So was the challenge presented by Lance Axt in his contest “You Have Five Minutes.” What follows is a thirty-minute show of dazzling diversity, showcasing what unique things can happen in short-form sound!

Get it while you can, as we’re posting it for only two weeks and then it will only be available as a pay-per-download from the Spoken Network.

Also! Don’t forget to pitch in to help Radio Drama Revival. Please donate 5 bucks to WMPG and voice your support for this podcast. Just click the Paypal link below:

Download audio file (rdr-podcast165.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 165

Meet three adult children as they return to their childhood home for the last time. Memories bubble up to the surface, and once all of them have been acknowledged, their relationship will be changed. Forever.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast164.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 164

Hear about the background of the film, what it was like making it, and of course, some delicious tidbits about the golden age of radio!

Do check out James Kicklighter’s site for more information about Theater of the Mind and his projects, and recall our conversation with him a few months ago about turning memories of radio into film!

Check out their Alice in Wonderland audio special page for:

• A free download of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland read by Michael York (courtesy of Blackstone Audio)
• Recorded conversations with narrators Michael York and Jim Dale and audio producer Gabrielle de Cuir
• Editors’ reviews of recommended Alice audiobooks and links to additional online resources for fans.
• Three different readings (Michael York, Jim Dale, and Christopher Plummer) of the Mad Tea Party passage together for a side-by-side comparison.

Fantastique!  It could be interesting to hear what a dramatized version of Alice would sound like, but Michael York does a tremendous job of voicing the different colorful characters of Carroll’s adventure.

Here’s the link again: http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/event/0310_landingpage.html

Don’t be late!  The free audiobook is only available until March 16.

Our featured artist is Never Paid Radio, a group out of Prescott, Arizona that first introduces us to a painting of a train depot near the Grand Canyon… A place where a man had an extraordinary experience and lost someone, seemingly forever.

That’s “The Depot,” followed by “Can’t You See the Possibilities,” a story of invisibility and its potential – and downfall!

Finally, we round out this mega-episode with a moving portrait of World War I by the Wireless Theatre Company called Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast163.mp3)

Radio Drama Revival – Episode 163

Today we feature this very exciting, on-location recorded audio drama. Yes, the snow you hear is snow!

Download audio file (rdr-podcast162.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 162

My own audio drama group, FinalRune Productions, was featured in the Wall Street Journal on February 25, 2010.

The article, entitled “Return With Us to the Thrilling Days Of Yesteryear—Via the Internet,” heavily focused on FinalRune’s signature field recording style and director Fred Greenhalgh’s passion for reviving audio drama in an age of the iPod.

I’ll let the article speak for itself, and wait, there’s more… great video!!!

The show, Audio Cinema Review, really focuses on the news and reviews side of the audio theater world, and in the latest episode I contribute a review of Tesla Vs. The United States, alongside a review of the Icebox Radio Theater streaming radio service (which is totally rad, thanks Jeff).

Head over to the Audio Cinema Review site or listen here:

Download audio file (acr_ep2.mp3)

Like in a terrible dream, Geologist Elias Ullstrom must run for his life lest he be caught by forces that want nothing but his demise. Of course, he did poke his nose where it didn’t belong.

So is this story by promising new producer Birke Duncan, The Riders of the Three Toed Horse.

Our stories of ghosts and shades takes us to a land of mystery and folklore, where not all is quite as it seems.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast161.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 161

NoirDame.com is pleased to present the world premiere of Tesla vs. The United States, released online on Thursday, January 7, 2010 — the anniversary of the passing of brilliant and eccentric inventor, Nikola Tesla.

Tesla is the central figure in this radio drama – and a central figure in the development of radio – famed for his innovations and inventions, including a legendary, rumored “death ray”. The drama takes place in 1943, shortly after Tesla’s death, and provides a fascinating, historical mix of business intrigue, time travel and suspense. Who really invented radio? What ghostly figure influenced Tesla in his last days? And why did the FBI take away so many of Tesla’s papers?

“Tesla vs. The United States” was written by playwright Charles Moster, whose plays have been carried over National Public Radio (NPR) and public radio affiliates nationwide, and features the talented cast and crew of Deus Ex Machina, an Austin, Texas-based drama troupe.

You can listen to the whole piece on Noir Dame’s blog, or, provided this code works… Just below:

All audio content copyright 2010 by Charles Moster and Deus Ex Machina. Video produced by NoirDame.com. Visual of Supreme Court courtesy of

It's an exciting, interesting story that tells about radio using the medium itself! Thanks, Deus Ex, and give us more!

At the Etheric Explorers Club, the gentlemen members are confronted with impossible things, and when it can’t all be chocked up to magnetism, their investigation discovers their building’s “Resident Member.”

Enjoy this colonial-esque, curious and comedic tale was written by Paul Marlowe, published in Something Wicked magazine, and produced by Joe Vaz as a Something Wicked podcast.

Followed by an interview with producer Joe Vaz, who talks about how he went from an actor, to a publisher, to a producer, as well as the nature of audio drama in South Africa!

Download audio file (rdr-podcast160.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 160

DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI by Joe Wells

Directed by Fran Kirkham

Edited by Paul Winston Churchill

A touching glimpse into the experiences of the soldiers of the first world war. This series of letters from the front powerfully evokes the horrors and emotions of the men who fought and died on the battlefield, focusing on Wilfred Owen’s eternal question, is dying for your country an honour or a curse?

With: Matt Kirby, Mostyn James, Dhugal Fulton, Joe Wells, James Everett, Fred Godward, Julian Boote, Collette Zacca and Justin Palmer.

DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI download for free here!

Wait! That’s not all….

COCK OF THE WALK Part 2 by 31 Pumpkins

Edited by Tony Stephens

The long awaited part two of 31 Pumpkin’s Cock Of The Walk! Very funny stuff.  If you like this download, then you’ll  simply love seeing them doing it IN THE FLESH – they have a live show at The Hen and Chickens – Feb 9^th – Feb 13^th.

More details HERE.
COCK OF THE WALK Part 2 download for free here!

Exciting Things To Come…

WTC’s next LIVE show will take place on the 16^th APRIL, at a very exciting new venue.

The LOST Theatre is a brand new, multi-fangled, 180 seater theatre and we will be recording Sci-Fi comedy 2010: Space Commander! By Stuart Price.  It’s an incredible space and will be a great recording. Come along and see for yourself.

Welcome to The Wireless Theatre Company’s vision of the future.  In the year 2062 the human race,     ravaged by population expansion and lack of resources, decided to phase out the human body.

