Springline Radio Players

"The War of the Worlds", a science fiction novel by H.G. Wells,  first published serially by Pearson’s Magazine in the U.K. and by The Cosmopolitan magazine in the U.S. in 1897. The novel details a catastrophic conflict between humans and extraterrestrial “Martians.” It is considered a landmark work of science fiction, and it has inspired numerous adaptations and imitations. Our audio play is inspired by Orson Wells radio broadcast in October 1938 and featured Trenton, New Jersey, USA as the place that the first Martian invasion commenced. The location has been changed to Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK and although the accents may be different, the plot remains the same.

"The Adventure of the Speckled Band" is the eighth Sherlock Holmes short story, and the tenth Holmes story overall by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It was originally published in the Strand Magazine in February 1892, with illustrations by Sidney Paget, and later as the eighth story in the collection The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The story tells of Helen Stoner, a soon-to-be married young woman who suspects her stepfather may be trying to kill her in order to retain control of her inheritance. Convinced of her stepfather's intentions, she turns to Holmes for help.

While on vacation in London, Richard Hannay becomes embroiled in an international spy ring related to the mysterious "39 steps." Then he meets agent Annabella Smith, who is soon killed in his apartment. He must elude the police, who are hunting him for murder, while he tries to stop the Professor Bartlett from sending secrets out of the country. Hannay is assisted by Pamela, an unwilling accomplice and their adventure to discover the truth leads them to the Highlands of Scotland and eventually to the West End of London.

In celebration of Shakespeare's birthday during the Coronavirus "lock down" the Royal Shakespeare Company invited fans of the Bard to upload on social media their favourite pieces and quotes from his complete works. This is a contribution from one such Springline fan from Act I, Scene I of Richard III.

The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle is of one of 56 short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and first published in the Strand Magazine in January 1892. The story follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they hunt down the people involved in stealing a blue gem (or carbuncle) that was discovered in a goose gullet. The first suspect, who turns out to be a red herring is the man in the hat.  

"The Monkey's Paw" is a supernatural short story by author W. W. Jacobs, first published in England in the collection "The Lady of the Barge" in 1902. In the story, three wishes are granted to the owner of The Monkey's Paw, but the wishes come with an enormous price for interfering with fate The White family prevents a guest from destroying a monkey's paw that has the power to grant wishes. Mr. White wishes for money, which he is granted by the factory his son works at after his son's gruesome death. They then wish for their son to come back, and something knocks at the door. When Mrs. White opens the door, nothing is there, as Mr. White's third wish caused whoever was there to disappear.

Synopsis: With more creditors than clients, the Fiona Buckingham Introduction Agency is struggling to make ends meet. Cheap do-it-yourself dating through newspaper Lonely Hearts columns has reduced the membership to almost single figures making it ever harder to match clients up. Even Fiona's secretary, two-finger typist Beverly is getting worried. Things start to look up when, within the space of two days, two new members join. Reluctant Trevor Hopkins, who likes spiders but prefers to sit downstairs on buses, has been sent along by his aging mother. The other new recruit, Brigadier Gregory Chadwick, a wealthy widower looking for solace, seems to take a shine to Fiona. Could Gregory be the answer to all Fiona's problems?

Springline Radio Players present 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle', a festive story starring Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous detective and his assistant; Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson,

Making Ends Meet - by Peter Higginbotham is a play performed and recorded by Springline Radio Players (www.springlineradioplayers.com. Synopsis: With more creditors than clients, the Fiona Buckingham Introduction Agency is struggling to make ends meet. Cheap do-it-yourself dating through newspaper Lonely Hearts columns has reduced the membership to almost single figures making it ever harder to match clients up. Even Fiona's secretary, two-finger typist Beverly is getting worried. Things start to look up when, within the space of two days, two new members join. Reluctant Trevor Hopkins, who likes spiders but prefers to sit downstairs on buses, has been sent along by his aging mother. The other new recruit, Brigadier Gregory Chadwick, a wealthy widower looking for solace, seems to take a shine to Fiona. Could Gregory be the answer to all Fiona's problems? The text of Making Ends Meet is included in Peter Higginbotham's book Mr Malaprop's Revenge! A Collection of Sketches, Poems, Plays and Other Writing (