The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Original version

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Drama: SciFi & Fantasy

Comedy

Douglas Adams' sci-fi comedy following the misadventures of hapless human Arthur Dent.

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William Franklyn

Roger Gregg

Richard Griffiths

Dominic Hawksley

Simon Jones

Geoffrey McGivern

Philip Pope

Michael Fenton Stevens

Mark Wing-Davey

Henry Blofeld

Fred Trueman

Douglas Adams

Dirk Maggs

Paul Wickens

Helen Chattwell

Bruce Hyman

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Tertiary Phase: Fit The Fifteenth

Fit The Fifteenth

The Tertiary Phase

BBC Radio 4 - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Tertiary Phase, Fit The Fifteenth

Slartibartfast informs Arthur and Ford about the true purpose of the Krikkit robots.

Slartibartfast informs Arthur and Ford about the true purpose of the homicidal Krikkit robots. Starring Simon Jones. From October 2004.

Slartibartfast provides a rather startling Informational Illusion to give Arthur and Ford the history of the Krikkit Wars, an intergalactic conflict of billions of years ago, where a seemingly innocuous and pleasant race of hominids journeyed beyond the black and opaque dust cloud surrounding their solitary planet with its solitary star and were appalled to discover they were not alone in the universe but surrounded by many other planets teeming with life. 

The Krikkitmen built lethal white robots wielding war clubs which were used to propel small red grenades over vast distances, to destroy everything in their path - in fact, to kill everything everywhere but their masters. Eventually defeated, the People of Krikkit (along with robots and family pets) are sentenced to have their solar system with its Dust Cloud sealed in a Slo-Time envelope, locked by The Wikkit Gate, upon an asteroid which orbits it. 

When all of Creation has become extinct the gate will automatically open, allowing them to finish their existence in a dying universe, alone at last as they have so craved. Unfortunately eleven Krikkit Robots were unaccounted for at the time the punishment was carried out, and these unpleasant machines are now re-uniting the disparate elements of The Key to that Wikkit Gate. Having collected the Wooden Pillar (The Ashes, now reconstituted into a Cricket stump), The Steel Pillar (The Artificial Leg Marvin was fitted with by a kindly scrap collector), they now board the Heart of Gold to steal the Gold Bail (the driving force behind its legendary Improbability Drive). 

Bad as this might be, worse is to come when the robots are caught in the act by Zaphod Beeblebrox, who discovers they are about to go to a Party, but not intending to take him with them. In fact they add injury to insult and shoot him instead. Attempting to reach the same party Arthur, Ford and Slartibartfast use the - surprisingly clean - toilet transportation cubicles of the Starship Bistromath. But something goes wrong and Arthur finds himself diverted to a labyrinth wherein dwells a creature who appears to nurse a very deep and ancient grudge against him..." 

The Book …. William Franklyn
 Arthur Dent …. Simon Jones
Ford Prefect …. Geoff McGivern
Marvin …. Stephen Moore
Trillian ….  Susan Sheridan
Zaphod Beeblebrox …. Mark Wing-Davey
 Slartibartfast …. Richard Griffiths
Robot Waiter ….  Roger Gregg 
 Zem …. Andy Taylor
 Judiciary Pag …. Rupert Degas
 Wikkit Voice …. Dominic Hawksley
 First Krikkit Man …. Philip Pope
Second Krikkit Man ….  Michael Fenton Stevens
 Henry Blofeld as Himself
Fred Trueman as Himself

Written by  Douglas Adams
Music by Philip Pope and Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens
Adapted and Directed by  Dirk Maggs
Producers:  Helen Chattwell and Bruce Hyman

An Above the Title production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in October 2004.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Tertiary Phase

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Cult sci-fi comedy based on Douglas Adams's book, Life, the Universe and Everything.

Third series of the cult science fiction comedy, based on Douglas Adams's book, Life, the Universe and Everything.

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