Anne ...... Fiona Clarke
Rosalind ...... Verity-May Henry
Harriet ...... Emma Cunniffe
Rachel ...... Emma Cunniffe
Michael ...... Henry Devas
Alan ...... Henry Devas
Inspector ...... Robert Pickavance
Petra ...... Sydney Wade
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE CHRYSALIDS - 2. MUTANTS (320kbs-m4a/130mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 7th December 2024
David Strorm is one of a group of young people who can communicate by transferring thought-shapes.
In God fearing, law abiding Waknuk, David and his friends would be classed as Mutants.
Will David be forced to flee to the Fringes, the lawless territory inhabited by mutants or risk discovery?
David ...... Matthew Beard
Rosalind ...... Verity-May Henry
Petra ...... Sydney Wade
Michael ...... Henry Devas
Fringe dweller ...... Henry Devas
Sophie ...... Carla Henry
Sally ...... Carla Henry
Rachel ...... Emma Cunniffe
Zealander ...... Emma Cunniffe
Gordon ...... Conrad Nelson
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (320kbs-m4a/240mb/1hr44mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 5th & 12th October 2024
John Wyndham's classic post-apocalyptic novel, first published in 1951.
Dramatised in two parts by Lance Dann.
Original music composed and performed by Simon Russell.
Director: Rosalynd Ward
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 2001.
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 1. CAN'T YOU SEE? I'M BLIND... (320kbs-m4a/109mb/47mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 5th October 2024
The world is struck blind by a solar storm.
Millions of man-eating, walking plants are released to roam across Britain.
Bill Masen .... Jamie Glover
Josella Playton .... Tracy-Ann Oberman
Colonel Jacques .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Walter Lucknor .... Gavin Muir
Coker .... Lee Ingleby
Miss Durrant .... Richenda Carey
The Nurse .... Helen Ayres
The Blindman .... Jonathan Forbes
Young Bill .... Oliver Cookson
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 2. THE SEARCH FOR A HAVEN (320kbs-m4a/131mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 12th October 2024
As the Triffids destroy Britain, Bill works with his father to clone a genetic mutation to try and sterilise them all.
Bill goes in search of Josella to seek a haven where they can rebuild their shattered lives.
But the Triffids aren't the only threat to their survival....
Bill Masen .... Jamie Glover
Josella Playton .... Tracy-Ann Oberman
Coker .... Lee Ingleby
Colonel Jacques .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Miss Durrant .... Richenda Carey
The Blind Girl .... Helen Ayres
Susan .... Lucy Trickett
Yellow Team Leader .... Jonathan Forbes
Bill's Guard .... Gavin Muir
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS (320kbs-m4a/261mb/1hr54mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 28th October & 4th November 2023
John Wyndham's sci-fi masterpiece, first published in 1957, is the tale of an English village where the women are simultaneously impregnated by parasitic aliens.
Starring Bill Nighy and Sarah Parish.
Dramatised by Dan Rebellato.
Director: Polly Thomas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November/December 2003.
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS - 1. THE VILLAGE (320kbs-m4a/130mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 28th October 2023
John Wyndham's sci-fi masterpiece, first published in 1957, is the tale of an English village where a mysterious alien force takes its toll on the woman.
Richard .... Bill Nighy
Janet .... Sarah Parish
Zellaby .... Clive Merrison
Alan .... Nicholas R Bailey
Ferelleyn .... Katherine Tozer
Dr Willers .... Mark Chatterton
Mrs Willers .... Barbara Marten
Reverend Leebody .... Malcolm Raeburn
Miss Lamb .... Christine Brennan
Miss Ogle .... Rebecca Bridle
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS - 2. THE CHILDREN (320kbs-m4a/131mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 4th November 2023
It's four years since 'The Day Out' in Midwich. The children now exert an eerie hold on the village.
Richard .... Bill Nighy
Janet .... Sarah Parish
Zellaby .... Clive Merrison
Alan .... Nicholas R Bailey
Ferelleyn .... Katherine Tozer
Chief Superintendent John Westcot .... Seamus O'Neill
David Pawle .... Lloyd Peters
Miss Lamb .... Christine Brennan
Reverend Leebody .... Malcolm Raeburn
Miss Ogle .... Rebecca Bridle
William .... Casey O'Brien
Angela .... Mariella Brown
Girl .... Rosie Fleeshman
Boy .... Mat Belshaw
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS (320kbs-m4a/193mb/1hr24mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 29th September to 13th October 2019
The classic 1957 sci-fi novel by John Wyndam (1903-1969) adapted in three-parts by William Ingram.
Music specially composed by Roger Limb of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Director: Gordon House.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1982.
THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS - 1. EPISODE 1 (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 29th September 2019
The mystery deepens when all the residents of the rural village of Midwich suddenly fall into a state of unconsciousness...
Colonel Bernard Westcott .... Charles Kay
Richard Gayford .... William Gaunt
Gordon Zellaby .... Manning Wilson
Angela Zellaby .... Pauline Yates
Janet Gayford .... Rosalind Adams
Ferrelyn Zellaby .... Jenny Quayle
Alan Hughes .... Gordon Dulieu
Doctor Willers .... Hugh Dickson
Vicar Leebody .... William Ingram
Colonel Latcher .... Garard Green
Captain Beamish .... Martin Bansley
Group Captain Harding .... Peter Tuddenham
Chief Constable .... Ronald Baddiley
Pilot .... Alex Jennings
PC .... David Peart
Base Controller .... Edward Cast
THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS - 2. EPISODE 2 (320kbs-m4a/65mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 6th October 2019
There are moral and security issues when all the women of child-bearing age in the village of Midwich simultaneously become pregnant by an alien force.