In 2268 the last non-virtual human being died in Ulan Bator of Dysentery.

In 2269 two space engineers, curious at what the extinct human body used to look like, decide to un-freeze Walt Disney. With hilarious consequences.

Tickets available very soon!

• Things are progressing nicely with Wireless Theatre Kids – we expect the site to be up and running very soon, we have some wonderful writers on board. So keep your ears peeled, and let all you parent friends know we’re coming.

• WTC were thrilled to have a lovely article featuring us in this week’s STAGE newspaper.  We’re on page 26, but you can read the article HERE.
• We have two VERY exciting new productions coming up in the next few months, with special performances from two wonderful actors. We can’t quite believe our luck!

HAPPY LISTENING!

www.wirelesstheatrecompany.co.uk

We’ve featured the Wireless Theatre Company many times on the show, and are psyched to hear what they have for us next.  Check out our archives or visit their site at www.wirelesstheatrecompany.co.uk for more audio goodness!

Today’s tale is the pilot of a BRILLIANT series called Sinister Properties. From the windy city comes this excellently produced, tautly written, well acted twist on the kind of suspense tales you’ve heard before.

Artemus Drake is a broker for distressed properties, with a boss he’s never met who never is known to sell the houses he purchases. On this occasion, Artemus meets a man who bought a beautiful condo for a song – only to learn that he has a roommate who’s no longer of this world.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast159.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 159

P.S. If you like this episode, please send praises to the show! I would LOVE to hear more installments!

There are also some great production photos on the website.

The videos give you a bit of flavor of what the show was like – the gear and guys and gals that make a great live radio show, plus sound innovative uses of plungers:

See the whole video series:

• Behind the Scenes
• Cast and Crew Interviews
• Live Sound Effects Demo
• Musician Interview with Barb Truex

There are also some photos of the show on Flickr, and, of course, we featured this live show on the podcast and you can listen to our Halloween 2009 live radio drama in the archives.

Yuri Rasovsky’s The Maltese Falcon was nominated for a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album, an enormous accomplishment for an audio drama.

And jeez, if you haven’t listened to The Maltese Falcon yet, do! I raved about it in a review I did a few months ago because it deserved it, and much more. It’s one of the best audio mysteries you’ll hear.

While the actual award went to Michael J. Fox’s, Always Looking Up, let’s congratulate Yuri again for bringing audio drama to a major awards night.

Our compatriot across the sea, Roger Gregg, has been nominted for his country’s Irish Times Theatre Award for Best Sound Design for his work in Barrabbas Theatre’s Johnny Patterson: The Singing Irish Clown.

While this doesn’t honor his radio drama work directly, his sound design is, of course, a direct byproduct of his excellent work in audio drama and the nomination is a huge honor.

Not being from Ireland, I asked Roger what these awards were about. He simply put, “in Ireland these are THE Awards. The only ones that matter when it comes to professional theatre.”

Congratulations again Roger and Yuri, it’s a great day for audio drama when two of our own get the recognition they deserve!

And do they deliver! With more than a dozen podcasts covering werewolves, vampires, zombies, aliens, and much more, head over to their website to sate your taste for darkness.

Today’s double feature comes from their series of short original sci-fi, Dark Matter.

We hear the story of a society that refuses to accept an alternative view of mankind in “The Specimen,” then of a crew who has traveled outer space, only to learn that the greatest dangers they face are human alone, in “Heroes.”

Download audio file (rdr-podcast158.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 158

I was behind-the-scenes on this show and got an opportunity to speak with GNAT’s Brian Price, Jerry Stearns, and Kris Markman – you can listen to that interview on episode 130.

So, for the show itself, we don’t hear anything about Haiti, terrorists, or swing votes in the senate.  Instead, we answer the pressing age-old question: What DID the orc get on his SATs?

Download audio file (rdr-podcast157.mp3)

Radio Drama Revival – Episode 157

Are you looking to start your own podcast?  Want to be a bigger part of the audio drama community?  Then I hope these tips help out a little bit.

1. Reach out to the community
   
   When I started this show, I had no idea where all of the content would come from.

   The very first thing I did is send out a blast to the Radio Drama Listserv looking for content and WOW did they respond.  I have never actively seek new content since (though, of course, I still do).Huge kudos to Craig Wichman and Jay Stern who let me air their work without having any idea what I would be doing with this show.

   Quicksilver Radio Theater has gone on to be one of our most appreciated, and frequent, guests, and having them on the show brings me to the next point…

2. Interview a Lot of People

   As I said, Craig Wichman and Jay Stern were happy to be interviewed way back in the early days – also special thanks to Scott Hickey and Brian Price who got involved early on.Interviewing all these storytellers, producers, writers, and directors has taught me a lot.

   I’ve learned who people are and where they’re coming from.  What starts people down the mad course of becoming a radio dramatist – the challenges they’ve faced, the fun they’ve had, and the things they’ve learned and would do differently next time.

   Not only has this been great content to share with all of you, but it’s taught me a lot in my own life as a dramatist.

   I picked up field recording early on, avoided some missteps, learned the rigors of live recording, and have gotten the jist of how you make a production happen and what good audio sounds like.

   So, for everyone who’s ever been so generous to spend some time to talk to me, THANK YOU.

3. Do a Halloween Feature

   Bob Arnold has started calling October “Audio Drama Month” and I’m in agreeance.As a lark, for the first year of RDR I produced a month-long series of spooky stories and saw traffic to this podcast blow up.  The audience continued to grow at a steady basis until 2008, when I for the second time did a whole month of horror programming – kaplam!

   Another big spike in traffic.

   And this year, when I was running myself ragged with lack of sleep putting together my own live radio drama for Halloween, traffic spiked again, higher than ever, for Halloween 2009.

   October is huge in audio drama.  Milk it.

4. Share the Love

   What makes the audio drama community so great is that it is full of pretention and egos.Unlike, well, some other performing and produced arts, audio dramatists are laid back, geeky people who you can have a beer with and talk shop.  You’ll especially notice this if you have the opportunity to go to the National Audio Theater Festivals.

   So, I make an effort to give back all the gifts of time people have given me by linking out to their shows, promoting stuff they’ve got going on, and connecting them with other people who might be able to help them out, or dig their work.  It’s what numerous other people have done for me, and the least I can do is pay it forward.

   And so far, it seems to be working.  Radio Drama Revival continues to grow.

