PODCASTS/AUDIOBOOKS
Fault Lines: Money, Sex and Blood BBC Sounds, review by Yvette Huddleston
This compelling drama, inspired by 19th century French novelist Emile Zola’s RougonMacquart cycle highlights different aspects of contemporary Britain. All starring the late, great Glenda Jackson the first two series, recorded in 2020, focused on Money and Sex and the theme of the latest, recorded last year, is blood. Each season takes the format of several linked original plays by different writers. In the opening episode of the Blood series we meet Constance (Jackson) who is preparing for her 90th birthday party – something she is not keen to have but which her family insisted upon. Constance’s wry voiceover is heard throughout. Her delight at seeing her daughter-inlaw Sarah again, who she adores, ebbs as a dark story of entitlement, betrayal and murder unfolds.
The Cows are Mad BBC Sounds, review by Yvette Huddleston
Lucy Proctor investigates the BSE epidemic – dubbed ‘mad cow disease’ – that raged through British farms in the 1990s, leading to a cull of millions of cows. And then the disease began killing humans. Still today, science has not answered two significant questions about mad cow disease, namely where it originally come from and how humans became infected. In this exhaustive 10-part series Proctor delves deep into the crisis that unfolded. In the opening episode she looks at the rendering plant in the Kent countryside that in the 1980s and 90s processed tens of thousands of dead cows – some of which are thought to have been infected with BSE. When early human cases emerged among those living close to the plant, people started to ask questions.
Uncanny BBC Sounds, review by Yvette Huddleston
In this fascinating series, award-winning writer, broadcaster and journalist Danny Robins investigates real-life stories of paranormal encounters. In the latest season some celebrity guests select and introduce their favourite episodes from previous seasons. Actor and writer Reece Shearsmith chooses the story of a haunted student house in Belfast when a poltergeist called Harry is summoned by a Ouija board. Writer and actor Daisy May Cooper introduces an episode about an abandoned house in the Scottish mountains, haunted by a malevolent spirit that terrified two young climbers looking for shelter and Ghosts star Lawrence Rickard chooses the case of retired policeman Alan Godrey whose investigations into a strange murder in Todmorden, led to a bizarre UFO sighting.
Take That: This Life Global Player, review by Yvette Huddleston
In this new six-part podcast series the remaining members of Take That – Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald – celebrate the countdown to their new album This Life, with a look back over their 30-year career. They share memories, pivotal moments and also receive some surprise messages from special guests. Going right back to their early days as five youngsters performing in Manchester clubs, up to their hit albums and record-breaking tours, it is an informative journey through the band’s history. Not surprisingly, having been friends and bandmates for so long, there is a lovely easy intimacy between the three as they chat, with self-deprecating humour, about early auditions, the gigs that went well (and those that didn’t) and giving up their day jobs.