BBC RADIO DRAMA: THE TEST by Peter Whalley

The Test by Peter Whalley was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 19 July 2008
Story:
Taut psychological thriller . The past collides with the present when the police reopen an old murder case. John Newland is again a suspect, but there is the possibility that a DNA test will reveal a truth he has been covering up for 20 years.
Cast:
John: David Bamber
Sue: Denise Black
Mike David Fleeshman: David Seamus O'Neill
David: Seamus O'Neill
DI Musker: Craig Cheetham

[@jacksonburnette762]

Once again, P Whalley crafts a fine drama that bob and weaves and holds your attention.

[@judydunlop1964]

Thoroughly compelling and convincing acting. Love these dramas.

[@sheilajackson4839]

Engaging all the way through to the final moments. The characters were well described, with twists and turns, revelations about motives, a great story.

[@ionlyemergeafterdark]

This is the second Peter Whalley drama I have listened to. Whalley writes good gripping dialogue and plots. Good work.

[@ildikoridley3734]

Very grateful for these recordings, thanks. Great quality and so gripping. 👌

[@carolynnilsen9270]

These are brilliant radio plays. Take note Radio 4 !

[@daisyproud110]

This is a Radio 4 Saturday play though, isn’t it??!

[@steviegaga]

Truly one of the better plot twists! Well done and thanks for posting.

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

Fr!

[@christrinder1255]

Another excellent play! Great to hear again! Many thanks for again posting Arch !👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍😊

[@tedar3986]

Hey Chris, I miss Archie ☺️ I left you a msg on JMAA but I think I’ve been “blocked/hidden” by the creator???🤷🏻‍♀️ Not a clue why..I don’t leave negative comments nor spoilers etc. Anyway just wanted to say hey & hope yall are all fat-n-happy 😊✌️. **2wks later:Chris? Give me a like or something if you get this. Now I’m paranoid that none of my messages are getting through lol🥴😏

[@davidanderson3586]

Peter Whalley writes some great stories :-)

[@muhammadomer4674]

Naa this wasnt so great

[@sandragailgoudelock1531]

Fabulous story, fabulous acting with a perfect end. Radio drama that is unparalleled. A huge thank you for posting!!

[@cajsheen2594]

David Bamber characterised Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice wonderfully. I didn't realise until the end that he had played John in this one. Then of course, I realised why it was so good! XXX They ALL were! XXX

[@AissataArt]

I never saw that end coming. This was really good. Thank you

[@tessellatiaartilery8197]

What a powerful story. And some incredible radio acting too. Thank you very much for posting this. I enjoy these so much more than TV or streaming video these days.

[@relodinge]

Upon my Word, what a story¡ Thanks!

[@jeanmcguinness3297]

I remember growing up with these on the radio all the BBC stories. It was no television and those were wonderful days. I'm glad I have rediscovered them now xx think you to the people who take the time And make the effort to download them for us. God bless you all

[@maryfeehan7896]

Wonderful story and acting. Thank you

[@Mounhas]

Thank you again for these posts, it really does take me into a calmer place.

[@camelia9802]

A very good play with lots of twists and turns.

[@lavenderfields929]

What a great storyline. Good work. Worth a listen. 🇦🇺

[@jp-4243]

Well I didn’t expect that ending! Brilliant - I felt the husband was unhinged but I didn’t think it would end like that - brilliant 👌🏽 👏🏽

[@lorraine2336]

Really enjoyed this. Didn’t work out the ending at all 😊

[@Loobylooto2]

Not sure how many times I’ve listened to this over the years but really easy listening as storylines are engaging and all usually have a good twist at the end Thank you again- probably left a message each time I’ve listened in !👵🏼👵🏼👵🏼👵🏼

[@ronostick9718]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, Thanks for uploading "Arch".

[@royhadley686]

Thank you

[@lydiamarks8577]

Very good! Thank you for uploading 👍

[@patriciallamas2050]

Hi, @Arch! I hope you're doing great! 🤗 ❤ Thank you so much for sharing these stories with us! Happy New Year! ✨🥂🤩 xxx

[@jeremypearson6852]

Terribly sad story, but she didn’t do herself any favors.

[@Baskerville22]

John played by David Bamber. Bamber has appeared in countless TV series, including Midsomer Murders, The Bill, Heartbeat, New Tricks, Doc Martin, Father Brown. He's also had an extensive film career. I guessed John was him from his distinctive voice & diction.

[@Wendyj55]

Yes, and doesn't he sound, at least a little, like Rodney Bewes?

[@Baskerville22]

@@Wendyj55 Yes, I agree, though we didn't see much of Bewes work out here in Australia. I know he was in a series with the better-known James Bolam. I recall Bamber being in 2 Midsomer Murders episodes: the one involving the art forgeries (he played a dodgy antiques dealer) and another where Barnaby was shocked to see Mrs Rainbird & her son, Dennis at a local fair....though they turned out to be relatives of the actual, late, Mrs Rainbird & Dennis killed off in The Killings at Badgers' Drift

[@jordsupp]

And that was another good'un. Thankyou.

[@auburnsynge-perrin6075]

Excellent play, very complicsted, but also believable. perfecctly acted & produced. radio drama fan 'Trevurr'

[@francespunnett9677]

Excellent! Second time I have listened to it and enjoyed it all over again!

[@archphoenixstanton6998]

Thanks for listening

[@PeaceofthePlans]

I love a good surprise ending!

