When we talk about a drama, we usually imagine something that happens on a stage or theatre, or on the television. Actors play different characters, and the drama unfolds through their words and actions. You can also listen to a drama on the radio. Through this medium, the words and sounds have to compensate for the listener not being able to see what is happening. They have to use their imagination. Do you think it would be possible to write a drama for radio that has no words at all?
The British actor and writer, Andrew Sachs, (left) clearly thought it was and in 1978 he wrote and performed a 30-minute radio drama called The Revenge. It was the very first radio drama without words. Listeners were told before it began that there would be no dialogue. They were asked to turn up the volume of their radio; or better still, they should wear headphones.
Through a variety of different sounds like alarms ringing, heavy breathing and the sounds of someone running, of breaking glass and bath taps running, the listeners were able to put together the basic story.
- A prisoner escapes from prison;
- The man is chased by people and dogs;
- He hides by jumping into water;
- He steals clothes and a motorbike;
- He breaks into a house and waits for its owner to return;
- He drowns the owner in a bath;
- He calls the police to give himself up.
The drama was certainly enjoyed by the listeners, but many critics did not like it. “It’s a wordless sequence of noises,” said one critic. Another said, “The drama deals with the what, the where, and the how, but not the why.”
Perhaps The Revenge is not the kind of drama that you would like to listen to every day. However, it is certainly a good way to exercise your imagination.
If you would like to listen to some or all of The Revenge, you can visit the full broadcast here:
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