5. Pay Attention to Google

   In case you were ever wondering why this show is called “Radio Drama Revival,” not “audio drama revival,” it’s because of Google (well, RDR is also a little more catchy).Though we dramatists tend to call our work “audio drama” or “audio theater,” people who are looking for it for the first time tend to call it “radio drama.”  And so, I pelt it out, week after week – radio drama, radio drama, radio drama…

   I am a search marketer by trade, so I have a bit of an unfair advantage, but plenty of people can do what I’ve done without knowing all the other junk I know.

   Get set up on Wordpress, install a few SEO plugins, and name your posts things that actually mention “radio drama” or maybe the genre of the show you’re featuring.

   It’s not rocket science.  And hell, if producers want me to give an introductory course on SEO for audio producers, let me know!

   Also, things like making sure your mp3 files have ID3 tags, are named consistently, have artwork that comes up right in iTunes, etc… are all really subtle, but make your podcast look more professional and polished.  RDR is produced for essentially $0 but that doesn’t mean I have an excuse not to look pro.

And so concludes our week of self-reflection…

I probably won’t do this again until we hit the big five-er   But, things continue to grow in audio drama, and believe me, you’ll see some pretty exciting news on this blog soon.

So, as always and ever, keep your mind and your ears open and let’s be in touch.

This was a really hard one to put together, because I’ve done a ton. In fact, here’s a link to all interviews on Radio Drama Revival.

Here are some of what I consider the very best:

1. Roger Gregg @ Crazy Dog HQ in Ireland (Episode 117)

   I’ve had the huge pleasure of speaking with Roger Gregg on several occasions, but none more interesting than in his den of iniquity in Dublin, Ireland.

   Roger speaks of the promise and challenge of audio programming, and how innovative use of art is the way to keeping audio relevant in the YouTube age.

2. Tom Lopez on ZBS Film Noir (Episode 127)

   This past summer I was looking for people to talk about the National Audio Theater Festivals (NATF) and it made sense to talk to Tom Lopez again, arguably one of audio’s most influential and creative producers.

   This interview was fun because we got to talking about short-form audio drama and experimenting with a visual component.  Like Roger’s interview, we got a veteran’s view of audio in our society and ideas on how audio can keep its place in an environment of media glut.

3. Sue Zizza and Pat Fenton (Episode 84)

   In what I think is my only interview with both producer and writer, Sue and Pat talked about the work that went into the audio dramatization of Jack’s Last Call, including a lot of fun anecdotes about Jack Kerouac’s life and some gems about audio production.

4. Scott Hickey and Brian Price Talk about the Slasher (Episode 81)

   Ihad the occasion to sit in behind-the-scenes in the recording of “The Slasher,” an – ahem – killer work by The Grist Mill and a great opportunity to see seasoned vet Brian Price do what he does best.  This interview brought in producer and director to talk about their ambitious approach to audio – producing stories by published authors – and getting together an incredible cast and a professional recording space for their show.

5. Erik Bauersfeld and Jim McKee Talk About Radio Drama in the Bay Area (Episode 134)

   In case interviewing Tom Lopez wasn’t good enough, I got to talk to his mentor, Erik Bauersfeld, who’s been inspired by radio drama since he first heard the Witches’ Tale back in the 1930s.

   In this interview we touch on everything from his early days at KPFA doing Black Mass to his pioneering productions in field recorded audio drama.  By the way, Erik won the prestigious audio luminary award from Third Coast Audio Festival this year!

Did I miss something?  Disagree?  Leave your thoughts in the comments.

It’s impossible to feature everything that’s good, particularly because there are episodes in so many different genres, from a heavy dose of horror to holiday tales, classic retellings to contemporary drama, sci-fi, fantasy, and even a little bit of romance.

However, sometimes you just gotta pick your favorite babies.  Here are some episodes I think you should listen to again:

1. Dialogue with Martian Trombone (Episode 13) – What can I say?  I’m a lover of jazz music and this absurd martian tale showcases the endless wit of Great Northern Audio Theater.  Having David Ossman and Philip Proctor from the Firesign Theatre certainly doesn’t hurt, either.
2. Buried in Falling Sand (Episode 16) – While Dreamseeed has not produced much else, this gem of a sci-fi bears deserves a listen.This inspired, eerie tale does what science-fiction does best: use a society not so unlike our own to tell us truths we’d rather not know.  What WOULD happen if we had a drug that made us forget the work day?
3. God of the Razor (Episode 94) - The Grist Mill has produced many fine tales, but God of the Razor may be the best.Moody, atmospheric, and unremittingly dark, Joe Lansdale’s God of the Razor tells of the dark that lurks in the basements of East Texas… and in the hearts of men.
4. The Salmon of Blackpool (Episode 52, Episode 53, Episode 54, and Episode 55) – Okay, here’s a cheat, because it’s a series of four episodes, not just one, but it is worth it.Crazy Dog Audio Theatre’s “Salmon of Blackpool” is simply one of the most compelling produced and moving pieces of audio drama I’ve ever heard.  The only thing I’ve listened to that deserves the name “audio cinema.”  Give a listen and tell me you don’t agree.
5. Hayward Sanitarium (Episode 126) – And let’s not miss this entry from the catalogue of audio suspense.While we only featured one episode of it, “Hayward” is a masterfully written and produced tale of the goings-on at one strange home for the mentally in coastal Maine.  The precedent for shows like Wormwood and Shadow Falls, even if they don’t know it!
6. Medusa on the Beach (Episode 138) – Okay, well this is #6, but I couldn’t help myself.  I’m addicted to myth and Wireless Theatre Company’s “Medusa on the Beach” retells the myth of medusa beautifully.  Cheeky, moving, and dark, I’m delighted from the first few minutes.

Did I forget one of your favorites?  Want to share what you thought about a great audio artist?  Leave something in the comments below.

Tomorrow, we talk about the greatest interviews with audio artists over the past three years.

My goal from the beginning: expose more people to the medium of radio drama and give me an opportunity to share my own work with others.

Suddenly it’s 3 years later, and Radio Drama Revival has gone a lot of places I never expected and given me the opportunity to do a lot of cool stuff.

I’ve talked to lots of really awesome people, legends like Tom Lopez (two times), Roger Gregg (two times on the phone, and once in person), Tony Palermo, and Erik Bauersfeld, authors Mort Castle and Joe Lansdale, and all sorts of great independent dramatists, such as Brian Price and Jerry Stearns, Marc Rose and Geral McQuinn, Doug Bost, the guys behind Wormwood… the list goes on.

