BBC Radio Plays

[tubemonkey]

BBC Sounds -- BBC Radio Plays

BBC Radio is a great free source for those interested in dramatized productions of literature; especially the classics. They can be found on Radio 3, Radio 4, Radio 4 Extra and BBC Podcasts.

• BBC iPlayer App ---> Amazon | Android | iOS
  
• BBC Sounds App ---> Amazon | Android | iOS --> UK only
  
• Radio Categories --> Audiobooks | Comedy | Drama | History | Podcasts | more

BBC Radio Stations

• BBC Radio 3 -- arts, classical, drama, jazz, world
  
• BBC Radio 4 -- arts & culture, comedy, drama, history, politics, science & nature
  
• BBC Radio 4 Extra -- comedy, drama, entertainment, factual

BBC Radio 4 Series

• 15 Minute Drama -- classic & contemporary original drama and book dramatisations
  
• Afternoon Drama -- radio dramas which delight and surprise
  
• Afternoon Reading -- short stories or abridged books, often from new writers
  
• Book at Bedtime -- readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers, world lit
  
• Book of the Week -- serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres
  
• British New Wave -- celebrates the fiction that became iconic films of the sixties
  
• Classic Serial -- adaptations of works which have achieved classic status
  
• Drama of Week -- every Friday we bring you a new drama from BBC Radio 4 or Radio 3
  
• Drama on 3 -- series of drama performances, ranging from experimental works to the classics
  
• Fright Night -- dramas and programmes to disturb and delight
  
• Saturday Drama -- thrillers, mysteries, love stories, detective fiction, special series

.

[tubemonkey]

Why can't I access this podcast?

The BBC podcast you are trying to access is not available to users outside the UK.

Podcast series which are only available in the UK are clearly marked in the BBC Podcast Directory:

Many other BBC podcasts are available, and you can find them all at bbc.co.uk/podcasts.

If you are seeing this page, it is because your computer appears to reside outside of the UK, according to its 'IP address'. There are a number of sites freely available on the internet where you can check your IP address and location, such as http://whatismyipaddress.com

Why are some podcasts UK only?

Some BBC podcasts are only available to users in the UK. This is generally due to rights agreements which prevent us from making the content available internationally. Find out more here.

I'm in the UK and I still can't access UK only podcasts!

If you are based in the UK there are some common reasons why you would still not be able to access UK only podcasts:

Your internet service provider (ISP) supplies your connection through a "proxy" server based outside the UK.

If this is the case, you computer would have an international IP address and would appear to be overseas, even if you are a UK customer. If you think this might be the case, we suggest that you contact your ISP for more advice.

You are using a computer at work which has an overseas IP address

If you are trying to access this BBC podcast whilst at work, it is possible that your computer has an overseas IP address. This is because some companies channel their internet access through an international office, or a supplier outside the UK. If this is the case, please consult the IT staff at your place of work for more advice.

You are using an internet browser on a mobile phone (or other mobile device)

If you are attempting to access a BBC podcast page via an internet browser on a mobile phone (or other mobile device), you may be prevented for reasons similar to those outlined above. If so, we recommend that you consult your mobile network for more help.

You are using software that is hiding your real IP address

If you are attempting to access a BBC podcast page using a toolbar accelerator or any anonymous web browsing tool your actual IP address may be hidden and you could appear to be outside the UK. If this is the case try disabling the anonymous browsing functionality or uninstalling the toolbar.

[tubemonkey]

An Angel at My Table -- Janet Frame -- exp 04 Sep

BBC Radio 4 has a dramatization of the autobiography of New Zealand author Janet Frame. It's in two 60 min episodes. Episode 1 expires in 5 days and Episode 2 in 6 days.

Janet Frame was New Zealand's best known but least public author. The author of twelve novels, four story collections, one book of poetry and three volumes of autobiography, even at the height of her success Frame shunned publicity, which had the effect of making the media and her readership even more intrusively interested.

Frame's story is extraordinary. As her biographer Michael King said, "her family was an anvil on which disasters fell". But it was the issue of Frame's mental health which generated the most conjecture. To set the record straight about the circumstances of her committal to mental hospitals and being diagnosed with schizophrenia, in the early 80's Janet Frame wrote her autobiography; three volumes entitled 'To The Island (1982), An Angel At My Table and The Envoy From Mirror City (both 1984).

