First off, thanks so much for the feedback!  We’re part of the way through writing Season Three, so hearing what worked for people (and what didn’t) is really useful.

A few points of response:

1: As for our “audio drama influences”—you’re dead on, we don’t have many.  We come primarily from the Chicago theatre and improvisation scenes–and while a few of have some audio drama background, it isn’t something we’ve had a chance to delve into all that much!  I guess you could say we came to the art form more because it seemed like the best way to tell the story, rather than because we’ve been lifelong fans.  We’ve been having fun exploring, though—it’s been neat to discover a whole new world of art through the web!

2: Narrators.  Ah, Narrators.  A fickle mistress to be sure.  Is it just that we love the dulcet sounds of our Narrator’s voice?  Almost certainly!  We do let him ramble on sometimes, especially in the first season.  We’ve curtailed him a bit in season two—and we’d love to know if you feel similarly about him there.  I also wonder if it has to do with the format in which you are listening: when originally released, these episodes were consumed one at a time, with the Narrator primarily book-ending the scenes—when they are lined up, it might seem like the narrator’s passages are artificially long.

In all seriousness though, thank you so much for taking the time to listen to our work and give us your thoughts—and if you have any particular favorite Audio drama productions you think we should check out, we’d love to give them a listen!  Always good to hear new things.  We’d also love to know if you have a similar experience with Season Two of Our Fair City (episodes are all up for free on ourfaircity.com).

Best,

J. Nils Gardner
co-Creator/Director
Our Fair City

Thanks for the feedback, I’ll share with the creators and maybe they can give you their own response.
For me, the goal always on this show is to showcase a diversity of work from both seasoned producers and new troupes which show promise. I was impressed with the sheer scale which these folks are taking on a brand new venture and to some extent learning the form along the way – Season 2 for instance is more technically polished than the first.
By all means if you don’t care for it there are other shows out there and more coming to RDR. But I encourage listeners to give Our Fair City a listen and see what you think for yourself!
- Fred
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Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

- Fred

Thanks so much for your thoughtful response and feedback on this episode. We always try to feature a diverse array of viewpoints on the show and at time controversial ones. As an American listener I did not find the show offensive but I appreciate your concern; I would love if you could provide specific thoughtful critiques to explain what you mean by ‘pack of lies’ – I sincerely would like to hear what you found concerning, and by all means, if there is an Israel-oriented radio drama out there that showcases this subject matter from an alternative perspective, we would love to air it.
TO BE CLEAR: Radio Drama Revival is not a political show, we are a show about stories. If you don’t like what you hear, tune in next week for something different. And if you have a different viewpoint that you think needs to be shared, let us know and we will share it.
Best regards,
Fred

But

This time I listened amazed to the cynical anti israeli propaganda. The memory of this lovely young man is being used to spread hatred and lies on my country

To the listeners of this podcast I suggest to skip this pack of lies and hope for better days

Yes, the NPR Audio *drama* of Star Wars was/is fantastic – I was curious whether any of the current audiobook titles compare… it sounds like – ehhh maybe not. While we’ve never talked about it much on the show, that era of NPR produced radio drama is perhaps my favorite moment in the whole history of audio theater – lots of interesting things were happening with new production techniques that weren’t available in the golden age. Folks like Tom Lopez, Yuri Rasovsky were appearing, the BBC was making their way and there was NPR! Ahhh, but we have a different and very uniquely interesting revival happening now

- Fred

Any of the NPR Star Wars are fantastic, and recommended.  Any of the later Star Wars material (audiobooks) that I’ve heard, however, are horrible.  SFX can’t make up for horrible reader cadence and poor direction.

Thanks for sharing! I haven’t heard any of the Star Trek/Star Wars audiobooks. How do the SFX/multivoice performances sound? Does it work for you as a listener?

- Fred

- Fred

- Fred

- Fred

Regardless of whether we agree that it is the appropriate role of government or not, the availability of funds for radio drama meant there was more radio drama being created. This, I am saddened to see go away. But I agree that it may not be the best model, or right model at all.

- Fred

I’m not necessarily convinced that taxpayer funding to NPR is the right solution, my main argument is that there is an important place for audio arts in America that has been overlooked by both the commercial system and taxpayer funded system.  In commercial radio it has always been about listeners and cost – most listeners possible, least cost possible, which invariable leads to the hit radio stations we have today, shock jocks, and other bottom of the barrel content (plus radio that sound homogenous from coast-to-coast).

Art by its nature does not appeal to everyone, but it is important.  If we don’t believe in paying it from taxpayer money, how do we create the structures for successful private funding?  I’d be happy to debate what is the better way.