So, in light of all this, and a little sentimental, this week on Radio Drama Revival I’ll put posting some “top 5″ features – “best of,” if you will, from my heavily biased and nostalgic perspective.

We’ll start today.

5 Most Interesting Web Stats

It’s the digital age, and as a podcaster I have a LOT of data to try and comprehend. Here are some of the more interesting giblets:

1. Radio Drama Revival has approximately 400 regular weekly listeners via RSS (as reported by Feedburner).  RDR has had over 300 subscribers since the end of October, 2008.
2. Each episode gets 500-1000 (!) downloads right away, and stuff deep in the archives (episodes 100 and lower) still gets downloaded!Pretty much every archived episode gets at least one download a week.
3. The single most popular day on Radio Drama Revival, ever, was October 31, 2009, with about 500 people landing on the website.Overall, the October horror stories effort has been a huge success which is why I keep doing it. I’ll talk more about that in a follow-up post.
4. God bless Google.Nearly half of all traffic to this website comes from Google alone, particularly because of the good rankings I get for “radio drama” and “radio drama podcast”There seems to be some name recognition, though, because a decent amount of traffic comes from the word “Radio drama revival” and 20% of visitors actually return using a bookmark or typing in the domain by hand.
5. It’s not a surprise that the biggest audience for RDR is the US (about 66%), but outside of the US, the show is quite a global force! 155 countries tune in to the show, with every inhabited continent representing (sadly, no listeners from Greenland). The top 10? U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Phillipines, India, and France. Radio drama is an international phenomenon!

Tomorrow, we’ll be going through the archives to find the Top 5 Episodes You Should Listen to Again.

And if it seems like I’m missing anything, do leave a note in the comments!

We feature the tale “I Saw Myself Running,” a retelling of the OTR tale that originally aired on Escape! Starring Jessie Gurd and Derek Long, directed by Stefan Claypool.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast156.mp3)

Download Radio Drama Revival – Episode 156

The tale is the classic “Three Skeleton Key,” recorded many times, no doubt, but never before (we suspect) in a genuine Maine lighthouse.

The tale?  Three lighthouse keepers find themselves the prisoners of their charge once an ill-fated derelict vessel runs aground, unleashing a plague of devilish rats.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast155.mp3)

Radio Drama Revival – Episode 155

Not so for Chatterbox Audio Theater, who bring us a profoundly moving story of people reflecting on the simple challenges of life. The story, Dead and Gone, is based on James Joyce’s story of The Dead – but the setting, rather than Ireland, is the American South.

I gushed about this inspired retelling in a review a few months ago – now, enjoy the audio.

Ah, but first! A special treat – the Drabblecast audio fiction podcast reveals to us how close Santa Claus came to the edge – and who really saved Christmas.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast154.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 154

Last week we found a precious gem lodged in the gullet of a Christmas goose, which led Sherlock and Watson on a quest to find its owner – the goose that is, not the gem. The goose’s owner was happy with any cooked goose, making the detective duos realize they would need to hit the streets to learn the origin of this mystery foul…

Listen to the conclusion of this fun adventure, plus a bonus, the “Painful Predicament of Sherlock Holmes.”

Enjoy!

Download audio file (rdr-podcast153.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 153

P.S. – A reminder that Audiofile Magazine and Naxos Audiobooks are still offering three free Sherlock Holmes audiobooks until December 29… So go load up your new iPod with great tales of the detective!

A fat goose, a random mugging, and a precious gem. How do all three relate, and who committed this most unusual crime?

Enjoy!

Download audio file (rdr-podcast152.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 152

P.S. – If you enjoy tales of the great detective, Audiofile Magazine and Naxos Audiobooks have a wonderful Christmas gift for you: three free Sherlock Holmes audiobooks.

You can also see behind-the-scenes YouTube videos and hear interviews with Holmes narrators. A holiday treasure! Hopefully AudioFile continues offering these great treats throughout the new year.

But, it’s not easy to sneak a fire-breathing dragon by the toy soldier guards, and how to get past the horde of drunk debaucherous elves who stand between our hero and Santa?

Download audio file (rdr-podcast151.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 151

Aiding him in this quest is a chain-smoking unicorn and a clutzy fire-breathing animatronic dragon. Good stuff.

This is The Theater of the Midnight Sun and the tale, “Goodbye Cruel World.”

Hat trick goes to listener Martin who originally turned me on to the ‘pod and to The Sonic Society who recently featured this same show.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast150.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 150

A tough southern belle dectective investigates a series of mysterious murders with her partner. But the motives of the killer and tastes of the good guys is all stranger than you’d expect in this twist on vampire mythology.

Enjoy, “The Big Dark”

Download audio file (rdr-podcast149.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 149

It’s “We’re Alive,” AKA the Zombie Podcast.

In this tight, action-packed serial, a group of Iraq vets become the inadvertant protectors of a motley group of civilians in downtown LA during a zombie outbreak. Human drama and action ensues.

Good stuff, hope you enjoy.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast148.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 148

So, the story? A couple moves from the city to a remote mansion in Ireland, where every spooky story cliche is abused in this hilariously ghoulish half hour. From the Crazy Dog Live collection.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast147.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 147

This Halloween, FinalRune Productions had a live radio drama… Details forthcoming, but here’s the audio!!!

Download audio file (halloween-show-2009.mp3)
Halloween Show 2009

Stories Include:

• The Ghost Behind the Black Door by Roger Gregg
  A couple from the city moves to a mansion in the countryside only to find that things are not all as they expect… a spoof on the classic horror meme.
• Leaving You is Hell by Fred Greenhalgh
  A dark retelling of the myth of Orpheus inspired by the classic jazz tune “St James Infirmary.” A man in New Orleans is doomed to keep falling in love with the same woman and seducing her to her death.
• Bone Lake by Mark LaFlamme
  The ice fishing’s going well on Bone Lake, until a man comes from the winter’s night looking for a very strange catch.
• Third Shift by Kevin Anderson
  A company will sell you very efficient workers at a bargain price. Just don’t send the living to check out their work.

The Talented Cast

Burke Brimmer and Christine Marshall from Mad Horse Theater Company, FinalRune regular Philip Hobby, Janice Gardner, Tom Power.

Live Sound Effects and Music

Live sound effects by Paul Drinan and “Goober,” computer FX by Michael Townsend, live music performed by Barb Truex.

What is PowerUp?

