How to Build a DJ

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Drama on 4

Drama

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Drama on 4: How to Build a DJ

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, How to Build a DJ

Fun new drama of a wannabe teenage DJ as he navigates friendships, grief and fame.

Fun new drama of a wannabe teenage DJ navigating friendships, grief and fame. Written by Michael Southan, who makes his BBC Radio 4 debut.

Michael Southan’s BBC Radio 4 drama debut is focusses on Ben, a disabled 18 year old who is striving to follow his grandad and become a DJ. But his mum, Gwen, has other ideas. She is struggling with grief as she tries to save the local community centre from council closure. 

Ben and his best mate Seema have an idea to help Gwen and the community centre but when Tamsin, a new talent producer, arrives can friendship and promises be kept? 

A fun light new drama with some great music.

Starring Callum Mardy (Our Generation, Big Boys) who makes his Radio 4 drama debut alongside Priyasasha Kumari (Waterloo Road) , David Crellin (Years and Years, Emmerdale), Carla Henry (Queer As Folk, Betty - a musical) and Nadia Emam (Everything I Know About Love, Playing Dead).  

Nickie Miles-Wildin returns to Naked Productions to direct How To Build A DJ for BBC Radio 4. Her previous drama, Love Across the Ages, was nominated for Best Drama at The ARIAS 2023. 

Michael Southan is a new writer from Wolverhampton. His most recent production was Kerbs, for Graeae and Belgrade Theatre for Coventry City of Culture in 2022. His audio work includes Connections and Night of the Living Flatpacks with Naked Productions for national community audio broadcast, funded by the Audio Content Fund. How to Build a DJ is his first BBC Radio 4 commission. 

There will be an animated transcript available on broadcast to increase access.


Cast:
Ben ..... Callum Mardy
Dennis ..... David Crellin
Gwen ..... Carla Henry
Seema ..... Priyasasha Kumari
Tamsin ..... Nadia Emam

		
Director, Nickie Miles-Wildin
Sound Designer, Steve Brooke
Illustration, Julian Gray
Production Manager, Darren Spruce
Producer, Polly Thomas
Executive Producer, Eloise Whitmore

A Naked production for BBC Radio 4

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.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Drama on 4

How to Build a DJ

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4