Listen to podcasts of our radio plays. Individual scripts are also available to follow the text of the radio plays, or for use by community groups to present their own play-readings. If using these plays, please recognise that the copyright is held by the authors listed, and make proper acknowledgement of the source of the play.
If you want to simultaneously hear the radio play and read the script at the same time, then follow these steps: With both desktop PCs and Macs, hold down the SHIFT key on your keyboard, and click the audio arrow and then the DOWNLOAD button for the written script.
There are now nine radio plays published since 2020 on this page.
Eight earlier radio plays mostly published in 2018 and 2019 can be found on the World War I and II page.
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Mother Knows Best
A Radio Play – Comedy
by Andy Payne
THE CHARACTERS:
| DAMIEN | 50ish. Angela’s irritating husband |
| ANGELA | Late 40s. Conventional and easily offended |
| DOROTHY | Angela’s fun loving widowed mother |
| GRIFFIN | Ageing motorcyclist, fun loving and irreverent |
SYNOPSIS:
An 80 year old mother goes to extraordinary lengths to persuade her daughter to leave home so that she can reclaim her house as a sanctuary for her and her new partner.
THE CAST:
| DAMIEN | Steve Morris |
| ANGELA | Georgy Charles |
| DOROTHY | Juliet Charles |
| GRIFFIN | Eric Heyes |
PRODUCTION TEAM:
| TECHNICAL PRODUCER | Raymond Simms |
| DIRECTOR | Cheryl Threadgold |
To read the radio-play script, please click the DOWNLOAD button below:
To listen to an audio file of this play, click on the arrow below on the left:
© Andy Payne, 2024
published 29 January 2024
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Closer to Home
A Radio Play – Romantic Comedy
by Margaret Boyes-Pringle
THE CHARACTERS:
| WARREN ANSTEY | 61. Attractive, witty, recently divorced so has a few issues as he searches for love again. |
| JAN ROBSON | 63. An old friend of Warren’s. Kind, loving, practical. They’ve been friends since uni; had a couple of dates but nothing came of it. |
| MISHA VARMA | Jan’s best friend. Knows Jan too well as good friends are wont to do. |
| CHARLES EASTMAN | Warren’s father’s friend who’s always been more like a father to Warren. In his late 80s mentally alert and takes a keen interest in his ‘boy’. |
SYNOPSIS:
Warren has joined a dating agency to find love again in his later years. His friend, Jan, tries to help him prepare but his post-divorce issues get in the way. But is it Jan he really loves?
THE CAST:
| WARREN ANSTEY | Eric Heyes |
| JAN ROBSON | Juliet Charles |
| MISHA VARMA | Margaret Boyes-Pringle |
| CHARLES EASTMAN | Steve Morris |
PRODUCTION TEAM:
| TECHNICAL PRODUCER | Raymond Simms |
| DIRECTOR | Cheryl Threadgold |
To read the radio-play script, please click the DOWNLOAD button below
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To listen to an audio file of this play, click on the arrow below on the left:
© Margaret Boyes-Pringle, 2024
published 29 January 2024
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The Old Van
A Radio Play – Drama
by Helen Graham
The Characters
| BERNADETTE | In early 70s, has been in a relationship with Jack for five years. Loves Jack’s money and position possibly more than she loves Jack. |
| JACK | Mid to late 70s, wealthy retiree and owner of a holiday house at Lorne, Victoria. Served in Vietnam with Paul. |
| PAUL | Mid to late 70s. Jack’s friend, who comes from a long line of distinguished military officers, currently residing in the old caravan, parked in the carport under Jack’s house. |
| VERNA | Bernadette’s inquisitive long-time friend, whom Jack dislikes. Widowed when her husband, Joe, died of a heart attack after discovering he had been scammed out of all his retirement investments. |
Synopsis:
A pleasant weekend at the coastal town of Lorne with special friends takes an unexpected turn, with long time secrets revealed.