WMPG’s PowerUP! Campaign seeks to raise $250,000 to upgrade the signal strength of the station’s main transmitter and move it to a better location.

If you doubt this, go tune into last year’s Halloween special when we heard his tale The Estates, or maybe the anti-Christmas story Up on the Rooftops, or even the not so friendly Family Radio.

So it’s with great pleasure that today we feature a rather, ah, “chilling” tale of his from his program Listening in the Dark. The tale is “The Thing on the Ice,” a story about a man trapped against the elements, who’s going to have a hard enough time surviving the blizzard before a horrible thing that should not walk the earth shows up.

An excellent story and perfect capstone for our month of fiendish audio, and a BIG PLUG for my live radio drama show that’s coming Sat, Oct 31, 7-9PM EDT right here on Radio Drama Revival. Killer stuff!

Download audio file (rdr-podcast146.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 146

Alright, here it is, folks – three days before Halloween and the height of scary story season. My inbox has been bombarded with new stuff all this month which I’ve been dying to get out there to you, and there is just so much happening that if I had my way, I would clone off five or six of myselves to check out all of the cool Halloween events.

That not being possible, you’ll find me in Portland, Maine putting on a two-hour Halloween radio drama with 5 original plays. Yikes. But no matter where you are in country (or the world, for that matter), if you want blood-curdling audio, there’s stuff out there for you.

After putting out my feelers the audio community, digging around on my own, and just collecting all of the awesome stuff people like you have been sending my way, I’m going to share what I’ve come up with for awesome haunting horror audio.

Starting, first, with the LIVE Halloween shows – these are events where you can show, participate, and be spooked in an audience with real people! Follow-up post coming soon with recorded programming

Live Halloween Radio Shows

Portland, Maine – 7-9PM EDT on Sat, Oct 31

What is It? – My own show. I’ve talked about that already. Five plays by writers Roger Gregg, Mark LaFlamme, Kevin Anderson and yours truly.

How Do I Hear It? – Show up!!! Or, barring that, audio stream at wmpg.org and video stream at finalrune.com

Memphis, Tenneessee – 7-9PM CST on Sat, Oct 31

What is it? For the second year in a row, Chatterbox will perform a live Halloween Show over the airwaves on 91.1 WKNO-FM Memphis / 90.1 WKNP-FM Jackson.

Just to outdo me, Chatterbox is doing SEVEN short tales of horror, suspense, and the macabre. Expect to encounter the undead, creative murderers, tentacled monsters, hungry demons, unseen beasts, and other horrors that will keep you awake well into the night. A talented team of actors, musicians, sound effects artists, and producers will create these stories while you listen — just like in the Golden Age of radio.

How Do I Hear It? 91.1 WKNO-FM Memphis / 90.1 WKNP-FM Jackson. If you don’t live in the Memphis area, you can listen live through the WKNO website.

Boston, Massachusetts – 8PM on Oct 29, 30, 31, and 2PM on Oct 31

What is it? The Post-Meridian Radio Players bring us “The Big Broadcast of October 30th, 1938″ – the latest iteration of their annual Halloween tribute to the Golden Age of Radio. This year they present two plays – “The Frank Cyrano Byfar Hour” and a special production of Orson Welles’ infamous “War of the Worlds” radio play, adapted to follow events in Boston during the ”Martian invasion.”

PMRP does amazing stuff, as you can grok from my raving of their New Year’s radio show.

How Do I Hear It? Check out Somerville Theater, next to the Davis Square T Station. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Further information about the show, ticket reservations, and PMRP in general may be found on their website at http://www.pmrp.org

Portland, Oregon – 4PM and 6PM PST on Oct 31

What is it? Over in our sister city of Portland, Oregon, the Willamette Radio Workshop presents their 7th annual Halloween audio theater extravaganza at McMenamins Kennedy School. This year’s presentation is an original compilation of stories based on “The St. James Infirmary Blues,” featuring live music and foley, and streaming in real time on the internet. “Tales from St. James Infirmary” is a cross between ER, The X Files and EC Comics, featuring stories of zombies, lost loves, murder and revenge – in other words the perfect Halloween confection. You’ll never be unsatisfied with your HMO again.

There will be two programs with eleven stories split between the two. There were even MORE stories (including my own) that filled up their full roster… my but they do a lot of shows!

How Do I Hear It? All shows are free and open to everyone (who has the guts, that is). Streaming Mix for Radio 23. Listen in at http://radio23.org/#listen

New York City – 3PM EDT on Oct 31

What is it? It’s thrilling to hear from groups you’ve never encountered before, and when I put my call to action from the community I found out about a Frankenstein Halloween Special by the appropriately named “RadioTheatre” presented by Horse Trade Theater Group (separated at birth from Mad Horse Theater Company? The world will never know).

These guys look like they’ve been around for a while and have gotten some high accolades. Here’s what they say about their show:

The critically-acclaimed, award-winning RADIOTHEATRE pulls out all the stops for this one, folks…a grand, aural spectacular! From the company that brought you KING KONG, THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, THE TIME MACHINE, DRACULA and more…now comes FRANKENSTEIN!

In concert, LIVE, on stage…with a great cast of story tellers, an original symphonic score and a plethora of sound effects! Just bring your imagination!

Good to see the city that never sleeps is in the game. Go out and get spooked!

Topeka, Kansas – 8PM CST on Oct 31

What Is It? The WTCT Players are scheduled to perform Oct 30 at Topeka’s Oldfather Theatre. Admission $6. No clue what they’re doing but they usually perform three vintage half hour plays. Last year, they did one each from Suspense, Inner Sanctum and The Witch’s Tale.

Let the theatre be your radio and take you on a trip back to a simpler time. The WTCT Players perform in the newly renovated Oldfather Theatre, complete with improved air conditioning, wheelchair access, and comfortably padded seats!

How Do I Hear It? I think you have to show up, no details if a stream or podcast version will be available.

4. In Washington, The Midnight Mystery Players announced they’d be doing a version of “The Bride of Frankenstein” on Oct 31 but there have been no further details on their website:

Bellingham, Washington – Sat, Oct 31

What Is It? The Midnight Mystery Players announced they’d be doing a version of “The Bride of Frankenstein” on Oct 31 but there have been no further details on their website.

How Do I Hear It? Few details of the show published. Try contacting them!

Cayman Island – 8PM EDT (?) on Sat, Oct 31

What is it?This is fun. The Cayman Drama Society will stage three Agatha Christie radio plays on Halloween. Um, that’s about it for info, though.

