Podcasts by Category

Drama of the Week

Drama of the Week

BBC Radio 4

Every Friday we bring you a new drama from BBC Radio 4 or Radio 3. Exercise your imagination with some of the best writers and actors on radio. Storytelling at its very best.

415 - The Mini-Break
0:00 / 0:00
1x
  • 415 - The Mini-Break

    Esme’s meeting her boyfriend’s parents for the first time. But when she discovers a dark family secret, making a good impression becomes the least of her worries… Chloë Myerson’s modern-day folk-horror story about family and fate, inspired by the writing of Hans Christian Andersen.

    CAST Esme ..... Máiréad Tyers Danny ..... Josh Bryant-Jones Susanna ..... Jane Slavin Tim ..... Nicholas Woodeson The Storyteller .... David Menkin Agneta ..... Kitty O’Sullivan

    Written by Chloë Myerson Directed by Anne Isger Sound by Ali Craig and Andy Garratt

    A BBC Audio Production

    Fri, 22 Mar 2024
  • 414 - This Is For Everyone

    Entertaining drama from award-winning writer Matthew Broughton exploring probably the biggest turning point in recent history: the creation of the World Wide Web, and its impact on one family in the decades that follow.

    In August 1991, the first website goes live. At exactly the same time, a baby is born...

    Julie....Claudie Blakley Vic....Dana Haqjoo Young Lucy...Astrid le Fleming Lucy....Katie Redford Young Ben....Bertie Creswell Ben....Luke Nunn Narrator....Peter Marinker With the voices of Josh Bryant-Jones, Jessica Enemokwu, Laura Power, Maxim Reston.

    Technical producers...Keith Graham, Andy Garratt, Peter Ringrose Production co-ordinator...Jonathan Powell

    Written by Matthew Broughton Directed by Abigail le Fleming

    A BBC Audio Production for BBC Radio 4

    Extract from 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, BBC audio, © International Olympic Committee. Extracts of Sir Tim Berners-Lee from an interview with CNBC, and The Richard Dimbleby Lecture: The World Wide Web - A Mid-Course Correction, BBC

    Fri, 15 Mar 2024
  • 399 - English Rose Series 2 - 1: Go West Young Girl

    By Helen Cross.

    Rose has made a fresh start in the City of Angels and life feels good. But she can't ignore the past, and now it's starting to bite.

    Her ex-boss Maya is loving never getting older and has Rose to thank for that. Maya has big plans for a 'rejuvenation' spa in the California hills, but Rose suspects all is not what it seems. On top of that she's worried that someone, or something, is trying to send her telepathic messages. But are they to warn her, or frighten her?

    Stylish and surprising fantasy horror with a comic twist, starring Alexandra Mardell (Coronation Street) and Demetri Goritsas (Ten Percent). With music by Dana Margolin and Sam Yardley of Mercury-nominated band, Porridge Radio.

    Helen Cross wrote ‘My Summer of Love’ which won a Betty Trask award and was made into a Bafta-winning film with Emily Blunt (recently rated her best film in The Guardian top ten Emily Blunt films). Mary Ward-Lowery won Best Director in 2020 Audio Drama Awards.

    Rose ... Alexandra Mardell Maya ... Miranda Braun Austin ... Demetri Goritsas Siobhan ... Deirdre Mullins Delphine ... Yasemin Özdemir Mam ... Jane Thornton Jack ... Tyler Cameron Gym owner ... Don Gilet Dakota ... Rhiannon Neads Alina ... Kitty O'Sullivan Englishman ... Martin Bonger Angry Man ... Douglas Hodgson Gully ... Bruce Casswell

    Original music written and performed by Dana Margolin and Sam Yardley of Porridge Radio.

    Sound design by Ilse Lademann and Mary Ward-Lowery Assistant Producer ... Alison Crawford Director ... Mary Ward-Lowery

    Fri, 01 Dec 2023
  • 398 - The North Remembers

    By Samantha Harvey. Mum drives through the Dark Hedges, crossing a threshold into a different world. Read by Deirdre Mullins.

    Topical fiction inspired by the story, in this week's news, that some of the beech trees that line the Bregagh Road in Armoy, County Antrim, have been felled amid concern for public safety. The trees, a landmark in their own right, were made more famous after featuring in the fantasy drama Game of Thrones.

    Samantha won the Betty Trask Prize for her first novel The Wilderness, which was longlisted for the Man Booker, and shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Guardian First Book Award. Her work has been described by critics as 'spectacular', 'beautiful' and 'profound', and her latest novel, 'Orbital', an 'awe-inspiring and humbling love letter to Earth', has been selected by The Guardian as one of the most important books of 2023.

    Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery

    Fri, 24 Nov 2023
  • 361 - Gaslight - Episode 1

    Atmospheric drama from BBC Radio 4 with bonus scenes for BBC Sounds, featuring original music by Imelda May.

    Have you ever wondered where the term 'gaslighting' comes from? Find out in episode 1 of this dark reimagining of the classic 1938 stage thriller by Patrick Hamilton. To hear the series in full, just search for Gaslight in BBC Sounds.

    Jonathan Holloway's modern adaptation is set in the present, with a deliciously vintage feel.

    Jack Manningham has used his wife’s recently inherited money to buy a huge period property - a former bell foundry - which they will renovate. They occupy a small habitable part of the ground floor and basement. This previously neglected ramshackle building is lit by gas, as it was in Victorian times.

    In this first episode, Jack and Bella find a house that suits them and there's a lot riding on the screening of their latest film.

    Cast in order of appearance:

    Tippi Griffiths ..... Lacey Turner Jack Manningham ..... James Purefoy Bella Harding ..... Rebecca Night Ishani Rawe / Izzy ..... Macadie Amoroso DCI Nina Rawe ..... Cathy Tyson DI Reynolds / Michael McLennon / Chris De Jeanne ..... Richard Lintern

    Written by Jonathan Holloway, based on the original play by Patrick Hamilton

    Music: Imelda May with Tim Bran

    Produced by Sally Harrison with James Purefoy Directed by Johnny Vegas

    A Woolyback production in association with Darling Pictures, for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

    Wed, 22 Feb 2023
Show More Episodes