Sci-fi on BBC Radio

BBC Radio has launched a major cross-station Science Fiction Season. The season, spread over three weeks in February and March, sees BBC Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7 play host to a number of science fiction-themed plays and adaptations of both classic and new works.

Famous names from the science fiction genre featured in the season include Iain M Banks’ The State of the Art, starring Sir Anthony Sher, Arthur C Clarke’s Rendezvous with Rama, HG Wells’ Time Machine, The Twilight Zone, and Down and Safe: A Celebration of Blake’s 7.

Jeremy Howe, Radio 4’s Commissioning Editor for Drama, said: “When you consider the pinnacle of science fiction story-telling, writers such as Iain M Banks, HG Wells and Arthur C Clarke immediately spring to mind. These are quite simply some of the greatest writers telling some of the most wonderful stories, and it is that side of science fiction that BBC Radio 3, 4 and 7 are exploring in our Science Fiction Season – we want to tell listeners great stories.”

BBC Radio 4 will also broadcast Cry Babies starring Alex Jennings and Natasha Little; and Homesick, The Death of Grass and Mayflies, starring Derek Jacobi. In addition to HG Wells’ The Time Machine, BBC Radio 3 will also broadcast Bring Me The Head of Philip K Dick and Salmonella Man on Planet Porno. BBC Radio 7 will air a ten-part original drama series, Planet B, and episodes of The Twilight Zone. Other programmes on BBC Radio 7 include Alpha and its sister play, Omega.

Full details of all the programmes in the season are below.

BBC Radio 3

Drama on 3: H G Wells The Time Machine, 22 February, 8pm – This is the first dramatisation for radio of H G Wells’ time traveller’s journey to the future, where mankind has diverged into two species, the Eloi and the Morlocks. Robert Glenister performs the role of The Time Traveller and William Gaunt is H G Wells. Its opening scene is set in 1943 with H G Wells recording his broadcast ‘Reshaping Man’s Heritage’; in this talk Wells addresses the fact that for the first time in history, man is capable of bringing about his own destruction and the destruction of the world. American journalist Martha spends the evening with Wells and he tells her the story of the Time Traveller. Wells explains that he was actually there in person in Richmond in 1885 when the Time Traveller came back from his first journey, and reveals that the Time Traveller made recordings of the final moments of the world, recordings which Wells still has and plays to Martha.

The Time Machine has been adapted a number of times for TV and film (the 1960 film was re-made in 2002), and there have been a number of sequels by other writers. Apart from an American audio dramatisation (featuring Leonard Nimoy and John De Lancie) the book has not previously been adapted for radio.

The Wire: Salmonella Men on Planet Porno, 28 February, 9.30pm – Originally a short story by Japanese cult writer Yasutaka Tsutsui, Salmonella Men on Planet Porno is a bizarre fable about our obsession with sexuality and obscenity. On Planet Porno the local humanoid natives have no such hang ups. Dr Shimazaki falls pregnant after accidentally being impregnated by a plant (widow’s incubus). There is no way she can go to term with the hybrid monster growing inside her. Three intrepid astronauts make their way across the planet to find the secret of how to terminate the foetus from the Newdopians – humanoid natives who wear no clothes and have no notion of the obscene.

In this new adaptation for Radio 3 only one scientist makes it back to base, too late to save Shimazaki. This sole survivor is found by a rescue team in a catatonic state but his memories of the dreadful events are extracted from him. The adaptation has original music composed by Joe Acheson and played on the saw and cello by Su-a Lee (Scottish Chamber Orchestra). Animal vocalisations are by burlesque performer and fire-eater Ophelia Bitz.

Drama on 3: Bring me the Head of Philip K Dick, 8 March, 8pm – “I am by profession a science fiction writer. I deal in fantasies. My life is a fantasy!” Philip K. Dick is dead, alas. But his android counterpart a government simulacra is lost and creating chaos!

Perhaps science fiction’s wildest talent, Philip K. Dick’s work and influence has extended beyond his wildest dreams since his untimely death in March 1982. His work has been seized upon by Hollywood and his ideas taken up by writers, artists and thinkers. Now the award-winning Gregory Whitehead takes him or rather his android head on his most unexpected adventure yet.

