Behind The Screen is a collaborative detective serial written by members of the Detection Club. It was first broadcast in six weekly instalments on the BBC National Programme in 1930, with each contributor reading his (or her) own part of the story.
The six authors were Hugh Walpole, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Anthony Berkeley, E.C. Bentley and Father Ronald Knox.
To reflect the changes of storyteller, we have a different reader for each part of this new version: Michael Jayston, Penelope Keith, Sarah Badel, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Gunnar Cauthery and Nigel Anthony.
When first broadcast, some listeners were puzzled by the method employed in planning a collaborative detective story like Behind the Screen. If the whole thing were indeed to be written like a game of consequences, with each new writer picking up where the last one left off, how could any consistency be achieved, and how could a satisfactory plot be managed and concluded?
Lord Peter Wimsey creator, Dorothy L. Sayers, who co-ordinated the different contributions, explained the process: “The first three authors carried the story along according to their own several fancies; while the last three used their wits, in consultation, to unravel the clues presented to them by the first three.”
The Guest in the House: By Hugh Walpole. Read by Michael Jayston
Something is Missing: By Agatha Christie. Read by Penelope Keith
Out Damned Spot: By Dorothy L Sayers. Read by Sarah Badel
In the Aspidistra: By Anthony Berkeley. Read by Julian Rhind-Tutt
Amy Intervenes: By EC Bentley. Read by Gunnar Cauthery
How Dudden Died: By Fr Ronald Knox. Read by Nigel Anthony
A Pier Production for Radio 4 Extra
To learn more about The Detection Club, visit Wikipedia. I will confess I had never heard of it until now.
6 Individual Files, each 12MB. 13 minutes long. Bitrate 128kbps
Replies
Dear William,
Thanks so much for such a great offering and so historic too.
Bob
Many thanks, it's interesting seeing the differing styles. A shame it makes little sense (because of the abridgement?).
YES! The original isn't deathless prose nor is it the greatest detective fiction of the century, but it's far better than this offering.
Many thanks, William.
Although this is a valiant effort, the abridgement almost ruins the story.
After you listen to this (thanks, William!) , try to find a copy of the original works (there are three, i believe) and really enjoy the effortsd of these great writers.
Thanks!
This looks like a ton of fun! Thanks, William.
Thanks
Yippee!! Thanks, William
Thank you William! I look forward to this:)
David