Originally broadcast in September 1952, You Must Listen was written by Nigel Kneale, one of the most admired English science-fiction writers of the last century. His Quatermass trilogy continues to influence generations of admirers and filmmakers, among them Russell T Davies and John Carpenter.
Before his television career, Kneale’s radio drama paved the way for what was to come. It explores many of the same themes that he later addressed in Quatermass, The Stone Tape and The Road, of the paranormal coming into collision with modern science.
For this version, audio producers Bafflegab have returned to Kneale’s original script – fortunately kept by the late writer as no recording of the original play exists.
Here’s the premise for You Must Listen:
A solicitor’s office has a new phone line connected, but the staff keep hearing a woman’s voice on the phone. Engineer Frank Wilson is called to fix the problem, and gradually the disturbing story of the woman starts to emerge.
This modern version stars Toby Jones, Reece Shearsmith, Caroline Catz, Jessie Cave and John Scougall. Also in the cast are Jason Barnett, Jacqueline King, Dan Starkey and Becky Wright.
You’ve clearly not been listening to Radio 4 as it feels like the most hyped upcoming broadcast of theirs at the moment with Reece Shearsmith giving it a suitably chilling build-up.
The cast is top-notch and Kneale usually delivers but my only concern is that it might be a bit dated. We’ll have to see.
Yeah, I’ve only been listening to their programmes a la carte on the app recently so not a clue!
Ah yes, easy to miss then - I have it on the background so hear it a few times a day. Which is a good sign - they clearly think they are on to a winner here.