What’s On

radio play

‘THE HEAVENLY PATH’ by Patrick Isherwood, performed by members of Little Gaddesden Drama Club

The Heavenly Path is a 57 minute radio play, a comedy/thriller which deals with a serious subject that has come to the forefront of public debate.
The play is set in 2030. A coalition government is considering amendments to the Assisted Dying Act that was passed 18 months earlier. The legislation was introduced to give effect to the growing demand for state support for euthanasia following several years of consultations and parliamentary debates. A key element in the legislation has been the creation of so-called Heavenly Gate Centres where people are led gently along the ‘heavenly path’ towards their end. The legislation also provides tax and other incentives for those who opt to end their own life in this way.
Worryingly, there are rumours that further legislation is being considered which will extend the incentive scheme, thereby enabling the Treasury to save money otherwise paid through pensions and other benefits.  A small group of disaffected former spooks has learned about this development which they regard as the slippery slope towards cynical widespread state-aided euthanasia that goes far beyond what the public really wants and is morally corrupt.  They come up with an audacious plan to scupper the extended legislation, with unexpected consequences.

Patrick Isherwood

Listen now!

CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)
Newsreader BBC Radio 2 Jackie Tannett
Candice Simmonds Guide at the London Heavenly Gate Centre Georgia McCarthy
Dave Redmond Retired IT consultant Patrick Isherwood
Florence Chaminade Former Prima Ballerina Leonie Thompson
Ray Helper at the Heavenly Gate Centre Shaun McCarthy
Lennox Nevin MP Minister for Public Wellbeing Andrew Sheard
Cait Sheldon MP Chief Secretary to The Treasury Katy Miller
Ruth Brearley MP Acting Health Minister Jo Howard
Philip Longstaff Former MI5 Officer Shaun McCarthy
Duncan McCrae Former MI6 Officer Trevor Fernandes
Adam Security at Houses of Parliament Benjamin Dawson
Sir Gregor Hope MP Conservative member for Easthavenwick Patrick Isherwood
Antonia Lancaster Chief Superintendent with The Met. Police Julie McCarthy
Janet Tunnock MP Labour member for Greater Manchester South Kathy Fry
Speaker House of Commons Trevor Fernandes
Written and directed by Patrick Isherwood
Production by Patrick Isherwood and Benjamin Dawson

radio play

‘WIXIT!’ by Trisha Wood, performed by members of Little Gaddesden Drama Club

WIXIT! is the sixth play in the Extraordinary Women series of short radio plays written by Trisha Wood. In it the ladies of Great Titley Women’s Institute bow to pressure from one of their members and decide to hold a referendum on whether to leave the National organization. To the committee’s surprise there is a yes vote (52-48%) which leaves them with some uncomfortable choices.

Listen now!

For those of you who are not familiar with the earlier plays, you can find them here and for a little more information on the formidable characters that make up the committee of this local WI click here.

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