How Do I Hear It? There’s no too much detail, but check out Radio Cayman’s website, also, look there for a live stream link.

Norman, Oklahoma – 7PM CST on Fri, Oct 30

What Is It? Three episodes of “Suspense” (“Zero Hour,” “The Hitchhiker” and “The House in Cypress Canyon”) performed by Second Stage Players in Norman, OK on October 30. Formed in 2005, Second Stage Players perform various types of readers’ theatre, including live radio scripts, one-act plays and interpretive readings.

How Do I Hear It? Tickets for the performance are available at PAS’s home in the Depot during regular business hours, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. All senior tickets are $7; admission for children age 12 and under is $3.

Unclear if there will be a podcast, contact the PAS at 307-9320 or see this article for more details.

Miscellania

And there are always plenty of “War of the Worlds” recreations scheduled for this time of year. Here are two:

• War of the Worlds in Athens, Alabama
• War of the Worlds in Kingston, New York

Not Quite Halloween Live Radio Shows

These are not quite on Halloween, but are spooky, so why not enjoy?

Minneapolis, Minnesota – 9:30-10:30 CST on Nov 1

Sound Affects aired an Icebox Radio Halloween Special this past Sunday night, which is available on the station archives at: http://www.kfai.org/soundaffectsaradioplayground/ for two weeks after air date.

On November 1 Sound Affects will air “The Evil At Shady Lake”, a comic suspense tale made here at KFAI by the Deadbeats on the Air players. Written by Britt Aamodt. Appropriate for the day After Halloween.

How Do I Hear It? Tune into the live stream, or available in the KFAI archives after the broadcast.

Glen Allen, Virginia – 7:30PM EDT on Nov 3 and 4

What Is It? The On the Air Radio Players are doing something called “Fright Night Double Feature: Dracula and Frankenstein,” an original old time radio show! The hour-long event will be taped and offered later for podcast and features live music and sound effects.

Offered by the County of Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks.

How Do I Hear It? Looks like you can show up in Virginia, or look for a podcast down the line. Their website: http://www.otarp.com/upcoming_shows.htm

Georgetown, Delaware – 2PM EDT on Nov 1

What Is It? The Possum Point Players’ Ad Hoc Touring Company are scheduled to perform Nov 1 at Possum Hall. For $5, you get vintage versions of “The Maltese Falcon” and the Jack the Ripper thriller, “The Lodger” according to this article in the Sussex Countian.

How Do I Hear It? Unclear if the event will be podcast. You could try calling the box office: 302-856-4560.

Thanks, People

Thanks be to emruf7 over on the Audio Drama Talk board for contributing a number of stories to this release… and of course, all of the individual artists who sent me stuff. Keep it up!

I ALWAYS have trouble finding enough time to feature all of the delightfully terrible audio tales that are out there for Halloween in the regular ‘pod, here are a few which deserve your ears:

	1 – We’re Alive: A Story of Survival Zombies!!! Take Resident Evil and mix it with the marines from Aliens and you wind up with something like the outcome of this zombie podcast. A group of foul-mouthed marines ends up locked up in an apartment building with a scattered batch of survivors after a zombie holocaust breaks loose with little notice (or explanation). This one is well-produced, action-packed, and is as much about an odd group of people trying to survive together as it is about the roving droves of hungry undead. Not to be missed.
	2 – Wormwood Wormwood made it into my previous Five Free Favourites and it makes it again. Though not strictly “horror,” this brilliantly twisted thriller serial has ample spooks to make it a priority on any horror fan’s iPod. If you haven’t been following, you have two full seasons to catch up on, tons of bonus content, and a third season coming up which is sure to send you to an early grave.
	3 – The Grist Mill Okay, the Grist Mill isn’t free but two episodes of their work are available for free download on Radio Drama Revival, so that sort of counts. The one you should under no circumstances miss is God of the Razor. AM/FM Theater rightfully won the Ogle Award for this fine adaptation of Joe Lansdale’s classic horror short. There’s a reason you should stay out of basements in the South… Also, Jeff Adams’ The Estates is an extremely awesome innovation to the spooky story meme – Stepford Wives meets The Shining. Thank you, Jeff.
	4 – The Buoy (Part 1 and Part 2) The Cape Cod Radio Mystery Theater has been at it for a while, and “The Buoy” is perhaps the crowning gem of their productions. This is a good classic New England ghost story, which packs an even stronger punch because of its eerie parallels to the classic Poe tale, “The Pit and the Pendulum.” A man “from away” winds up tied to a buoy as the tide comes in, and recounts his terrifying tale. As the water gets higher, and no escape is in site, the real terror sets in…
	5 – Halloween in July The Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine aired this back in March, but it is much better fitting for Halloween. Breaking the trend from the rest on the list, this is not strictly audio drama, but hosts Rish Outfield and Big Anklevich did a splendid job bringing the text to live. Writer Kevin Anderson also has a script in the mix for my upcoming Halloween Live Radio Drama.

BONUS! ZBS Comes out With Sticks… For Fricken’ Free!

Remember Chris Dueker’s review of Karl Edward Wagner’s Sticks? It’s a gore-ious take on a short story delivered to you with the eerie splendor of binaural sound. That means it is perfect for your iPod or other mp3 player of choice.


Download audio file (Sticks-Halloween.mp3)
Karl Edward Wagner’s Sticks by ZBS
Enjoy!!!

You know it, you love it.  A bedridden neurotic woman dials a number and is accidentally connected to a call between two men who are plotting a murder. She becomes increasingly frantic as no one takes her fright seriously and time begins to run out.

Prepare to be spooked all over again!

Download audio file (rdr-podcast145.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 145

With itchy impatient hands I finally got my anxiously awaited package from Sweetwater – the Zoom Q3 video recorder…

Yes, this is the one that has bitchin’ sound and video in a really portable and easy to use format.

For an audio drama guy, it seemed a no-brainer; I live and die by my Zoom H2 but have often thought it would be fun to be able to capture a little bit of video, too… everything from behind-the-scenes footage of FinalRune shows to how-tos on various pieces of recording equipment.

I’ve yet to get my teeth into the product but thought I’d share some initial thoughts upon looking at the product, especially compared to the Zoom H2 since I use the H2 extensively.  I kind of thought the Q3 was going to be H2 + video but it isn’t, exactly.

