Classic Radio SCI-FI: Childhood's End

Adaptations are just that, new versions of the original concept. as such, don't expect a word for word version of the brilliant novel. That said, this is an excellent dramatisation and well worth getting hold of (especially as my taped copy got chewed recently!). The casting is very good, particularly Steven Pacey and Peter Jeffery and the essential tragedy of the story is well played. There are some nice touches in terms of the depiction of the Overlords and the sound effects are on the whole of a high standard.

The central dramatic device of flashback works surprisingly well given that you begin with the end of the world! There are a few duff notes, the women seem to all have the indistinguishable 'BBC voice' and their characters are poorly sketched in places, some of the outrageous accents early on are so clearly 'other members of the cast' that it is hard not to be distracted. But these are minor quibbles with what is a very entertaining piece of radio drama. The use of… more »

Adaptations are just that, new versions of the original concept. as such, don't expect a word for word version of the brilliant novel. That said, this is an excellent dramatisation and well worth getting hold of (especially as my taped copy got chewed recently!). The casting is very good, particularly Steven Pacey and Peter Jeffery and the essential tragedy of the story is well played. There are some nice touches in terms of the depiction of the Overlords and the sound effects are on the whole of a high standard.

The central dramatic device of flashback works surprisingly well given that you begin with the end of the world! There are a few duff notes, the women seem to all have the indistinguishable 'BBC voice' and their characters are poorly sketched in places, some of the outrageous accents early on are so clearly 'other members of the cast' that it is hard not to be distracted. But these are minor quibbles with what is a very entertaining piece of radio drama. The use of 'Four Last Songs' by R. Strauss is a nice touch and the speech translation of the Overlords works well.

Turn off the lights, sit back and enjoy!