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

Saturday Night Theatre was a long-running radio drama strand on BBC Radio 4.
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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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[@maries8059]

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!

[@mikewellwood1412]

Thank you. Yes, I listened to the end. 1963. Feels like another age entirely, and I suppose (as I write), it's over 57 years ago, which is more than half a lifetime for most people.

[@rogerandmegh5575]

Thanks - really good good tip to keep listening. Very moving.

[@stevie-ray2020]

If you haven't watched 'JFK; The Smoking-Gun', you'll find that the explanation proposed for what happened on that fateful day is quite a plausible one (without dragging out all the crazy conspiracy-theories)! Was also the same day that C.S Lewis died from kidney-failure! (The very first episode of 'Doctor Who' aired on BBC-TV was postponed to the 23rd, the following day, due to JFK's assassination.)

[@johnmurray8454]

Remember the winter of 62/63

[@janebrown7231]

Thank you for that tip! The continuity announcers are always very much worth listening to, but this was a particularly historic time.

[@colinglass1342]

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

[@avrilmariethurston6992]

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

[@LudaMas-b6k]

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

[@judiththomas9995]

Marvelous. Thanks for uploading, much appreciated.

[@geraldwalker3317]

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

[@iap-ug3oy]

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….

[@francesmcmillan7596]

I agree. I hate the dumbing down, the lack of civility and the flood of vulgarity everywhere.

[@suspendeddisbelief401]

I agree. It seems that it was a huge misbelief that the future would mean 'better' or things would continue to improve.

[@cliffburnes407]

wish I was there I grew up on all the ole past being raised by grandparents. I was not ready for the future because I lived so much in the past😉

[@cousinsister69]

Yet apparently iq, especially in westerners has been increasing steadily since the first tests were taken. Smarter, yet dumber behaviours.

[@weatherman68]

Maybe where you lived, 😂😂🤣

[@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.

[@susandelongis885]

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

[@madelinesolk5734]

I miss the 50d to the 70s so much!

[@ayferbektas7034]

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

[@lydiamarks8577]

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

[@catznjam470]

Nice photo! Wow!

[@daftirishmarej1827]

Amazing artwork!!! And hurricane Sally has just landed... 😑

[@HidingPlainSight]

..it's Aug.2021...we now have hurricanes Henri and Grace.

[@suzannahjames526]

Fabulous- including strange noises.....funny.

[@colinglass1342]

As i said many times before Yes i do like a great story Yes at the start of this drama curious sounds can be heard haven't come across sounds like that before in a play whether unintentional cant say didn't put me off listening i listened to all of this

[@colinglass1342]

Wonder if people still travel to the theaters in england or europe to see live plays on stages. Now in this high technological age we have have all the entertainment WE could possibly need brought into our homes on 📱 devices tvs 📺

[@susanotway7875]

Enjoyable. Very British!

[@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!!? 🤨

[@Apostolic3564]

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 😊

[@leerussellsmith8558]

What's with the weird noises ??

[@lynnefisher4167]

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

[@jordankennedy8421]

Ha ha I agree 😂

[@daftirishmarej1827]

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!

[@daftirishmarej1827]

@AKZbin User what made me smile were references to sherry and whist. And I only twigged it was whist thanks to Ms Heyer and Ms Christie. Thanks for getting me to listen again - top hole! Toodle pip old bean 😁😁😃

[@paulbennett772]

Great storm photo; must have been taken in Tornado Alley

[@truthreigns7]

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

[@mrbazzabee4013]

Sounded like a scene from Dr.Who and the Daleks film circa 1967

[@D3cyTH3r]

I might be wrong, but didn't the BBC have a special workshop dedicated to creating sound effects? It's far too early for digital, so presumably it's some fairly complicated tape work. Sounds like 2 short samples repeatedly copied, cut and stitched together (early reverb?). They were probably very intelligent chaps who got very creative, so esoteric methods such as recording in echo chambers can't be ruled out? EDIT: Sorry, must've read your question while wearing my autistic glasses. It's the sound of the window opening isn't it? (god knows why?)