Dark Fire -- CJ Sansom -- exp 06 Sep

Here's a historical crime drama from BBC Radio 4extra. Two episodes 70-75 minutes each. Episode 1 expires in 7 days and Episode 2 doesn't air until 06 Sep.

Dark Fire is a historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom. It is Sansom's second novel, released in 2004, and also the second in the Matthew Shardlake Series. Set in the 16th century during the reign of Tudor King Henry VIII, it follows hunchbacked lawyer Shardlake's search to recover the long-lost formula for Greek fire.

The novel was awarded the Crime Writers' Association Ellis Peters Historical Dagger award in 2005.

It is 1540 and the hottest summer of the sixteenth century. Matthew Shardlake, believing himself out of favour with Thomas Cromwell, is busy trying to maintain his legal practice and keep a discreet profile. But his involvement with a murder case, defending a girl accused of brutally murdering her young cousin, brings him once again into contact with the king's chief minister – and a new assignment ...

[AJ Starr]

Where do you find BBC Radio? Sirius? or what? I'm from the AM/FM generation.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by AJ Starr

Where do you find BBC Radio? Sirius? or what? I'm from the AM/FM generation.

On your PC, you can stream these shows from the links in the OP (opening post).

You can also get apps for your phone or tablet that will let you stream them.

[Mike Hobart]

You can get a free podcast of a new radio play once a week from BBC Radio 4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/ptw

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Mike Hobart

You can get a free podcast of a new radio play once a week from BBC Radio 4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/ptw

Thanks for the info - added it to the OP

[tubemonkey]

Now Playing on BBC Radio 4 extra

• Doctor Who --> Nevermore -- 1 ep (60 min) -- exp 20 Sep

The Time Lord and his new companion materialise on a prison planet, themed on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Eighth Doctor adventure stars Paul McGann and Niky Wardley.

starting Sunday (21 Sep)

• Doctor Who --> The Book of Kells -- 1 ep (60 min) -- exp 27 Sep

The Time Lord and Tamsin are embroiled in an Irish medieval mystery surrounding an influential manuscript. Eighth Doctor adventure stars Paul McGann and Niky Wardley.

[crich70]

Mysteryshows.com has some old BBC Radio shows along with many others from Classic Radio program days. They do ask for a small 1 time donation of $10..00 for access to the members area (to help defray costs of bandwith etc. but they even waive that if the person is sight impaired. Click You can listen to them onsite or download them for listening to later.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by crich70

Mysteryshows.com has some old BBC Radio shows along with many others from Classic Radio program days. They do ask for a small 1 time donation of $10..00 for access to the members area (to help defray costs of bandwith etc. but they even waive that if the person is sight impaired. Click You can listen to them onsite or download them for listening to later.

Thanks - I added this site to the Audio Dramas thread

[tubemonkey]

BBC Radio 4 Extra

• Journey to the Centre of the Earth -- Jules Verne -- 1 ep (90 min) -- exp 17 Jan

Ancient runes spark a geologist's exploration of an impossible realm. Jules Verne's adventure stars Nathaniel Parker and Nicholas Le Prevost.

[HarryT]

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

6 Part Radio 4 dramatisation. Episode list at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04knt4h/episodes/guide

Should be available until around 22nd Jan or so.

[AnemicOak]

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05pkqkl

[tilia]

Mort by Terry Pratchett

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00b5r2q

4 parts, first one available for another 26 days, so until 20th of May or so.

[tubemonkey]

Here are a couple of one episode tales from Ray Bradbury:

• The Illustrated Man -- Ray Bradbury -- 1 ep (58 min) -- exp 05 Oct
• The Martian Chronicles -- Ray Bradbury -- 1 ep (58 min) -- exp 12 Oct

The Illustrated Man

Iain Glen is the Illustrated Man in a dramatisation by Brian Sibley of Ray Bradbury's iconic short story collection.

A young traveller encounters a vagrant on the road who claims his tattoos come to life after dark and have the powers of prophecy.

The vagrant offers his young travelling companion tantalising glimpses into the future with tales of restless androids, children caught up in a sinister game and astronauts stranded in outer space which all hint at dark and troubling times ahead.

The Martian Chronicles

Derek Jacobi and Hayley Atwell lead an all-star cast in a thrilling new dramatisation, re-imagining Ray Bradbury's timeless fable of doomed Martian colonisation.

When the first expedition to Mars mysteriously disappears, Earth sends a second to find out what happened. But the real mission is classified. And only Captain Wilder knows the truth.