Audio Drama: 10 Captivating Plays for Radio and Podcast

Audio drama has long been a cherished form of storytelling, captivating audiences with its engaging narratives and immersive soundscapes. With the rise of podcasting, audio drama has undergone a renaissance, providing a diverse range of captivating plays for listeners to enjoy. Whether you're a radio enthusiast or an avid podcast consumer, we've compiled a list of 10 exceptional audio drama plays that are sure to transport you to another world.

1. "Welcome to Night Vale"

Step into the mysterious and surreal town of Night Vale, where strange occurrences happen on a daily basis. "Welcome to Night Vale" combines elements of horror, comedy, and drama, creating a unique listening experience that has gained a massive following.

Audio Drama: 10 Plays for Radio and Podcast

by Neville Teller (Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

FREE

2. "The Bright Sessions"

Enter the world of therapy sessions with extraordinary individuals. "The Bright Sessions" follows the lives of patients with supernatural abilities as they navigate their abilities and personal struggles. This captivating audio drama provides a fresh take on the superhero genre.

3. "Wooden Overcoats"

Set in the peculiar town of Piffling Vale, "Wooden Overcoats" tells the hilarious and often bizarre story of two rival funeral directors. This British comedic audio drama is packed with witty dialogue and eccentric characters, making it a must-listen for comedy lovers.

4. "Limetown"

"Limetown" is a gripping investigative fiction series that delves into the mystery of a small town where all its residents vanished without a trace. Follow journalist Lia Haddock as she uncovers the truth behind the disappearance and the clandestine government experiments that led to it.

5. "The Bright Eyes Podcast"

Discover the world of the supernatural with "The Bright Eyes Podcast." This audio drama combines eerie tales with insightful discussions, providing a unique and immersive audio experience for fans of horror and the paranormal.

6. "The Black Tapes"

Take a deep dive into the world of the supernatural and the unexplained with "The Black Tapes." Hosted by journalist Alex Reagan, this audio drama explores the unsolved cases of paranormal investigator Dr. Richard Strand and his mysterious collection of black VHS tapes.

7. "Victoriocity"

Transport yourself back to a steampunk Victorian London with "Victoriocity." Follow Detective Inspector Archibald Fleet and journalist Clara Entwhistle as they solve mysteries amidst airships, clockwork couriers, and uncanny creatures.

8. "The Amelia Project"

Ever wished for a way to disappear and start over? "The Amelia Project" brings this fantasy to life as the titular organization helps client after client fake their deaths and create new identities. This dark comedy audio drama delivers clever and suspenseful stories.

9. "The Magnus Archives"

Delve into the archives of the Magnus Institute as archivist Jonathan Sims narrates accounts of supernatural encounters. "The Magnus Archives" weaves a complex web of horror, mystery, and suspense, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats with each episode.

10. "Wolf 359"

Follow the misadventures of the crew aboard the U.S.S. Hephaestus on their deep space outpost, Wolf 359. "Wolf 359" combines elements of comedy, drama, and science fiction, creating a gripping and often emotional narrative that explores the depths of human relationships.

With a variety of genres and captivating storylines, these 10 audio drama plays are just a starting point for exploring the vast world of radio and podcast storytelling. So put on your headphones, close your eyes, and let these immersive audio experiences transport you to extraordinary realms.

Audio Drama: 10 Plays for Radio and Podcast

by Neville Teller (Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

FREE

Audio Drama is unique. There’s no other book like it. First it’s aimed at the vast audience for audio drama, whether in the form of traditional radio plays or as podcasts. For them, Audio Drama provides the opportunity to see how ten literary classics were dramatised for radio, and to recreate the performances for themselves as they read.

Secondly, it’s for all those podcast producers who are keen to exercise their imagination and technical skills by producing audio drama for their followers. These ten scripts provide the raw material from which podcasters can craft their own drama productions. The works on which they are based are literary classics and are in the public domain. The audio dramatisations – all of which have been, or are about to be, produced and broadcast either by the BBC or across the USA – are offered to the global community of podcasters with no strings attached.

An experienced dramatist and abridger, with more than 50 BBC radio dramatisations under his belt, Neville Teller not only presents 10 of his scripts, but also explains something of how a radio drama script is crafted. Audio Drama fills a niche that will appeal on both sides of the pond, and more widely in the whole English-speaking world.