THE Cast:
| BERNADETTE | Lana Stojanovic |
| JACK | Colin Prossor |
| PAUL | Michael Young |
| VERNA | Georgy Charles |
THE PRODUCTION TEAM:
| Raymond Simms | Technical Producer |
| Cheryl Threadgold | Director |
To read the radio play script, please click DOWNLOAD below:
To listen to an audio file of this play, click on the arrow below on the left:
© Helen Graham, 2023
published 24 June 2023
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Christmas with the Quirkes and Burkes
A Radio Play – Comedy
by Jan Storey and Joy Meekings
THE CHARACTERS:
| JAMES QUIRKE | Aged 45, husband of Sue and younger brother of Kathy Burke |
| SUE | Sue & James spoilt 16-year-old daughter |
| TARA | Sue & James spoilt 16-year-old daughter |
| KATHY BURKE | James’ older sister, aged 48 |
| MATT | Kathy’s son aged 21 |
| BRETT | Kathy’s son aged 16 |
| ANGIE | Matt’s sophisticated girlfriend, aged 29 |
Synopsis
The Quirke and Burke families are gathering for their annual family Christmas lunch. If past history is any indication the event will end badly. Will this Christmas be any different? Can they resist the temptation to bicker and be pleasant to each other instead?
CAST:
| JAMES QUIRKE | Steve Morris |
| SUE | Georgy Charles |
| TARA | Cassidy Jackson |
| KATHY BURKE | Lana Stojanovic |
| MATT | Alex Ashcroft |
| BRETT | James Wills |
| ANGIE | Stephanie Poon |
To read the radio play script, please click DOWNLOAD below:
To listen to an audio file of this play, click on the arrow below on the left:
©Jan Storey and Joy Meekings, 2019
published 22 June 2020
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Derek’s Dilemma
A comedy by Joy Meekings
SYNOPSIS
Derek’s Mother has gambled away their house and money. Is robbing a Bank the only
way forward? Will his neighbour Mrs Hopkins save the day, or will her rather raunchy
revelations come too late?
CAST:
DEREK Michael Young
MRS HOPKINS Julie Reichstein
POLICEMAN Martin Playne
BANK TELLER Robyn Morris
CUSTOMERS Martin Curtis and Steve Morris
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Technical Director: Raymond Simms
Director: Cheryl Threadgold
To read the radio play script, please click DOWNLOAD below:
To listen to an audio file of this play, click on the arrow below on the left:
©Joy Meekings, 2016
published 24 June 2020
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Gloria Gadfly and the Fashion Fillies
A satirical radio play by Jan Storey
Synopsis
Former Melbourne gossip columnist, Gloria Gadfly, is planning a fashion contest as part of the Fish Bay Spring Racing Carnival. With Gloria in charge of the fashion fillies and professional photographer, Nigel Boston, taking the shots, nothing could possibly go wrong – could it?
CHARACTERS:
| GLORIA GADFLY | A former gossip columnist with a posh Toorak- type voice, aged early forties, who has left Melbourne for Fish Bay |
| NIGEL BOSTON | A photographer with a camp voice, who specialises in shots for newspaper gossip columns. Worked with Gloria till she moved |
| JODIE BULLMORE | The owner of the Fish Bay beauty salon, with a strine voice, aged mid-forties, and mother of Amber |
| AMBER BULLMORE | Entrant in fashion contest aged about 17 with a common, uneducated voice. Daughter of Jodie Bullmore |
| KYLIE GROSSMAN | Entrant in fashion contest aged about 17, with a common, uneducated voice |
| SERGEANT BLEWITT | Male police sergeant, aged about fifty, who investigates the theft of expensive designer clothes |
CAST:
GLORIA GADFLY Rita Duval
NIGEL BOSTON/SERGEANT BLEWITT Kevin Custerson
JODIE BULLMORE Cheryl Threadgold
AMBER BULLMORE Jodie Mitchell
KYLIE GROSSMORE Rebecca Bull
PRODUCER Terri Adams
TECHNICAL PRODUCER Raymond Simms
DIRECTOR Cheryl Threadgold
To read the radio play script, please click DOWNLOAD below:
To listen to an audio file of this play, please click on the arrow on the left below:
©Jan Storey, 2020
published 24 June 2020
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Not For Sale
A radio play by Norah Dempster
SYNOPSIS: An elderly woman living in her old family suburban home is being strongly pressured to sell by the local real estate agent. After a distressing incident she finally gives in but not everything turns out as expected.
