BBC Radio Plays from 1974

A STUDY IN SCARLET....1974
Excellent dramatisation of the first Holmes story, where Watson and Holmes meet. Watson played by Dinsdale Landen, Holmes by Robert Powell, Lestrade by John Hollis. No other details at time of writing (credits incomplete on recording). Repeated 1978.

LATE INTO THE NIGHT....1974
By William Keenan. Thriller; Anna Cropper, John Bennett. There is a full review of this play on the William Keenan page (q.v.). Broadcast R4, 21.9.74, 90m.

THE CAMP OF THE DOG....1974
By Algernon Blackwood, dramatised by Sheila Hodgson. A creepy tale about a giant hound.

THE TASTE OF PROOF....1974
Police procedural story; Bill Knox, 90m, 3 Aug 74.

THE TOLL-GATE....1974
By Georgette Heyer. 20.7.74. With Colin Fisher, Elizabeth Bell, Mark Rogers.

THE LIGHT OF A THOUSAND SUNS....1974
6.7.74. With Manning Wilson, John Rye, Ian Thompson, Sion Probert. Exciting "Cold War" type drama about an ultimate deterrent which malfunctions. Nailbiting ending. 90m. By James Follett.

LORD DRACULA....1974
Revolting drama about Vlad the Impaler. Made me feel sick listening to it. Impaling people on stakes. By Brian Hayles, 27.4.74. Kenneth Haigh, Nigel Stock.

When Father Benedict was young and filled with pride for truth, he had travelled the villages of the land with Father Emmanuel, preaching their faith boldly. One day, word reached them to attend Lord Dracula at his court at Tirgoviste. They came bravely, for they knew the horrifying reputation of the man but he greeted them most courteously. When Lord Dracula asked them what his people think of him, Father Emmanuel replied that they say all manners of good things. All men hold him in honour and affection and that there is no man that does not call him noble. He then asks Father Benedict who told him the truth: that they call him tyrant and that he is renown only for his violent cruelty. Vlad rewarded the honest monk for his integrity and courage and impaled the sycophant for his dishonesty.

Now, Father Benedict begins to write a chronicle of the year 1476, at the command of the King of Hungary and his ecclesiastical superiors, who resolve him of the evils that he has witnessed. The story begins at the mighty castle of Tirgoviste, where Father Benedict served as chaplin and chancellor to the Prince of Wallachia and Transylvania - the most cruel of men yet once the most just of rulers. Known now and to the future of his more legendary names: Vlad Tepes,The Impaler, and of a more darker meaning still, Lord Dracula.

With Kenneth Haigh [Vlad Tepes,The Impaler], Nigel Stock [Father Benedict Estagen], Diane Orkin [Melitsa, a Witch], John Rowe [Lord István, Vlad's son from his first marriage], Gareth Armstrong [Brother Jakob], Heddy Nicholas [The Lady Ilonia, King of Hungary's sister and Vlad's Second Wife], and Don Henderson [Captain Ferenc].

Also in the cast were George Woolley, Betty Malet, Patricia Green, Graham Rigby, and Philip Barber.

Directed by Anthony Cornish in Birmingham

Brian Hayles was born in Portsmouth in 1930. His early aim in life was to be a sculptor although this dream subsided after a brief trip to Canada. When returning he started to write for BBC Radio's "The Archers". He began writing for TV and he worked on "Doctor Who" on several occasions starting with 'The Celestial Toymaker'. He carried on writing and in 1978, he died while working on "Arabian Adventure".

Review by 'S-J' - many thanks.

compiled by Nigel Deacon / Diversity website
Above plays all known to exist in VRPCC collections.

Back to top