A few observations:

• Sound quality seems to be about the same.  The H2 has a lot more options.  The Q3 has a way bigger screen and is more friendly.
• Video (to me) seems just dandy.  Obviously I have a strong bias to good audio.  The picture is as good as I’m going to need it and I’m really excited about the possibilities once I start putting this thing to work.
• The Q3 SD card door is flimsy and will eventually break off.  They clearly did not design it for people who are going to be hot-swapping SD cards in the field.  Um, hello?

The Zoom Q3 doesn’t come with a tripod, but the one from the Zoom H2 works like a charm
• Accessories for the Q3 are really basic.  I was kind of hoping for more from a $250 device.  You get a wind screen, some RCA cables, and a 2GB SD card.  No AC adapter, no tripod, no handhold (I haven’t tested handling noise but it’s terrible on the H2).  As you can see, the mic stands from the H2 work fine with the Q3.
• A really disappointing oversight is that you can’t use the Q3 as an audio or video interface.  What the heck, Samson?  One of the most powerful features of the Zoom H2 is that you can use it as a field recorder OR audio interface depending on your need.  I was really hoping to be able to use the Q3 for talking on Skype, but now it seems I will need to jerry-rig something using the RCA cables.  I hope they are able to add this feature on with a firmware update.  Just foolish

Overall I’m really excited about the recorder and, as I said, can’t wait to put it to work.  I wish it was about $50 cheaper and that I could use it for Skype, but having the capability to capture video and decent sound in such an easy format is priority #1 for me.

I’ll be taking this out to the first rehearsal of FinalRune’s upcoming Halloween live radio drama and getting you some footage to look at soon.

Note: Getting one of these right now might be tough, it took forever for them to come out and it looks like they’re already back-ordered.  However, I still highly recommend Sweetwater, they’ll get it to you fast and treat you right.

Trick or treat?  No, treat!

Today’s bonus episode is from Quicksilver Radio Theater, a tremendously great group based out of New York City who have brought us such gems as Good Friday, 1865, Lincoln’s Last Day, The Speckled Band, Julius Caesar, and, of course, this one: a true-to-the-text version of Frankenstein.

Yes, it’s the classic tale of a creature that turns against its creator after the creator realizes the horror of playing god.  Forget the movies, and give you ears a treat!

Download audio file (rdr-bonus-quicksilver-frankenstein.mp3)

Radio Drama Revival – Bonus Episode: Quicksilver’s Frankenstein

Credits:

Directed by JAY STERN (Independent Feature, “THE CHANGELING”), and faithfully adapted by Producer CRAIG WICHMAN from Mary Shelley’s novel, this drama explores the story’s themes of responsibility and obsession – perhaps even more relevant in our day than in the author’s.

JOSEPH FRANCHINI is Victor Frankenstein and MR. WICHMAN (“TWILIGHT ZONE” radio dramas) is his Monster, with (in alphabetical order), CLYDE BALDO, JODI BOTELHO, ROBERT HESS, VITO LaBELLA, SUSAN MUIR, and JOHN PRAVE.

Sound by DAVID NOLAN, with effects by MR. BALDO. Music is by TONY AWARD-Winner MARK HOLLMANN.

Today we have two new tales that are new to the podcast world.  ”The Nephews” is a new adaptation of a story by Rick Hautala, telling about a group of sea salts in coastal Maine who get mighty curious about the fate of a man from away who goes to investigate a derelict light house.

In “Hollywood Ending,” we welcome The Vaultkeeper, a sinister and ghoulish narrator for a tale of love that doesn’t go as plan… This is ghoulishly good, listen on!

Download audio file (rdr-podcast144.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 144

Credits, “The Nephews”

Adapted and Produced by William Dufris at Mind’s Eye Productions
Based on short story The Nephews by Rick Hautala

CAST

• Dave Marshall
• Thomas Power
• Jennywren Sanders
• JP Guimont
• William Dufris

Credits, “Hollywood Ending” from TALES FROM THE CRYPT

CAST

• Dan Bernard
• Kymberly Dakin
• William Dufris
• Christopher Price

In a remote, aging manorhouse in England, Edgar, the disaffected manor-keeper takes out his frustrations on the sickly owner of the mansion.  But blood shed is hard to take back, and soon Edgar is forced to take more and more drastic measures to hid his evil deeds, and finds the escalating madness impossible to escape.

A gore-iously great tribute to Edgar Allan Poe that both lampoons and celebrates gothic fiction.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast143.mp3)

Written By: Stuart Price
Starring: Knight Mantell, David Beck, Jessica Dennis, Leonie Hill, Josh Cass and Andrew Glenn. Foley by Jack Bowman, Dean Elliott and Reuben Anderson.
Edited By: Scott Wiber
Directed By: Stuart Price
Music By: Michael Bruce

Our October scary story month starts off with a stylish and slick (with blood) tribute to Italian Ghiallo thrillers by 19 Nocturne Boulevard.

A woman troubled with mental problems moves into an apartment with several hot girls, who she starts to see brutally murdered in dreams, all of which she confesses to a psychiatrist who is a tad too excited about it all.   Lewd scenes, ultraviolence, and a few good “WTF” moments.

Happy birthday, 19 Nocturne Boulevard!  We featured them a year’ish ago with their brutal Making Book, and now they’ve won the Mark Time Award and regularly producing some of the best speculative audio drama around.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast142.mp3)

Radio Drama Revival – Episode 142

It’s Halloween all October on Radio Drama Revival! The third annual scary stories month has tales from both coasts of America and far abroad, culminating in a spooktacular live Halloween radio drama that will be aired live from the University of Southern Maine in Portland, Maine.

The month comes quick and fast… Don’t miss any of the gore-ious audio treats.

October 1 – “When Yellow Casts a Crimson Shadow” by 19 Nocturne Boulevard
What starts as a bizarre and troubling dream soon leads to a high body count in this homage to Giallo thrillers. Leather-gloved killers, bad dubbing, and hot chicks in danger.

October 8 – “The Grim of Stoddesden Hall” by The Wireless Theater Company
The body count adds up fast in this haunting and hilarious tribute to Edgar Allan Poe.   In a remote and crumbling gothic mansion in the country, the slighted caretaker takes out his misgivings with a very sharp shovel.  Sadly, the police are not so sharp.

October 15 – Nightmares on Congress Street by Bill Dufris
Well known and acclaimed audiobook narrator Bill Dufris is also a hell of an audio producer and a fan of the macabre.  His already has two excellent collections out there – Nightmares 4 and 5, and we’ll be hearing two stories rarely heard before: “The Nephews,” by Rick Hautala, and a haunting Tale from the Crypt.

