The Once and Future King - BBC Radio Drama - T. H. White

Written by T. H. White
Read by Paul Ready, David Warner, Full Cast
Format: M4B
Bitrate: 128 Kbps
Dramatization

The radio debut of all five books of The Once and Future King in an adaptation by the award-winning dramatist, Brian Sibley.

White’s imagining of Arthur’s childhood in The Sword in The Stone, his use of myth to deliver a powerful anti-war message and the humanity of his depiction of doomed love marks this cycle of novels as one of the defining works of 20th century fantasy fiction.

White uses the Arthurian legends to explore epic themes of national identity, democracy and the virtues of right over might.

Six one-hour episodes:-

1. The Coming of Merlyn -
On the night before a decisive battle, Merlyn and Arthur meet to talk about what has brought the King and country to this perilous state.

2. The Sword in the Stone -
Wart’s remarkable education at the hands of the wizard Merlyn draws to a close.

3. The Queen of Air and Darkness -
Rebels challenge Arthur’s claim to the throne. As war approaches, darker motives for bringing him down emerge.

4. The Ill-Made Knight -
Full of zeal for Arthur’s new chivalric order, Lancelot rides into Camelot.

5. The Lengthening Shadow -
Murder and betrayal threaten to undermine all that Arthur holds dear.

6. The Candle in the Wind -
Mordred uses Arthur’s new laws against him, and long-held secrets are exposed.

First broadcast in 2014.

My recordings from iPlayer. 142kbps 48kHz M4B