Inspired by the last novels of Philip K. Dick (VALIS, Divine Invasion), Whitehead tracks the lost, frubberized, android head of Philip K. Dick as it creates chaos across America. Weaponized and designed to disrupt the basic time sense of an adversary escapes from its handlers, and performs its own unruly mission. The head’s journey takes listeners from the suburbs of Boston to a dark cave in the Holy Land, leaving a number of dead fish and wrecked nervous systems in its wake. Written and directed by Gregory Whitehead, the play features rich soundscapes and music by Nick Zammuto and Laura Wiens.

BBC Radio 4

Rendezvous with Rama, Sunday 1st March and Sunday 8th March, 3.00-4.00pm – Mike Walker’s two-part dramatisation of Arthur C Clarke’s novel is set in the 22nd century. The crew of the space vessel Endeavour explores a mysterious object, christened Rama, which has appeared in the solar system. Starring Richard Dillane.

The Death of Grass, Woman’s Hour drama, Monday 2nd – Friday 6th March, 10.45-11.00am – Jonathan Dryden-Taylor’s dramatisation of John Christopher’s story where all the grass in the world has been attacked by a deadly virus. Narrated by David Mitchell, the drama follows the Custance family who flee to a safe haven in the Lake District and descend into barbarism as they try to escape starvation and civil war.

The State of the Art, Thursday 5th March, 2.15-3.00pm – Sir Anthony Sher stars in Paul Cornell’s dramatisation of the book by Iain M Banks where the Culture, a spacebourne utopian civilisation, encounters earth and tries to sort out the problems of the planet.
(Listen to Alex Fitch’s interview with Paul about adaptating The State of the Art, in our podcast)

Cry Babies, Monday 9th March, 2.15-3.00pm – a satire on cryogenics written by Kim Newman about the life of a boy who is periodically frozen in order to meet his parents lifestyle choices which don’t always chime with childcare. The cast stars Alex Jennings and Natasha Little.

Homesick, Wednesday 11th March, 2.15-3.00pm – written by award-winning playwright, Anita Sullivan, Mark Heap and Maxine Peake star in this story where extra terrestrial aliens get lost in someone’s ear.

Mayflies, Friday 13th March, 2.15-3.00pm – with an all star cast including Derek Jacobi and Jason Isaacs, Mike Maddox’s story sees Douglas having to make a tough decision on whether to respond to a reply from aliens that was sent to them from Earth 30-years ago.

BBC Radio 7

Blake’s 7, Saturday 28th February Ep. 1 Rebel, 9.00am/8.00pm; Ep. 2 Traitor, 10am,/9pm – A re-imaging of the classic British Sci-Fi series, starring Derek Riddell, Colin Salmon, Daniela Nardini, Craig Kelly, Carrie Dobro, Frances Barber, Michael Praed and Rula Lenska. *Concluding episode next Saturday 7th March

The Twilight Zone – The Hitch-Hiker, Saturday 28th February, 6.00pm/12.00am – modern adaptations of this classic series by World Fantasy Award-winning writer Dennis Etchison are based on the original scripts preserved in the Serling archives, as well as fresh new stories never seen or heard before. The shows are hosted by Stacy Keach and star some of today’s most remarkable actors. The Hitch-Hiker written by Rod Serling from a story by Lucille Fletch stars Kate Jackson, with Stacy Keach as the narrator.

The Drowned World by JG Ballard, starts Sunday 1st March, 6.30pm/12.30am (Episode 1 of 4) – Written in 1962, Ballard’s vision for the future now seems just around the corner. Earth is gradually drowning as global warming melts the ice-caps and primordial jungles and swamps return to a tropical London, recreating the ancient ecology of the Triassic age. These Turkish-bath surroundings trigger a psychological reaction in the remaining humans and they start to evolve and adapt to their new surroundings. Some fight these changes while others embrace them. Read by Robert Glenister and abridged and produced by Gemma Jenkins.

