The writing of James Joyce is as much known for how challenging it is to decipher as for its portraits of humanity in a difficult world. Its hard enough to find audiobooks of his work (could you imagine a single-voiced reading of Ulysses?), and it seems that most audio dramatists have steered clear.

Not so for Chatterbox Audio Theater, who bring us a profoundly moving story of people reflecting on the simple challenges of life. The story, Dead and Gone, is based on James Joyce’s story of The Dead – but the setting, rather than Ireland, is the American South.

I gushed about this inspired retelling in a review a few months ago – now, enjoy the audio.

Ah, but first! A special treat – the Drabblecast audio fiction podcast reveals to us how close Santa Claus came to the edge – and who really saved Christmas.

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 154

This week we feature the conclusion to Quicksilver Radio Theater‘s adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes Tale, The Blue Carbuncle.

Last week we found a precious gem lodged in the gullet of a Christmas goose, which led Sherlock and Watson on a quest to find its owner – the goose that is, not the gem. The goose’s owner was happy with any cooked goose, making the detective duos realize they would need to hit the streets to learn the origin of this mystery foul…

Listen to the conclusion of this fun adventure, plus a bonus, the “Painful Predicament of Sherlock Holmes.”

Enjoy!

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 153

P.S. – A reminder that Audiofile Magazine and Naxos Audiobooks are still offering three free Sherlock Holmes audiobooks until December 29… So go load up your new iPod with great tales of the detective!

This week we bring back the Quicksilver Radio Theater in a most peculiar of Sherlock Holmes tales set during the Christmas season.

A fat goose, a random mugging, and a precious gem. How do all three relate, and who committed this most unusual crime?

Enjoy!

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 152

P.S. – If you enjoy tales of the great detective, Audiofile Magazine and Naxos Audiobooks have a wonderful Christmas gift for you: three free Sherlock Holmes audiobooks.

You can also see behind-the-scenes YouTube videos and hear interviews with Holmes narrators. A holiday treasure! Hopefully AudioFile continues offering these great treats throughout the new year.

Well, things didn’t go exactly how Lester predicted in the first episode of Goodbye, Cruel World but he’s made it to Santa’s candy-cane palace and now he’s ready for his assault on the fat man in red.

But, it’s not easy to sneak a fire-breathing dragon by the toy soldier guards, and how to get past the horde of drunk debaucherous elves who stand between our hero and Santa?

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 151

Lester Melrose is sick of jolly old men, gumdrops, candy canes, elves, and a thousand other delights. He wants to bring the big sick world down to its knees and is out for a guy in a red suit who stands in his way.

Aiding him in this quest is a chain-smoking unicorn and a clutzy fire-breathing animatronic dragon. Good stuff.

This is The Theater of the Midnight Sun and the tale, “Goodbye Cruel World.”

Hat trick goes to listener Martin who originally turned me on to the ‘pod and to The Sonic Society who recently featured this same show.

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 150

Well, Santa Radio was very good to us this year and stuffed my stocking with TONS of great stuff to share with you…

So break open that new mp3 player and stock it up! We have Christmas classic, Christmas irreverent, lots of voices and more than one surprise in this nearly 3-hour holiday extravaganza.

Soak it up and be Merry!

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Radio Drama Revival Christmas Special – Part 1 of 4

• Quicksilver Radio Theater’s haunting rendition of “A Christmas Carol”

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Radio Drama Revival Christmas Special – Part 2 of 4

• The Wireless Theatre Company‘s “Pig in Boots”!

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Radio Drama Revival Christmas Special – Part 3 of 4

• Interview with Regina Doman and Andrew Schmiedicke of Chesterton Productions

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Radio Drama Revival Christmas Special – Part 4 of 4

Interview with Julie Hoverson of 19 Nocturne Boulevard

Best when listened to with a crackling fire in the fireplace, wood stove, or other FDA-approved fire burning apparatus. Thanks to Kevin MacLeod for wonderful holiday music.