[@wondershaw3356]

Omg this has been brilliant and holding my attention I feel sorry for the wife I think the husband is coercive and narcissistic. Just something about him. Thank you gor such a wonderful play

[@Cat-ix5ip]

​@@duke419God yes! Why should he be seen as coersive, she can walk away whenever she likes, I feel sorry for her

[@maricamaas2326]

Terrible for either a husband or wife to be married to an unfaithful spouse.

[@saraknight3605]

Brilliant story

[@PippaAT]

Listening from near Wakefield, West Yorkshire!

[@tehminashah836]

Excellent

[@rainrain9378]

Very entertaining thanking you for your time and effort,,,

[@Aiko2-26-9]

That was gripping from start to finish.

[@annetteeggett]

Fantastic ! Thank you ❤️

[@user-sv5qq1cq8b]

Fantastic delivery, much appreciated

[@Loobylooto2]

I love Peter Whaley - next RD Wingfield he’s the best 😊 Edit:Thank you

[@artmoss6889]

R. D. Wingfield is superb. My God, what a brilliant catelogue of radio plays the BBC created.

[@dismith73]

Thanks Arch

[@malabhargava]

Loved it

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

Superb acting, excellent play.

[@barbd5607]

I listened to this play a while ago. It really is very good 👍

[@deegeraghty3421]

Horrible ending. 2 emotional leeches in an unhappy marriage ... yuk !!

[@louisabell4861]

‘Control and Possession’ Wishing someone to be what the other partner wants them to be & what are not . 😱 Superb writer / Actors. 5⭐️👏👏👏👏👏

[@uandesri]

Very thankful

[@bernadettemcinerney7284]

"Send me a text" in 1988?

[@theatricaldiva3028]

The police were absolutely vile in this

[@Cosmicreepers13]

Ads ruins listening in bed

[@markrossow6303]

Quality Production

[@kimberlykasimoff1447]

She can't leave her husband, but she can have and continue to have an adulterous relationship. Strange thinking.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Written , I suspect , by one of those nerdy writer types with limited or no experience of women. I'd best not say any more....

[@emf49]

Peter Whaley writes some very messed up stories. I wonder why? They’re fascinating but still dark and disturbing.

[@kleavy5828]

Super thriller very enjoyable

[@dannebonaparte2213]

Gripping but grim 😯😲🙁

[@Stephen0988]

He should have got rid of the Matrimonial Millstone.

[@lynnsaunders2553]

Fab drama really enjoyed it 👌👌

[@MrTang-qo9wm]

Peter Whalley specialized in awful characters who he set up in conflict with one another to their ruin. He never gave anyone a fair chance and he condemned his characters to their own awfulness.

[@jackiewacky346]

Thankyou very good.

[@flyonthewall7026]

All he had to say was... "I DO NOT UNDERSTAND.... I DO NOT CONSENT" And say nothing else. And they can't do ANYTHING.

[@auburnsynge-perrin6075]

As john said & his lawyer friend concurred - to some extent this is a police state. they get away with murder . Getting DNA off someone without consent, arresting someone on no grounds whatever, all in a day's work.

[@tedar3986]

I MISS ARCHIE 💙

[@GaryColemanNC]

Me too!!! Hope everything is ok...

[@tedar3986]

@@GaryColemanNC yes🙏🏼Whachu talkin bout Willis? sorry I just had to lol

[@Wendyj55]

Would like know know when this was first broadcast please.

[@tga253]

Wendy it says on the description. July 2008

[@Wendyj55]

Eek, thanks .. not paying proper attention.

[@tga253]

@@Wendyj55 lol

[@joannaprewer1885]

The criminals are vile !

[@jacquiadams863]

Such a dysfunctional marriage. Both parties are guilty. But an excellent story.

[@mysteriesoflife64]

What kind of husband would be okay with his wife seeing her lover as long as she will come back to him????

[@auburnsynge-perrin6075]

it's called ''unconditional love''. Love knows not reason. I agree it's strange but many marriages work like this, both ways round, 'cheating' husbands, 'in some, cheating' wives in others.

[@SuzanneU]

The same kind of husband as the kind of wife who turns a blind eye to her husband's affairs as long as he comes home.

[@dorissoler1987]

Its called having no backbone or self respect, afraid to face life on your own.

[@TKOin2life]

Perhaps he is physically impaired, like ED?

[@CarolLoch-ww7po]

A weak man and needy

[@graceperry2623]

Well she SAID that's what happened............. but IS that what happened?!

[@leciabella9461]

Is that marriage 🙄....

[@Ldifferent]

I didn’t understand. Husband and lover both suspects?

[@duncan728645]

Slapper!

[@michealburnett6]

Hahaha Like it 😝

[@jwsuicides8095]

ooooh er!

[@GuitarandMusicInstitute]

Missus!

[@Cat-ix5ip]

Maybe she murdered him😮

[@kirstyhaunch4563]

Couldn't believe he killed himself What kind behavior that called love

[@hf1740]

Thanks for that. I was half way through listening when I read your comment😢

[@mariavlachodimou3771]

Why all his stories are about unfaithful couples🤷?!

[@sparklemotion8377]

Peter Whalley is very good at portraying people you have 0,0 sympathy for

[@sherronnelson9110]

Man was he punk or what??? How can a woman be attracted to a weakling like that.

[@muhammadomer4674]

Seems im the only one that didnt like it

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Anyone figured out who is married to who here ? The writer seems to have confused himself with his own plot twists. Or did I miss something... 🤔

[@super8sooty]

she was bit of a slag really. it was a bit of a lame ending.

[@blobbybobs1]

Horrible term.

[@greyeyes2872]

Horrible story. Ugly characters and lame ending.