Return to radio
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:30 amI know I'm not the only one around here who'll be glad to hear this news...
The three sequels to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams's tale of the ill-starred intergalactic adventures of Arthur Dent, are to be dramatised on radio for the first time since the original was broadcast in 1978.
BBC Radio 4 said yesterday it had assembled the surviving cast members for the new production, which will also feature the voice of the writer, who died aged 49 of a heart attack in 2001.
The second Hitchhiker book, Life, the Universe and Everything, which was originally conceived as a plot for Doctor Who, will be broadcast in six parts starting in September. Another yet-to-be-recorded eight-part series is planned for next year, adapting the two remaining books, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish, and Mostly Harmless.
Adams was involved in earlier attempts to adapt the three books for radio in 1993 and 1997, but both times the project ran into the ground.
This time the task was made easier because Disney now owns all the previously disparate rights, which meant the producers only had to conclude one deal. A film version of the original radio series, which was only later extended into a book, will appear next year.
For the new Radio 4 production, Simon Jones returns as the hapless hero, while Geoffrey McGivern reprises his role as his travelling companion, Ford Prefect. Susan Sheridan returns as Trillian, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Stephen Moore as Marvin the Paranoid Android.
Richard Griffiths takes over from the late Richard Vernon as Slartibartfast, while Roger Gregg voices Eddie the Computer, taking over from the late David Tate. William Franklyn takes on the role of the narrator character, The Book, originally played by Peter Jones.
There are also cameo appearances by Leslie Phillips and Joanna Lumley, and by cricket commentators Henry Blofeld and Fred Trueman, who report on the invasion of Lords cricket ground by aliens from the planet Krikket.
"It's a fantastic way to celebrate a great series," said Helen Boaden, the controller of Radio 4. The books have been adapted by Dirk Maggs, Adams's original choice, who followed the author's instructions and notes.
Maggs, who had been involved in the previous attempts to dramatise the books, said Adams had already written half an hour's worth of radio scripts.
The moribund project was resurrected when Maggs met the radio producer Bruce Hyman at Adams's memorial service; the two men already knew each other but Maggs had not realised that Hyman was also a friend of Adams.
Maggs also knew the author had wanted to play Agrajag, a reincarnating alien who was always being accidentally killed by Dent; realising Adams had narrated the books when they were released on cassette before his death, Maggs was able to remaster his voice for the part. "I think it's as close to what Douglas would have wanted as it is humanly possible to get," he said.
The three sequels to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams's tale of the ill-starred intergalactic adventures of Arthur Dent, are to be dramatised on radio for the first time since the original was broadcast in 1978.
BBC Radio 4 said yesterday it had assembled the surviving cast members for the new production, which will also feature the voice of the writer, who died aged 49 of a heart attack in 2001.
The second Hitchhiker book, Life, the Universe and Everything, which was originally conceived as a plot for Doctor Who, will be broadcast in six parts starting in September. Another yet-to-be-recorded eight-part series is planned for next year, adapting the two remaining books, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish, and Mostly Harmless.
Adams was involved in earlier attempts to adapt the three books for radio in 1993 and 1997, but both times the project ran into the ground.
This time the task was made easier because Disney now owns all the previously disparate rights, which meant the producers only had to conclude one deal. A film version of the original radio series, which was only later extended into a book, will appear next year.
For the new Radio 4 production, Simon Jones returns as the hapless hero, while Geoffrey McGivern reprises his role as his travelling companion, Ford Prefect. Susan Sheridan returns as Trillian, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Stephen Moore as Marvin the Paranoid Android.
Richard Griffiths takes over from the late Richard Vernon as Slartibartfast, while Roger Gregg voices Eddie the Computer, taking over from the late David Tate. William Franklyn takes on the role of the narrator character, The Book, originally played by Peter Jones.
There are also cameo appearances by Leslie Phillips and Joanna Lumley, and by cricket commentators Henry Blofeld and Fred Trueman, who report on the invasion of Lords cricket ground by aliens from the planet Krikket.
"It's a fantastic way to celebrate a great series," said Helen Boaden, the controller of Radio 4. The books have been adapted by Dirk Maggs, Adams's original choice, who followed the author's instructions and notes.
Maggs, who had been involved in the previous attempts to dramatise the books, said Adams had already written half an hour's worth of radio scripts.
The moribund project was resurrected when Maggs met the radio producer Bruce Hyman at Adams's memorial service; the two men already knew each other but Maggs had not realised that Hyman was also a friend of Adams.
Maggs also knew the author had wanted to play Agrajag, a reincarnating alien who was always being accidentally killed by Dent; realising Adams had narrated the books when they were released on cassette before his death, Maggs was able to remaster his voice for the part. "I think it's as close to what Douglas would have wanted as it is humanly possible to get," he said.
Amen to that, like you say, Hagar, with a few good exceptions.
Sorry to post again, so soon, where are my manners?
... Hitch Hickers Guide back on the radio is fantastic. ;D 
This meant listening to other types of music & learning to appreciate it. I have always been grateful for that.