BBC Radio 4 LW

Dangerous Visions

Drama: SciFi & Fantasy

Dramas that explore contemporary takes on future dystopias.

Dramas that explore contemporary takes on future dystopias. You will be disturbed, as you see the present reflected in the glass of an uneasy future.

Dangerous Visions: The Kraken Wakes

Paul Higgins

Tamsin Greig

Richard Harrington

Sally Carman

Abdullah Afzal

Gareth Cassidy

Nicola Sturgeon

Justine Potter

Dangerous Visions: The Kraken Wakes: Episode 2

Drama

The Kraken Wakes

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - Dangerous Visions, The Kraken Wakes, Episode 2

Terrifying modern retelling by Val McDermid of John Wyndham's science fiction novel.

Lone alien attacks are replaced by global flooding. Mike and Phyllis fight to survive as much of the world is submerged and most of the global population dead or displaced.

John Wyndham's science fiction novel adapted by Val McDermid. Performed with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in a terrifying modern retelling of alien invasion and global flooding. Starring Tamsin Greig, Paul Higgins and Richard Harrington.

The floods have recently devastated parts of Britain. But what if the flood waters never subsided? What if an apparent meteor shower was actually the invasion fleet of an alien race, incubating in the ocean deeps until they were ready to begin their war of attrition against the human race? What if we were trapped on a drowning planet? 

Val McDermid is a long-time fan of Wyndham's work and retells this dramatic novel in light of contemporary fears of climate change. 

Recorded with a live orchestral accompaniment from the BBC Philharmonic. Composer Alan Edward Williams worked with Val to create a brand new 50's B movie inspired orchestral score that takes on the role of the unseen Kraken during the performance .

Episode 2:
Following the remote, far flung lone alien attacks, Europe is now under attack too. When people fight back, the sea tanks withdraw, the attacks abate and there is a silence. It is short lived. A new form of attack takes hold. The weather is changing. Banks of fog smother the world. And the sea level is rising. Rivers begin bursting their banks, tracts of the country become uninhabitable and civil society starts to break down. The lights are going out all over the world. Silence. 

Mike and Phyllis fight to survive as much of the world is submerged and most of the global population dead or displaced. 

Performed 'as live' with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Composer: Prof Alan E Williams
Conductor: Clark Rundell

Director and Producer: Justine Potter
A Savvy production for BBC Radio 4.

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A modern retelling by Val McDermid of John Wyndham's classic science fiction tale.

John Wyndham's science fiction novel adapted by Val McDermid. Performed with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in a terrifying modern retelling of alien invasion and global flooding.

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