The Mysterious Number 80 Crantham Street

 I was, of course, delighted to receive the email informing me that my script, The Mysterious Number 80 Crantham Street , had been officially selected by the Hollywood Horror Fest for a read-through and scoring by the judges. That now makes three Official Selections, one Finalist placement, one nomination and four award-winning recognitions that the script has received. So, this week, as I received the news about my script, I was also preparing for the final rehearsal at Film Oxford, which takes place this Sunday, 20th September, with my cast. I hope to impart whatever knowledge I can during this final session and prepare everyone for the recordings taking place at Cowley Road Recording Studio on the 26th and 27th September. After that, it will be down to me and the editing. I'll be shaping the project and, hopefully, putting all my ideas into action. Most people involved in either radio or video production will be all too familiar with the challenges of pre-production and post-pr...

Since I started my pilot project, I've had a few questions come my way, so I thought I'd put together a little FAQ. 1. Is The Mysterious Number 80 Crantham Street a commissioned piece of work? No, The Mysterious Number 80 Crantham Street isn't a commissioned project. I rediscovered a short film script that I had originally written in 2005. I rewrote it and submitted it to film festivals, where it received some positive feedback and recognition. Following the success of the script and the feedback I received, I decided to adapt it into an audio drama pilot project. I'm hoping it will be released in early 2027. Sunday's rehearsal at Film Oxford 2. Did you receive any funding for the project? No, I haven't received any funding. The project is being produced under the Mischief Pictures banner. I've been very fortunate to have several professional actors interested in helping me with the project. They have fitted it around their professional work because they ...

  Steve Hay plays the lead role of Paul Rogers , an ICT consultant working at Mango Connect. He and his wife, Alyssa, have recently moved into Crantham Street. As the story unfolds, more is revealed about Paul during the week leading up to the events that culminate in his stabbing. Ella Fryer-Smith plays the lead role of Alyssa Rogers . Arrested at the beginning of the drama for stabbing her husband, Paul, Alyssa works as a carpenter for Wendleton City Council in the Parks and Green Spaces Department. The physical nature of her work helps her maintain her recovery from drug addiction. Andy Hart plays The Narrator who   guides us through the week leading up to the stabbing. Unable to go out during the day, he experiences the outside world through the eyes of Tiger , the cat belonging to the eccentric neighbour Karen Moss.  Ella Fryer-Smith, Eloise Coyle, Steve Hay  Andy Hart, Ella Fryer-Smith Mark Ralph-Bowman plays Detective Chief Inspector John  Hedgings , ...

  Photo by Elizabeth Hunston When I first decided to adapt my short film script, The Mysterious Number 80 Crantham Street , into an audio drama, I knew it would be a very different creative experience. What I perhaps didn't appreciate at the time was just how collaborative the journey would become. The project has developed steadily over the past few months. Following two script read-throughs and one-and-a-half rewrites, I finally reached a version of the story that felt ready to move into rehearsals. Each revision helped strengthen the characters, dialogue and pacing, bringing me closer to the story I wanted to tell. One decision I made very early on was that I wanted the world of Crantham Street to feel as authentic as possible. Rather than relying on AI-generated voices, I chose to create original background soundscapes using real people. From busy offices and police station activity to a lively ladies' night out as they return from the pub and curious neighbours gathering o...

  The Mysterious Number 80 Crantham Street (A Vampire's Tale)  Nosy Neighbours Today, 27th June, I recorded the final group background voice session. This group was made up of members of the Florence Park Players, people I've known for many years, and a former member of the Oxford Theatre Guild. The recording was for the scene surrounding the arrest of Alyssa Rogers, with the neighbourhood gathering outside to speculate about what was happening. The group were amazing and more than happy to immerse themselves in the scene, becoming every bit as gossipy as I'd hoped. I really do appreciate everyone giving up their Saturday morning to help me with this project. They embraced the scenario completely and made it their own. It was wonderful to meet everyone and to have them contribute to bringing my audio drama to life. This marks the final background voice recording session. I now have three more rehearsals with the main cast before the final recordings at Cowley Road Sound St...

  Caroline, Jennifer, Jane & Georgie The next rehearsal date is 5th July, but today I recorded the background voices for the scenes in which the police are called out to a disturbance in Crantham Street. The voices were improvised to recreate a group of friends walking home after enjoying a ladies' night out at the pub. There is always something slightly embarrassing about not realising what is going on and making comments that are completely inappropriate to the situation, and this was the scenario we worked on today. All four women did a fabulous job, and it was very kind of them to give up their time on a Saturday afternoon to help bring the scene to life. Next weekend, I will be recording the final section of background voices for the nosy neighbours scene, where a crowd gathers outside as Alyssa is arrested. After that, there will be two more rehearsals before the final recording weekend with the main cast. Ladies' Night Out Cast Caroline Glendinning Georgie Lacey Jane...