Bernard Westcott .... Charles Kay
Gordon Zellaby .... Manning Wilson
Angela Zellaby .... Pauline Yates
Richard Gayford .... William Gaunt
Janet Gayford/Secretary .... Rosalind Adams
Ferrelyn Zellaby .... Jenny Quayle
Alan Hughes .... Gordon Dulieu
Vicar Leebody .... William Ingram
Doctor Willers .... Hugh Dickson
THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS - 3. EPISODE 3 (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 13th October 2019
The mysterious powers of the alien children start to become destructive...
Bernard Westcott .... Charles Kay
Gordon Zellaby .... Manning Wilson
Angela Zellaby .... Pauline Yates
Richard Gayford .... William Gaunt
Chief Constable .... Ronald Baddiley
Coroner .... Nigel Graham
Doctor Torrance .... Peter Tuddenham
Mrs Williams .... Katherine Parr
Girl .... Rosalind Adams
Boy .... Jill Lidstone
Man .... Simon Hewitt
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (320kbs-m4a/373mb/2hrs42mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st to 8th July 2019
John Wyndham's classic post-apocalyptic tale of murderous plants following a devastating meteor shower.
First published in 1951, John Wyndham's classic sci-fi novel dramatised in six parts by Giles Cooper.
This compelling tale has been made into a film, two television series and three radio versions.
Music composed by David Cain.
Producer: John Powell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June/July 1968.
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 1. THE END BEGINS (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st July 2019
It all begins with the end - the end of the world - almost.
It happens during a night of brilliant green flashes - meteors? Perhaps - or satellite weapons. Who can say?
Survivor, Bill Masen recalls how the world was plunged into darkness with the dawning monstrous horror of ambulant plant life...
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
Freda Dowie … Elspeth
Barbara Shelley … Josella
Garard Green … Umberto Palanguez
Ralph Truman … Managing Director
Michael Deacon … Young Bill
Peter Pratt … Mr. Masen
Peter Baldwin … Walter Lucknor
Jan Edwards … Nurse
Rolf Lefebvre … House Surgeon
Haydn Jones … Publican
John Pullen … Radio Commentator
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 2. A LIGHT IN THE NIGHT (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 2nd July 2019
'London was a city of the blind, the capital of a blind country in a blind world.'
Bill Masen finds a new companion, but can they survive the chaos of their surroundings?
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley … Josella Playton
John Wyse … Blind Man
John Pullen … Radio Commentator
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 3. CONFERENCE AND CONFUSION (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 3rd July 2019
'There's a light... someone's trying to get the sighted people together - we're not alone!'
Bill and Josella join an army-led group, but their plans for a new community falter...
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley … Josella Playton
Anthony Viccars … Colonel Jaques
Peter Sallis … Coker
Freda Dowie … Elspeth
Victor Lucas … Doctor Varless
Michael McClain … Michael Beadley
Nigel Graham … Ivan Simpson
Marjorie Westbury … Miss Barr
Michael Deacon … Mac
Jan Edwards … Lucy
James McManus … Alf
Hilda Kriseman … Child
Anthony Jackson … Other
Pauline Letts … Other
Christopher Bidmead … Other
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 4. DEAD END (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 4th July 2019
'How am I supposed to find supplies like this - chained to a lot of blind men?'
Bill is forced to help a group of blind survivors. Will he ever find Josella, again?
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
James McManus … Alf
Michael Deacon … Mac
Jan Edwards … Lucy
Peter Sallis … Coker
Hilda Kriseman … Miss Durrant
John Pullen … Stephen Brennell
Wilfred Carter … Sid
Rosalind Shanks … Vera
Ann Murray … Woman
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 5. WORLD NARROWING (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 5th July 2019
'The utter loneliness was beginning to get on my nerves.'
Killer plants are on the rampage across the countryside. Bill sets-off in search of Josella but finds a new companion...
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley … Josella Playton
Jill Cary … Susan
Freda Dowie … Mary
David Brierley … Dennis
Margaret Robertson … Joyce
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 6. STRATEGIC WITHDRAWL (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 8th July 2019
Bill and Josella are offered hope, but yet another obstacle is put in their way...
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley … Josella Playton
Freda Dowie … Elspeth
Haydn Jones … Torrance
Nigel Graham … Ivan
David Brierley … Dennis
Margaret Robertson … Joyce
Jill Cary … Susan
Alexander John … First man
Leonard Fenton … Second Man
JOHN WYNDHAM - CHOCKY (320kbs-m4a/132mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 9th March 2019
12-year-old Matthew Gore sparks concern for his parents when he appears to develop an intelligent, persistent imaginary friend whom he calls Chocky.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that, far from being imaginary, Chocky is a very real alien intelligence. But then Matthew comes to the attention of sinister government forces...
First published in Amazing Stories magazine in 1963, John Wyndham's developed his story as a full sci-fi novel five years later.
Stars Judy Bennett as Matthew, Eric Thompson as David, Sheila Grant as Mary, Peter Baldwin as Alan, Michael Spice as Landis, Rolf Lefebvre as Sir William Thorbe, Lockwood West as Dr Frost, John Baddeley as Dennis Chattery and a cameo appearance from Jack De Manio.
Adapted and directed by John Tydeman.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1968.