Halloween on BBC Radio 2016

Many if not most fans of audio drama have a soft spot for the spooky, scary, unsettling and downright ghoulish.  For the past eight years, I’ve looked forward to the Halloween-themed audio drama that can be found high and low, on the Internet and on analogue radio.  This year on the BBC is a bit anemic, but there are some things to look out for on the schedule

Wednesday 26 October

On Radio 4 Extra the three-part dramatization of The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham begins at 6 pm. 

Thursday 27 October

Radio 4 is giving the holiday short shrift but does its bit with the Book at Bedtime at 10:45 pm, Fright Night Shorts – The Mirror by Kate Mosse.

Friday 28 October

Radio 4 continues with the readings, with The Rat King by John Connolly.

Saturday 29 October

You’re in for a treat.  On Radio 4 Extra, Andrew Maxwell’s Halloween Hoolie is a nonfiction cultural history at noon, with the eminent MR James the subject of a drama, The Hex, at 6 pm.  Radio 4 gets into the act with a reading of Rosemary’s Baby at 10 pm.

Sunday 30 October

On Radio 4, the Food Programme talks about pumpkins and squash.  Things are decisively scarier on Radio 4 Extra with a repeat of last year’s The Stone Tape at midnight (listen if you dare) and the excellent dramatization of JS LeFanu’s Carmilla at 6 pm followed by something by Moy McCrory entitled All Hallows. 

Monday 31 October

On the day itself, Radio 4 Extra gives us a repeat of last year’s Ring at midnight and a nonfiction program, Vampires v Zombies! at 6:30 am. 

I’ve also noticed the following seasonal dramas on iPlayer Radio:

Drama on 3 – Mary Rose

A series of Edinburgh Haunts, newly-produced stories set in Edinburgh

Dark by the talented Victor Pemberton (from 1978)

Drama on 3 – Vampyre Man about Henry Irving, the apparent inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Possibly some others I’ve missed.

Enjoy!