CHARACTERS in Order of Appearance:
Margy Jones: A widow, 81 years, loves her home and garden and has lived in the same suburb for many years. Kind to everyone.
Bill Docherty: A widower, 83 years, and Margy’s long time neighbour. Loud and cheerful and likes his own jokes. Protective of Margy.
Mrs Lipton: Neighbour, 60 years, lives on the other side of Margy. Likes to speak in a posh voice. Nosy and critical.
Mr Sharples: Local real estate agent. Eager and pushy.
First School boy: 13 years. Polite and responsible.
Second schoolboy: 13 years. Noisy and rude.
Tradesman: 40 years. Builds and repairs fences. Worried, concerned and dignified.
CAST:
MARGY JONES: Terri Adams
BILL DOCHERTY: Kevin Custerson
MRS LIPTON: Barbara Mendleson
MR SHARPLES: Peter Lucas
SCHOOLBOY 1: Oliver Davys
SCHOOLBOY 2: Andre Burford
TRADESMAN: Alex Ashcroft
PRODUCTION TEAM:
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Raymond Simms
DIRECTOR: Cheryl Threadgold
To read the radio play script, please click DOWNLOAD below:
To listen to an audio file of this play, please click on the arrow below on the left:
©Norah Dempster, 2019
published 24 June 2020
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Dated Lives
A Radio Play by Colleen Dewis
THE CHARACTERS:
JULIE: A banker age 42 years.
AMANDA: An arts administrator age 42 years.
PENNY: University lecturer age 42 years.
GAIL: I.T. engineer age 42 years.
SYNOPSIS:
Four women who attend a class reunion find their personal lives have run almost parallel. They are divorced with no children and have been seeking “Mr. Right” via internet dating sites. They decide to meet again and exchange dating stories. Are women who grew up in the 1970’s cursed or merely products of their time … the age of choice? Will they find the answer together?
CAST:
JULIE (Banker) Terri Adams
AMANDA (Arts Administrator) Cheryl Threadgold
PENNY (University Lecturer) Geraldine Colson
GAIL (I.T. Engineer) Norah Kaplan
PRODUCTION TEAM:
PRODUCER: Terri Adams
TECHNICAL PRODUCER: Raymond Simms
DIRECTOR: Cheryl Threadgold
To read the radio play script, please click DOWNLOAD below:
To listen to an audio file of this play, please click on the arrow below on the left:
© Colleen Dewis 2015
published 25 June 2020
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Thirteenth Night
by Juliet Charles
THE CHARACTERS
| DONALD | Director | English or cultured Australian accent; smooth and sleazy; 45y |
| KATIE | Prima Donna’ | Experienced actress; bitchy and intolerant; 45y |
| GLORIA | Stage Manager | Keen and stage-struck; 36y |
| SIMONE | Ingenue’ | Pretty and vacuous; 20y |
| CRAIG | Actor | Brilliant cartoonist and poor actor; speaks with a slight lisp; 22y |
| DI | Kitchen Queen’ | Bossy, self-important; 49y |
| REV. NIGEL | Vicar | Fussy and old-fashioned, but with a sense of humour; 53y |
SYNOPSIS:
The time is the early 1980s. At the community hall of the local parish, the cast of a theatre company are gathered to rehearse their latest endeavour.
CAST:
DONALD Alex Ashcroft
KATIE Georgy Charles
GLORIA Juliet Charles
SIMONE Stephanie Poon
CRAIG Peter Lucas
DI Barbara Mendleson
REVEREND NIGEL Kevin Custerson
PRODUCTION TEAM:
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Raymond Simms
DIRECTOR Cheryl Threadgold
To read the radio play script, please click DOWNLOAD below:
To listen to an audio file of this play, please click on the arrow below on the left:
©Juliet Charles, 2020
published 25 June 2020
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The Bayside U3A Writers 