Comedy on 3: Ten Italian Indelicacies Remixed from Boccaccio

[Guest]

The Essay - Mons to Fris, 1 to 12 Dec
Repeated as Drama on 3 - Suns 7 & 14 Dec

Fingers crossed.

[french frank]

The Essay - Mons to Fris, 1 to 12 Dec
Repeated as Drama on 3 - Suns 7 & 14 Dec

Fingers crossed.

An artful repackaging of The Essay in the guise of Drama on 3? The idea is interesting, but how well the stories will dramatise into much more than 'dramatised stories' - as you say, fingers crossed. Worst 'scenario' is that it gives short measure to both The Essay and Do3. Proof of pudding &c.

[Honoured Guest]

Mmm ... Good, I thought. They all hit the right tone and kept me listening, despite the familiarity of the sources.

Next Sunday's Drama on 3 is three short new plays co-produced with Paines Plough and recorded before a live audience.

Then, Shakespeare with Kenneth Branagh.

Am liking the variety.

[DracoM]

Sorry, I thought it was seriously compromised having it in that drama format. And TJ's whimsical chat as well.............no thanks.

[french frank]

TJ is the BBC's Medievalist in Residence. I recorded it but am deep in Dirac's biography atm

[french frank]

TJ is the BBC's Medievalist in Residence. I recorded it but am deep in Dirac's biography atm

I listened to the first set and thought it quite entertaining, though not ideal material for Do3 (or The Essay, if it comes to that, but in a different way). Not too keen on Mr Hollingworth's contribution and I'm not too sure (yet) about the contemporary veneer stuck on here and there... Will listen to yesterday's set later.

[Bryn]

I listened to the first set and thought it quite entertaining, though not ideal material for Do3 (or The Essay, if it comes to that, but in a different way). Not too keen on Mr Hollingworth's contribution and I'm not too sure (yet) about the contemporary veneer stuck on here and there... Will listen to yesterday's set later.

With the title given to the 10 "remixes", purists should surely have been prepared for something other than their penchant, what? Go on, give Macbeth Rebothered a go.

[french frank]

WItht he title given to the 10 "remixes", purists should surely have been prepared for something other than their penchant, what? Go on, give Macbeth Rebothered a go.

I was perfectly prepared for it to be other than a medieval book of stories. Doesn't mean I had to enjoy them; not that I didn't entirely - I just had some reservations as a Do3: it was clearly a cost-cutting programme, sticthcing (interesting attempt to get the c in the right place, the effect of hearing about quantum mechanics?) five Essays together.

[Honoured Guest]

More the opposite of "cost-cutting" - an extra place in the schedule for drama, in addition to the regular Sunday Drama on 3. Surely these nightly dramas cost more than the regular weeknight talks? A few years ago, Radio 3 scheduled short medieval mystery play adaptations in exactly the same way, as a nightly series and a Sunday omnibus. I hope they plan some more such series for future years.

[french frank]

More the opposite of "cost-cutting" - an extra place in the schedule for drama, in addition to the regular Sunday Drama on 3.

If you consider the programme a Do3, you're getting The Essay virtually free, two weeks running. And I suspect the shorter pieces are at the lower end of cost-per-hour with so many actors doubling roles, none of which are very substantial.

If you have a longer slot for a 'full-form' play, that is what I'd prefer but that is a personal preference which clearly not everyone shares.