[@louisbrugnoni1291]

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

[@donwardell4605]

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.

[@mikewellwood1412]

Also, Rolf Lefebvre was in many of the Paul Temples, possibly also Haydn Jones, or if not, he was in many other radio dramas. I also notice the name of Stephen Thorne. And of course, Gabriel Woolf. All in all, a good solid cast.

[@janegriffiths7733]

Happy memories of Listen with Nana, best things to come from bbc,when the whole world relied on their truthful none biased news far from the propaganda and misinformation they spew out now. Love Paul Temple also,thanks for posting

[@donwardell4605]

SO GOOD TO HAVE MEMORIES WE ARE THE SUBSTANCE OF ALL OUR DEEDS AND THOUGHTS - THANKS

[@eddiemunster2196]

When that certain gentleman picked up and just left, to see one of there parents that is ill, this is just too perfect for the Killer. So as they were discussing it in the room, I believe the killer was in the middle, of that conversation. Do you see how a few people what's Shane my wife call the police and tell them. Now there was more than one that said that. I believe you've heard the same conversation of what I'm speaking of. But my theory is what I have already said, the Killer was there during that conversation.. I'll leave that toured with you to ponder it. But remember the young boy on the roof why would he lie ? As you have noticed I have not said any names. I did that to keep the plot wide open... Now I will be heading back to the play to see what the outcome will be ?...... And a sincere thank you once again

[@stewartlancaster6155]

beginning is missing

[@stewartmcardle8149]

This is strange... according to the Genome source, this was first broadcast as a Saturday Night Theatre drama production on Saturday 30th November 1963 and was scheduled from 20.30 to 22.00 hrs (90 minutes)....this supposedly lasts 75 minutes so is edited short by 15 minutes.

[@D3cyTH3r]

My good man... [puffs on pipe] ...have you not for a minute considered that there may have been a break for the news at 9 o'clock?

[@23cutemonkey]

It does seem to start several minutes in, no intros or preliminary scene setting. I loved the spooky interference and echo, presumably unintentional.

[@melissasaint3283]

@@D3cyTH3r oh, bravo, Holmes!

[@D3cyTH3r]

​@@melissasaint3283 Elementary, my dear Watson.

[@eddiemunster2196]

Everything to what I said in my first comment then finding out at the very very end of the play, really throws a wrench in the fire ? A whole and another play could be re-written and connected to the first play ? Don't you think ?

[@juniperchase222]

What’s with weird noises? Off putting!

[@XyzXyz-mm9vq]

What’s the storyline in this play?

[@maries8059]

It's a murder mystery, set in a boarding school.

[@lochlainnmacneill2870]

What's all that stupid 'Dr Who' music effect? I found it extremely irritating.

[@boojay111]

what are those strange sounds, aliens!?!👽

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Upper class English accents ?

[@markcrook4615]

A brilliant play ruined by stupid sound effects 😡🙄. What you playing at???

[@johnhodges8264]

Damn foriegners!

[@jamesmason8052]

Quite right. A what?

[@lindenbutters9396]

Foreigners!

[@johnhodges8264]

@@lindenbutters9396 "I before E except after C !"

[@Charles-oo8bq]

​@@johnhodges8264not in this case!!!!!!! Foreigners is correct!!!!😂

[@chadpenner5059]

The 'outer space ' sound effects make this unlistenable.....thumbs waaaay 👇

[@aussieagle]

Meandering silly story.

[@freedomofspeech6095]

Very hard play to follow and very weak plot.

[@louisbrugnoni1291]

Have to disagree. I think it moved well and I had no trouble following it. Believe me I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed either! Lol

[@susansherlock7474]

A boring play..

[@cousinsister69]

Another goodie. Ty CR.

[@madelinesolk5734]

I miss the 50d to the 70s so much!