BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st to 8th July 2019
John Wyndham's classic post-apocalyptic tale of murderous plants following a devastating meteor shower.
First published in 1951, John Wyndham's classic sci-fi novel dramatised in six parts by Giles Cooper.
This compelling tale has been made into a film, two television series and three radio versions.
Music composed by David Cain.
Producer: John Powell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June/July 1968.
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 1. THE END BEGINS (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st July 2019
It all begins with the end - the end of the world - almost.
It happens during a night of brilliant green flashes - meteors? Perhaps - or satellite weapons. Who can say?
Survivor, Bill Masen recalls how the world was plunged into darkness with the dawning monstrous horror of ambulant plant life...
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
Freda Dowie … Elspeth
Barbara Shelley … Josella
Garard Green … Umberto Palanguez
Ralph Truman … Managing Director
Michael Deacon … Young Bill
Peter Pratt … Mr. Masen
Peter Baldwin … Walter Lucknor
Jan Edwards … Nurse
Rolf Lefebvre … House Surgeon
Haydn Jones … Publican
John Pullen … Radio Commentator
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 2. A LIGHT IN THE NIGHT (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 2nd July 2019
'London was a city of the blind, the capital of a blind country in a blind world.'
Bill Masen finds a new companion, but can they survive the chaos of their surroundings?
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley … Josella Playton
John Wyse … Blind Man
John Pullen … Radio Commentator
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 3. CONFERENCE AND CONFUSION (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 3rd July 2019
'There's a light... someone's trying to get the sighted people together - we're not alone!'
Bill and Josella join an army-led group, but their plans for a new community falter...
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley … Josella Playton
Anthony Viccars … Colonel Jaques
Peter Sallis … Coker
Freda Dowie … Elspeth
Victor Lucas … Doctor Varless
Michael McClain … Michael Beadley
Nigel Graham … Ivan Simpson
Marjorie Westbury … Miss Barr
Michael Deacon … Mac
Jan Edwards … Lucy
James McManus … Alf
Hilda Kriseman … Child
Anthony Jackson … Other
Pauline Letts … Other
Christopher Bidmead … Other
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 4. DEAD END (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 4th July 2019
'How am I supposed to find supplies like this - chained to a lot of blind men?'
Bill is forced to help a group of blind survivors. Will he ever find Josella, again?
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
James McManus … Alf
Michael Deacon … Mac
Jan Edwards … Lucy
Peter Sallis … Coker
Hilda Kriseman … Miss Durrant
John Pullen … Stephen Brennell
Wilfred Carter … Sid
Rosalind Shanks … Vera
Ann Murray … Woman
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 5. WORLD NARROWING (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 5th July 2019
'The utter loneliness was beginning to get on my nerves.'
Killer plants are on the rampage across the countryside. Bill sets-off in search of Josella but finds a new companion...
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley … Josella Playton
Jill Cary … Susan
Freda Dowie … Mary
David Brierley … Dennis
Margaret Robertson … Joyce
JOHN WYNDHAM - THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 6. STRATEGIC WITHDRAWL (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 8th July 2019
Bill and Josella are offered hope, but yet another obstacle is put in their way...
Gary Watson … Bill Masen
Barbara Shelley … Josella Playton
Freda Dowie … Elspeth
Haydn Jones … Torrance
Nigel Graham … Ivan
David Brierley … Dennis
Margaret Robertson … Joyce
Jill Cary … Susan
Alexander John … First man
Leonard Fenton … Second Man
