BBC Wales Radio Drama Collection - Alan Plater, Gwyn Thomas

Written by Alan Plater, Gwyn Thomas
Read by Full Cast
Format: M4B
Bitrate: Variable
Dramatization

Alan Plater (15 April 1935 – 25 June 2010) was an English playwright and screenwriter, who worked extensively in British television from the 1960s to the 2000s.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s he wrote three plays which were set in Wales and which dealt with its history and its people.

I’m going to list them in order of my preference because the first one just might be my favourite radio drama of all time…

ONLY A MATTER OF TIME and TIME ADDED ON FOR INJURIES

Two linked comedy dramas by Alan Plater

‘Only a Matter of Time’ finds Fanshawe in the Welsh borders early in the 19th century explaining to Meredith, a deeply sceptical farmworker, the imminent wonders of Mr Brunel’s new railway. Not least of the benefits, of course, will be the arrival of standardised London time.

‘Time Added on for Injuries’ Two men meet on a train and uncover a story that linked their families 150 years ago.

Meredith ….. Alan David
Fanshawe ….. James Bolam

Directed at BBC Wales by Alison Hindell

First Broadcast in 1999 and 2000

This story shows what you can do with two good actors & great writing. If you only download one of these, make it this one.

ALL THINGS BETRAY THEE BY GWYN THOMAS

In 1835, a travelling harpist arrives in the iron town of Moonlea in search of his friend. When he finds unrest and injustice, he tries not to become involved as events threaten to spiral out of control…

Capturing the turbulent world of South Wales during the 1830s, this novel is set against the backdrop of the Methyr and Newport uprisings.

Gywn Thomas’s 1949 novel dramatised in three parts by Alan Plater.

Leigh ….. Ian Hughes
John Simon ….. Patrick Brennan
Helen ….. Melanie Walters
Lemuel ….. Ray Llewellyn
Katherine ….. Manon Edwards
Penbury ….. Bill Stewart
Jefferies ….. Laurence Allan
Bannion ….. Rhodri Hugh
Isabella ….. Helen Gwyn
Jabez ….. Hubert Rees
Felix ….. Keiron Self
Mrs Brier ….. Anwen Williams
Lord Plimmon ….. Ric Jerrom
Rev Bowen ….. Dillwyn Owen
Clark ….. Gerald James
Longridge ….. Sion Probert
Parr ….. Ian Rowlands

Music by Ruth Wall.
Harp: Ruth Wall
Violin: Alison Frances

Directed at BBC Wales by Alison Hindell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1996.

THE DEVIL’S MUSIC BY ALAN PLATER

Rehearsing for the Brecon Jazz Festival, Megan keeps playing a certain melody.

But where does it come from?

Her musical detective trail leads to the 1880s and the visit to Swansea of a choir of emancipated slaves.

Three plays inspired by original material researched and collected by Jen Wilson of the Women’s Jazz Archive, Swansea, written by Alan Plater.

Megan 5th …… Rakie Ayola
Megan 3rd …… Margaret John
Megan 1st …… Helen Griffin
Megan 2nd …… Karin Diamond
Loudin …… Don Warrington
Owain/Michael …… Phylip Harries
Rev Davies/Kelsey …… Rhodri Hugh
PC Thomas …… Arwyn Davies
Mickey …… Joe Caffrey

Composer and Musical Director: Paula Gardiner
Music performed by:
Aula Gardiner
Richard Roberts
Peter Churchill
Nia Lynn
Dyfrig Morris
Lee Williams

Directed at BBC Wales by Alison Hindell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2001

My recordings from BBC Sounds