What is Radio Drama? // The 4 Elements of Radio // Drama Lesson 

Lesson Objective: To understand the elements of Radio Drama and explore how a performance is put together.
Task 1: What is Radio Drama?
- Radio drama is a dramatised audio performance, broadcast on radio, or other audio media.
- Radio was first invented in 1895, but it wasn’t until 1922 that the BBC were able to broadcast radio shows in the uk. By the late 1930’s, radio drama was widely popular in many parts of the world and the most accessible ‘digital’ way to experience drama.
- There were, and still are, lots of different programmes in many different genres, from mysteries to thrillers, soap operas and comedies.
Task 2: Discussion.
Have a look at the two pictures of a radio drama in action and make some notes on what you see.
Picture 1: 03:55 // Picture 2: 04:55
- What do you notice about the performance space?
- Where are the audience?
- Can you identify the set / props / costumes?
- What challenges do you think there might be for people creating a performance in this way?
Task 3: Radio Drama Example // 05:44
Listen to the start of this BBC Radio Drama - Shadows of The Past - by Rosemary Timperley and note down all the different sounds that your hear.
Task 4: The 4 Elements of Radio Drama // 07:45
MUSIC - SOUND EFFECTS - NARRATION - DIALOGUE
Watch the example of these in the video above and then search online for a radio drama of your choice create a mind map of your own showing audio examples for each of the four elements.
Enjoy the lesson!
#radiodrama #dramaresource #dramadan