Entertainment
Kneale’s Lost Work Brought to Life
Nigel Kneale, The Godfather of Sci-Fi, was a Manxman who changed the world of TV and film
A new production of a lost radio play by one of the greatest Manx writers of the 20th century is now available on BBC Sounds.
Nigel Kneale, The Godfather of Sci-Fi, was an (English-born) Manxman whose family came from the island and he returned to live here when he was six.
You Must Listen stars Toby Jones and Caroline Catz and can be found here.
As well as being the writer of the iconic The Quatermass Experiment, he inspired the works of John Carpenter and Stephen King, wrote original scripts and adapted works by writers such as George Orwell and H.G. Wells and his work basically is the key inspiration behind Dr Who.
Culture Vannin said: ‘One of the Isle of Man’s greatest ever writers, Nigel Kneale is best remembered today for his work with the BBC, such as his terrifying pioneering science fiction ‘Quatermass.’ Anything of his being produced is something to get excited by, so a lost script is something VERY exciting, as the BBC Radio 4 description would suggest…
‘The radio play was originally broadcast in September 1952, but no recording of this original production was kept. However, fortunately, Kneale kept a copy of the script in his own archives, allowing this new version to be recorded. So, settle down, listen, and enjoy a Manx writer doing what they do best!’
Mark Owen has previous written about Nigel Kneale for Gef, read his admiration for the great man below:
