Shakespeare was an excellent radio dramatist, despite living and working 300 years before the invention of wireless communication.

In theatres with no scenery and poor sight lines, Shakespeare was a master at painting pictures through the power of words, making his writing perfect for radio.

So began this fascinating and humorous reflection from award-winning radio drama producer, David Blount.

Blount has spent his life producing dramas for BBC radio stations and his expert knowledge and fondness for the subject made for an entertaining and enlightening evening.

His presentation was packed with facts, theories and ironic jokes about the commissioning process at the BBC. Budgets and schedules are tight but happily radio drama is still going strong in Britain, thanks to the BBC’s not-for-profit policy and a deep pool of talent.

Blount played extracts of radio plays to illustrate his points; such as the importance of a good opening or the role of music in setting a scene and his confident, no-nonsense delivery was a pleasure to listen to.

This was a fun lecture on the history and techniques of radio drama, punctuated with personal anecdotes, perfectly edited into a crisp one hour package. Well worth tuning in for.