October 22 – “Sorry, Wrong Number” by FinalRune Productions
FinalRune Productions and The Mad Horse Theater Company team up for their second collaboration tale, a production of the radio classic by Lucille Fletcher. A woman overhears two men plotting a murder over the telephone, and very quickly her whole world starts to unravel.

October 29 – “Listening in the Dark” by the Icebox Radio Theater
Three tales from Northern Minnesota to chill you to the bone. A writer’s notes from a haunted house turn against. A man gets haunted in his fishing shack. Santa Claus may not be who you thought he was.  Jeff Adams shows off his incredible skill in the darker arts in this haunting hour-long special.

Halloween Night – Live radio drama special! 7-9PM EST in Portland, Maine
FinalRune Productions puts on an evening of audio horror with stories near and far afield – tales of haunted houses, undead lovers, ghosts on a Maine lake, and, oh yeah, zombies! A benefit for WMPG, and yes, you can stream it!!! - see the FinalRune website for more details.

The play today is “The Most Dangerous Game,” by Richard Connell, which was broadcast originally on Escape! and Suspense. A huge tip of the hat goes to SFFAudio, which first turned me onto this tale through their coverage of The Most Dangerous meme.

Coming up next week – Spooky Stories!

Download audio file (rdr-podcast141.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 141

Following the conclusion of this production is an interview with Emily Agnew, director of both the stage and radio version of the show, with Mokita Grit productions.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast140.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 140

But now there’s more – Audiofile Magazine, to celebrate Agatha’s birthday, is giving out a free audiobook of the Agatha Chrystie story “The Case of the Missing Will,” through a partnership with Audible and BBC Audiobooks America.

You do need to sign up for a form with Audiofile, but heck, if you aren’t already getting the magazine and their newsletters, what kind of audio fan are you? You’ll also need an Audible account, and the same rules apply.

Audiofile Magazine and Audible are both very audio drama friendly. While their emphasis is obviously on audiobooks, you’ll routinely find reviews for audio plays in Audiofile and there are great audio dramas to download on Audible (the Rocky Coast Radio Theatre, for example, and the 2000x series).

So check it out, while there’s time! The offer is only good until September 20.

Check out their landing page stuffed with great Agatha Chrystie material, or go straight to the download for the free audiobook.

Promising Productions looks to the result of efforts from two talented journalism, marketing, and multimedia professionals who have turned their efforts to radio drama in order to get some new, original plays out there. Pluto is an indication of great things to come.

On a mountaintop in Chile, a dying scientist, his daughter, ex-wife, and a boyfriend find themselves looking to the skies, and themselves, for answers about mysteries near and far to the far. Part 1 of 2 today.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast139.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 139

To kick off the excitement for their upcoming Halloween show (more on that in a moment), they’ve launched a YouTube channel with clips from the January show:

For more clips, see their new YouTube channel. In short: they played staggeringly well before a packed house at the Orpheum Theater, and now they’re back for their annual Halloween show, which is bigger than ever. In fact, they’re calling it “The Big Broadcast of October 30th, 1938.”

The show will consist of four performances at the historic Somerville Theatre, and you can bet I’ll at one of them. Here is some more info about the show:

THE FRANK CYRANO BYFAR HOUR – A lost classic from Boston’s radio history!

Travel back to the Golden Age of Radio, to the Rooftop Gardens Auditorium of the old Putnam-Moore Department Store in downtown Boston, and join Frank, Amelia Adams, Charley Kendall, Jenny Brennan, Lex Concord and the Minutemen and the Chowderhouse Gang for some great music, lots of Halloween fun, and a very special guest star!

Sponsored by Byfar Coffee Syrup: “You’ll be a star when you serve Byfar!”

and

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS – The Mob vs. the Martians & the Fall of Boston!

We all know about the horrific events which began on the night of October 30th, 1938. An invasion force from the planet Mars landed their rocket-cylinders around the world, starting in New Jersey. But what happened in Boston during the so-called “War of the Worlds?”
Now we are able to bring you the true story of the Martian Invasion of Boston, using news bulletins and field reports – as given by the actual announcers, historical figures and military personnel at the time, and dramatic recreations to depict the amazing story of how a North End mobster, an MIT scientist, and the Massachusetts National Guard allied themselves to carry out one final strike against the Martians and drive them from the city!

Original music by Michael J. Veloso, performed by the popular Somerville troupe, Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band

Like I said… It oughta be a good time. See you in Boston?

Darker Projects, Brokensea, and Pendant Productions all come to mind as groups who regularly or occasionally use this method. And if you know what you’re doing, it can come out very well!

Of crouse, if you’re just starting out, there are a lot of beginner’s errors you can make that result in uneven, or unusable, results. Which it was why it was so great to come across this presentation by Richard Elen, who presented this talk at OpenTech 2009 in London on producing “Radio Drama At A Distance” using Skype:

Thanks, Richard, for this fantastic presentation. This really sums up just about everything the basic audio drama technician needs to know to get started. We’ll be corresponding with Richard via email and featuring his feedback here in a couple more weeks.

I previously reviewed this piece in my column, Fred’s Fuze, so I need not laden this entry with more praise.  Enjoy this awesome re-envisioning of the Greek tale of Medusa.

Download audio file (rdr-podcast138.mp3)
Radio Drama Revival – Episode 138

My Two Cents: Wow oh wow. Kevin Anderson gets a low and reverential bow for me for turning me on to the Drabblecast, and for that matter the whole universe of audio fiction podcasts — EscapePod, PodCastle, SteamPod, Dunesteef, Psuedopod, etc. This is the kind of stuff that I wish I were doing.   Well, on top of running Radio Drama Revival. It’s what I originally had in mind for FinalRune. Sorta.

I’m going to review each of the other audio fiction podcasts in their own time, but I want to give a special bow to what Norm Sherman is doing with the Drabblecast. As someone who is lacking completely to an ounce any talent producing music, I was blown away by him throwing in absolutely stunning song about a mutant turtle in a recent episode. Presuming he does the music for the actual stories he reads, too, well that’s just damn good.

Norm’s show isn’t strictly audio drama but if you’re a fan of stories in sound you’ll like it. It’s the shortest of the audio fiction ‘casts — it rarely runs more than 15 minutes — so if you’re like me, and find brevity the heart of audio, then you’ll dig it. There’s never a dull moment on this podcast.

Some other time I might comment on specific episodes which I love – there are a bunch.  For now I encourage you just to mosey over to the Drabblecast and start listening.