Mart’s Radio Highlight of the Week – Graeae’s Midwich Cuckoos

Graeae's Midwich Cuckoos is a fresh take on a science fiction classic: the English village of the title has a "day out", following which all the women of child-bearing age mysteriously become pregnant, with the resulting infants developing at an unnatural rate and demonstrating mysterious powers. She makes me do things. Do things? With her eyes. … Continue reading Mart’s Radio Highlight of the Week – Graeae’s Midwich Cuckoos →

Mart’s Movie of the Month – Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

When I first heard about this film on The Jonathan Ross Show I was a bit meh. I mean, it's a romance innit. But Mrs S was keen, so off we went. Now, having seen it this afternoon, I can safely say Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool is everything a movie should be: great … Continue reading Mart’s Movie of the Month – Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool →

Mart’s Radio Highlight of the Week – A Badge, by Tony Pitts

When I learned another play by Tony Pitts was due for broadcast I knew it would be a belter. His previous plays Pact and Monster were incredible: the former, the darkest radio play I've ever heard; the latter, a skilful examination of the secrets lurking behind so many ordinary front doors. Written in Pitts’ unique, … Continue reading Mart’s Radio Highlight of the Week – A Badge, by Tony Pitts →

GF Newman’s The Corrupted

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been catching up with series three of GF Newman’s The Corrupted, a superlative drama recently broadcast on BBC Radio 4. If you’re looking for an audio equivalent of gritty TV drama to listen to on your commute or when cooking (one of my favourite times to listen), then … Continue reading GF Newman’s The Corrupted →

Random Acts of Senseless Violence by Jack Womack

I’ve just finished re-reading Random Acts of Senseless Violence by Jack Womack. Set in New York at an unspecified date, Random Acts… is the story of 12-year old Lola Hart’s experiences as her family’s situation takes a downturn, against a backdrop of political and economic turmoil. We see Lola’s development through entries in her diary, … Continue reading Random Acts of Senseless Violence by Jack Womack →

Out of the Unknown – Essence of Wyndham, Absence of Women

Last year I was given a copy of the BFI’s Out of the Unknown – a collection of TV plays broadcast by the BBC from 1965 to 1971. The set includes 20 plays and special features, with some episodes also available with audio commentary. Although many episodes were wiped, the BFI has made efforts to restore … Continue reading Out of the Unknown – Essence of Wyndham, Absence of Women →

Mart’s Radio Drama Digest – PILGRIM SPECIAL

Pilgrim written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz, directed/produced by Marc Beeby and Jessica Dromgoole Of all the tales told on these islands, few are as strange as that of William Palmer. Cursed, apparently, on the road to Canterbury in the spring of 1185 for denying the presence of the other world by the king of the grey … Continue reading Mart’s Radio Drama Digest – PILGRIM SPECIAL →