The Sofa Of Time, Sunday 1st – Friday 6th March, 11.30pm – this comedy series tells the epic and timeless tale of two men and their quest to find the most magical and powerful item of furniture in the universe. It is said that those who sit on the Sofa of Time can be transported anywhere and to any time. The cast stars Nick Frost, Matt King, Mark Heap, Kevin Eldon, Julia Deakin & Peter Serafinowicz. With Andrew Maxwell and Simon Pegg.

Planet B, Monday 2nd – Friday 6th March and Monday 9th – Friday 13th March, 6.00pm/12.00am – this major new series for Radio 7 written by Matthew Broughton plays out over ten episodes. When John’s girlfriend Lioba dies, he logs into her virtual world to grieve but begins to suspect she’s still alive in there. Offered the choice of committing to live there and find her, or log out and lose her, he leaps in. Little does he care that once there, these fantasy game sites where the worst of humanity is played out for pleasure, will be his reality. He will feel pain, and he might die there. The cast stars Adjoa Andoh as the Voice of Planet B, with Gunnar Cauthery as John and Donnla Hughes as Lioba. Also starring are Lizzy Watts, Chris Pavlo, Paul Rider, Malcolm Tierney, Janice Acquah, Stephen Critchlow and Inam Mirza.

Oneira, Monday 2nd – Friday 6th March, 6.30pm/12.30am – Another chance to hear this Made-for-BBC Radio 7 series. This is the story of Oneira, a young female museum attendant, and Nicholai, a 400-year-old Dutch alchemist from one of the paintings that Oneira guards. Together they set out on a quest to find the ‘Lux Ater’ and the ‘Book of Black Light’ which will explain the mysteries of universe and reveal Oneira’s destiny. Along the way they get embroiled in innumerable bizarre adventures.

Alpha, Tuesday 3rd March, 11.00am – Chilling award-winning drama from Mike Walker, this is sixty minutes for those people who ordinarily find sci-fi a turn off. It centres on a computer so powerful and all-knowing that it may be said to have an independent life of its own – despite the fact that it is a man-made creation. Starring Sarah Jane Holm and John Moffatt.

Omega, Wednesday 4th March, 11.00am – Mike Walker’s Omega is Alpha’s sister play, is a fascinating and disturbing vision of the near future, where the most human and endearing character we meet has, it transpires, no real existence at all. Starring David Calder, Penelope Wilton and Sarah Jane Holm.

2025, Thursday 5th and Friday 6th March, 11.00am – Mike Walker’s two-part serial is set in a future when lives are ruled by computers, and artificial intelligence has become a reality. Starring Alphonsia Emmanuel, Mona Hammond, Daniela Nardini and David Yip.

Down and Safe: A Celebration of Blake’s 7, Saturday 7th March, 9.00am/8.00pm – One ship, seven freedom fighters, and some tetchy computers – this is the history and rebirth of a science fiction classic presented by loyal fan, Mitch Benn. Also featuring The Syndeton Experiment, the concluding episode of the 21st Century re-imaging of Blake’s 7, Liberator, and When Vila Met Gan, the prequel to the classic series first heard on BBC Radio 7 last year.

The Twilight Zone – It’s A Good Life, Saturday 7th March, 6.00pm/12.00am – another modern adaptations from this classic series by Dennis Etchison. Anthony is a 6-year old boy from a little town who knows your every thought. Don’t be bad or he’ll wish you away into the cornfields. Written by Rod Sterling based on a story by Jerome Bixby, the cast stars Mike Starr with Stacy Keach as the narrator.

The Brightonomicon, starts Monday 8th – Friday 13th March, 6.30pm/12.30am (Episodes 1-5 of 13) – another chance to hear this dramatisation written by Robert Rankin. Hidden in the streets of Brighton there are twelve ancient constellations, like the Hangleton Hound and the Bevendean Bat. On each one hangs a tale, a tale so strange that only Hugo Rune, The Lad Himself, can get to the bottom of them. And he’d better do it quickly, because if he doesn’t solve the dozen mysteries before the year is out, that’ll be the end of the world as we know it. Starring David Warner, Michael Fenton Stevens and Johnny Daukes.

Listen to Alex Fitch’s interview with Paul Cornell about adaptating Iain M Banks’ The State of the Art for Radio 4, in our podcast