International Playhouse -- The Dog it was that Died -- By Tom Stoppard. Rupert Purvis is a British intelligence officer undergoing “a bit of a crisis”. Having become a double agent, he has doubled and redoubled the duplicity so often that he has lost track of whether he is a traitor. Just before attempting suicide, he posts a letter revealing apparently scandalous facts about close colleagues. The inevitable investigation causes none of the ructions Purvis expects. This play has an all star cast which includes Penelope Keith and John Le Mesurier. ABC Radio National, Thursday, August 18, 2.05pm (repeat broadcast Friday 8.05pm).
That's History -- Whale Stranding at Seal Rocks -- In July 1992, 49 whales stranded on Treachery Beach near the small fishing village of Seal Rocks. Within hours, hundreds of people streamed into the area most wanting to assist the whales in whatever way they could. This program explores the experience of these volunteers and their strength of feeling towards the warm-blooded sea-going mammals. ABC Radio National, Friday, August 19, 7.10pm.
The Goons -- The Booted Gorilla -- On an expedition to Chinese East Africa, Bwana Bloodnok and Bwana Seagoon are hot on the trail of the dreaded gorilla when its footprints disappear behind a pepper bush and, in their place, impressions of hobnail boots emerge. Could it be the heat? Then suddenly, in a sleepy little English village, the local cobblers shop is put up for sale. Why are the owners, Mr Crun and Ms Bannister, anxious to emigrate to Chinese East Africa? Could it be the heat? And why does Eccles go bare-footed and the gorilla wear boots? Could it be the feet? ABC Radio National, Saturday, August 20, 12pm.
Encounter -- Is it Faithful to be Fruitful? -- As a prelude to the UN conference on population and development in Cairo in September, David Busch investigates how the world's major faiths see population control issues. How does theological principle and personal morality balance with broader ecological concerns? ABC Radio National, Sunday, August 21, 7.10pm.
The Listening Room -- Graveyard Gate -- By Robyn Ravlich. Rockwood Necropolis in western Sydney is a remarkable city of the dead. Established in 1867, it has become the largest graveyard in the southern hemisphere with over 800,000 graves and cremation niches and one million epitaphs. It reflects the change from an Anglo-Celtic population to polyethnicity and religious diversity. There are intriguing differences in burial customs and in rituals of remembrance, but all are equal in death. This program presents an acoustic impression of life among the dead, an excursion through cemetery lore and includes readings by Gosia Dobrowolska and Steve Jacobs. ABC Classic FM, Monday, August 22, 9pm.
This article was posted on the
Green Left Weekly Home
Page.
For further details regarding subscriptions and
correspondence please contact glw@greenleft.org.au
