BBC Radio 4 Extra

In the Lumber Room With Saki

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HH Munro - Five Tales By Saki

BBC Radio 4 Extra - In the Lumber Room With Saki

A celebration of the dark short stories of 'Saki', the British writer killed at the Somme.

Made for 4 Extra. A celebration of the dark, satirical stories by 'Saki', who died in 2016, with undertones of malice and overtones of wit.

In 1916 on the battlefield of the Somme, a German sniper brought to an end the life of perhaps Britain's greatest short-story writer.

Hector Hugh Munro was a political sketch-writer, foreign correspondent, historian and novelist. But he is best known under the pen name Saki for his short story writing.

Saki's dark and twisted tales make delicious radio drama. Many of them centre on childish mischief, small acts of rebellion against pretentious or overbearing authority figures, and supernatural beasts.

The stories draw on the author's upbringing in North Devon, where Saki was raised by his aunts and grandmother.

Shaun Ley, who also grew up in Devon, returns to Saki's childhood home to explore the environment that made the author.

In this three-hour programme, Shaun brings together a series of adaptations, including The Lumber Room, The Toys of Peace, The She-Wolf, The Schartz-Metterklume Method, Mrs Packeltide's Tiger, The Open Window and Sredni Vashtar.

Contributors include: Sir Richard Eyre, Will Self and Dr Sandie Byrne.

Producer: Adam Bowen

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