A Little Twist of Dahl
A series of stories by Roald Dahl
Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan.
15 Minute Drama, 24 to 29 December 2012
Charles Dance leads the cast as the urbane Storyteller in dramatisations of five classic tales by Roald Dahl. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these black comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings.
The stories show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction. They are stylishly plotted, vividly characterised and made unforgettable by their breezy cynicism, presenting as they do, a hilariously bleak view of family life. Their satisfying conclusions invariably leave bullies, schemers, adulterers and frauds soundly punished.
Produced and Directed by David Blount
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
160/44; 79 MB total; sound quality excellent
(1/5) Taste
Mon 24 Dec 2012
Whenever Mike Schofield and Richard Pratt dine together, they play a little game. If Pratt, a conceited wine buff, can identify a rare vintage in a blind tasting, he wins a case of the wine in question. When Schofield boasts that he has acquired a wine whose obscurity renders it unguessable, Pratt suggests they increase their stakes. If he fails to identify it, he forfeits both his houses but, if he succeeds, he wins the hand of Schofield's delectable daughter in marriage. Despite the girl's protests, Schofield agrees to the wager.
Storyteller ..... Charles Dance
Richard Pratt ..... Jonathan Hyde
Mike ..... Mark Heap
Margaret ..... Rachel Atkins
Louise ..... Charlie Russell
Housekeeper ..... Jean Trend
(2/5) The Way up to Heaven
Tue 25 Dec 2012
Despite living in a New York mansion so vast that it requires its own elevator, the Fosters are not a happy couple. Mrs Foster has a pathological fear of being late and her husband deliberately torments her by doing everything as slowly as he can. When she accepts an invitation to visit France, he insists on taking her to the airport only to leave her waiting outside in the car. Nearly hysterical, she goes to see what's keeping him but, when she reaches the front door, she hears a particular sound and realises, if she's cunning, she need never be late again...
Storyteller ..... Charles Dance
Mr Foster/Driver ..... Kerry Shale
Mrs Foster ..... Lorelei King
Walker ..... Richard Attlee
(3/5) The Hitchhiker
Wed 26 Dec 2012
Andrew Pym, a successful author, is driving to London in his brand new BMW. He stops to give a hitchhiker a lift. Unwisely, he allows the man to persuade him to see if the car can go as fast as its manufacturers claim. Stopped for speeding, his details are noted down by a policeman who warns him to expect a heavy fine and sends him on his way. Blithely unconcerned at causing so much trouble, the hitchhiker starts boasting that he is engaged in a line of work that requires exceptional skills. And it's these skills that can get Andrew out of his present difficulty.
Storyteller ..... Charles Dance
Andrew Pym ..... Jonathan Keeble
Hitchhiker ..... Ken Cranham
Policeman ..... Ben Crowe
(4/5) Edward the Conqueror
Thu 27 Dec 2012
Louisa, a retired piano teacher, takes in a stray cat. She is astonished at how happy it seems when she plays it some Liszt. Noticing that, like Liszt, it has warts on its face, she decides that it must be the re-incarnation of the great composer. Edward, her monstrously selfish husband, resents the cat's presence and is ruthlessly dismissive of her theories on its true identity. Unabashed, Louisa announces, to Edward's acute embarrassment, that she intends to make her findings public.
Storyteller ..... Charles Dance
Louisa ..... Celia Imrie
Edward ..... Geoffrey Whitehead
Pianist ..... Charles Ross
(5/5) Neck
Fri 28 Dec 2012
Sir Basil Turton, a wealthy newspaper magnate, has recently taken a young wife. Bossy and openly adulterous, the new Lady Turton is despised by Jelks, Sir Basil's butler, for her cruel treatment of his master. One morning she is openly frolicking with her latest lover in the grounds of the estate, when, for a joke, she sticks her head through a hole in one of Sir Basil's priceless Henry Moore sculptures. When she finds she is stuck, Sir Basil with Jelks' assistance, must decide on a course of action.
Storyteller ..... Charles Dance
Lionel Sturridge ..... Jamie Glover
Sir Basil Turton ..... Chris Emmett
Lady Turton ..... Katie Scarfe
Jelks ..... David Ryall
Major Haddock ..... Mark Heap
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Replies
Thanks Rick.
Neat stories. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed them Victor.
Thanks for this and so many others!
Thanks!
You're welcome Abby! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rick
Nothing like a R. Dahl short story...Thanks !
These not only are twisted but they have great twists. ----------------- Rick