Storm over Polchester - BBC Saturday Night Theatre - R.C. Woodthorpe

Saturday Night Theatre was a long-running radio drama strand on BBC Radio 4.

The strand showcased feature-length, middle-brow single plays on Saturday evenings for more than 50 years, having been launched in April 1943. The plays featured in the strand included stage plays, book adaptations and original dramatisations. For most of its history, programmes ran for 90 minutes and were largely entertainment-centred, such as thrillers, comedies and mysteries. (Wikipedia)

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[LudaMas-bk]

When a play grips you from the beginning, it is worth listening.

[jorasparents]

I really enjoy these uploads, especially when they include a brief synopsis of the plot or an indication of the genre in the blurb.

[judiththomas]

Marvelous. Thanks for uploading, much appreciated.

[colinglass]

Can't get enough of these types of radio dramas and audio books science fiction

[maries]

If you listen to this play, do make sure that you keep listening right until the very end of the recording. (ie The couple of minutes after the credits have been read.) The play was broadcast in late 1963, mere days after a very significant world event. I found listening to the continuity announcer's references to it fascinating. Thank you, Chesterton Radio, for letting the recording run on and uploading this bit, as well as the actual play!

[iap-ugoy]

This is what it was like in the 50s and 60s, Smart people, shiny shoes, high heels on ladies…..men in suits . AND I HAD NEVER HEARD THE F WORD…. what a mess now ……..These people are not posh that is how it was…………WISH I COULD GO BACK….

[avrilmariethurston]

Absolutely love these dramas, they all speak so awfully well ❤

[susandelongis]

Re comment: Listened to the very end. As an American, was a real shock. I remember just where I was as a little girl.

[lydiamarks]

I loved the play! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Thank you for uploading 👍

[ayferbektas]

From the BBC Genome project:
First broadcast: Sat 30th Nov 1963, 20:30 on BBC Home Service Basic

Storm over Polchester by R. C. Woodthorpe adapted for radio by HOWARD AGG in the series
Murder for Pleasure
Murder is committed at Polchester School and a number of people seem to have a motive. Produced by MARTYN C. WEBSTER

[geraldwalker]

so, 😮I really enjoyed the excellent Whodunnit" The denouement was very Paul Temple, No surprise ti find several of the cast were Temple regulars ( James Beattie, , , Charlie) and producer Martiyn C Webster

[daftirishmarej]

Amazing artwork!!!

And hurricane Sally has just landed... 😑

[feralbluee]

very well written and produced radio play. the actor who played the Italian master was especially good - considering also, that it was only audio. it was not overly played at all. very enjoyable radio. thanks much. :) 🌷
just one thing though, those stupid, weird sounds at the beginning were really very annoying. for pete’s sake why!!? 🤨

[daftirishmarej]

The actors are so posh it's hilarious! BBC at it's prime! It's great for keeping your English grammar correct though!
PS. Because it's British, it's spelt Theatre 😉
Many thanks!

[donwardell]

Martyn C. Webster is a really well know radio producer. He helmed the "Paul Temple " radio serials for many years. He was highly regarded as the ultimate radio drama producer. He could handle vast pages of dialog and always make it good prgramming, when in anyone else hands, the verbage would have seemed a bore.

[louisbrugnoni]

It’s funny but listening to people drinking is more pleasurable than actually drinking.

[lynnefisher]

I think it was aliens having a party next door. Cheers.

[Apostolic]

I love the different characters in this play….except the dude that was describing the Italian teacher so stereotypical! But there was & continues to be folks like that. Good play overall 😊

[paulbennett]

Great storm photo; must have been taken in Tornado Alley

[truthreigns]

At 2:16 or 2:17 i thought the space ships were coming in. What causes this sound?