It’s been a little while since we last mentioned James Patrick Kelly’s Free Reads podcast. Too long in fact. I blame this on my iTunes XML subscription, which broke. After waiting too long for the next installment from this Hugo award-winning author, I finally realized this, and re-subscribed. When I did, I was delighted to discover that Jim had released a three part audio adaptation of a one-woman play based on his short story “Breakaway, Backdown”. The story first appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine in June of 1996.
Breakaway, Backdown the play, had several productions. In February 2006, Jim was able to capture an excellent one in sound. This is the New Hampshire Theatre Project production, starring Lisa Richardson and directed by Genevieve Aichele. Here are the details…
Breakaway, Backdown
Adapted for the stage, from a story by James Patrick Kelly; Performed by Lisa Richardson
3 MP3 Files – 35 Minutes 54 Seconds – [AUDIO DRAMA]
Download: | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |
Breakaway, BackdownAdapted from a story by James Patrick Kelly; Performed by a Full Cast
1 RealAudio File – 35 Minutes 54 Seconds – [AUDIO DRAMA]
Publisher: Seeing Ear Theater
“It’s the future, and living in space is no laughing matter. It’s hard work, and hazardous to your health, cutting life expectancy by 40 to 50 years. What kind of person would give up 40 to 50 years for the adventure of breaking away from Earth? Not Cleo. She tried desperately to break away, to start a new life in space, but failed. She backed down.”