The intrepid Roy writes: “The Radio Times for next week arrived shortly after [my] last email. A quick scan reveals a rare 90 minute production……
The Saturday Play: Whenever on BBC Radio 4 14:30-16:00 (90 mins) Saturday 26th August. Should be available on ‘Listen Again‘ for 7 days.
It is written by Alan Ayckbourn – a playwright well known for his comedy dramas but not, as far as I know, for Fantasy or SF. Although the RT describes this as a musical comedy, the blurb does seem to indicate this will have an SF element……”
Emily, an orphan who lives with her uncle Martin, an inventor, has her life disrupted by the arrival of her aunt Charity & uncle Lucas, and her cousin Clara. Unbeknown to Martin, Emily is bullied, and one night she witnesses a violent & cruel episode. Desperate to escape, she hides in Martin’s latest invention – a time machine
The list of acting credits and characters indicate that there will indeed be an element of time travelling in the play! More info can be found on legendary UK radio producer Dirk Maggs‘ website – Dirk has a technical production credit on this one.