The le Carré Cast

A podcast on the world of John le Carré

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The BBC George Smiley Radio Dramas with Mac Rogers

This episode I am pleased to welcome Mac Rogers, playwright and audio dramatist to discuss the BBC George Smiley radio dramas.

In this first part we talk about Mac’s journey to writing for audio, reading le Carré and listening to the audio drams. Plus we dive into aspects of the audio format and the first two Smiley adaptations.

Plus, we touch on Doctor Who, love of Simon Russell Beale, UK and US differences regarding audio and the masterstroke that adapters Robert Forrest and Shaun McKenna came up with for the Smiley audio dramas.

All that and more in this episode.

Mac’s website – https://www.macrogers.org/

Mac’s Twitter – https://twitter.com/macwrites

Gideon Media, the audio production company Mac is a part of – https://www.gideon-media.com/

Life/After – https://www.goldhawkproductions.com/lifeafter

The movie First Time Caller – https://tubitv.com/movies/100014730/first-time-caller

The George Smiley Audio Dramas on the BBC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/smiley-season/

On Audible – https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Complete-George-Smiley-Radio-Dramas-Audiobook/B01DE1KAYC

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

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2 responses to “The BBC George Smiley Radio Dramas with Mac Rogers”

  1. Colin Greenland Avatar
    Colin Greenland

    So pleased to hear I’m not the only person for whom Simon Russell Beale’s is the definitive performance of George Smiley.

    I was happy with Gary Oldman while feeling, with Phil Tinline and Bernard Hughes, that that film took place in an imaginary world crucially unlike the original book. Alec Guinness I’m afraid I found rather too patrician. Russell Beale has all the vulnerability, hesitant warmth and moral anguish that Le Carré originally gave his character.

    I’m engrossed in this podcast now I’ve found it. Thank you so much, Jeff.

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    1. Jeff Avatar
      Jeff

      So glad that you’ve enjoyed the podcast. It’s a passion project and while fun, also a chunk of work, so it’s always great to hear folks enjoy it. Lots of fun shows already and I’ve got some fun ones on tap so lots of good listening. Was very happy to get Shaun McKenna to chat about writing the for the BBC radio series.

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