Podcast
Spec Fic Radio Theatre
Hosted by Alternative Stories · EN
Spec Fic Radio Theatre is an anthology of top audio drama, written by amazing writers and produced by the multi-award winning team at Alternative Stories.
From hard science fiction to folkloric tales and mythology to futuristic climate disasters and a murder mystery on Noah's Ark, you'll find yourself immersed in unexpected and original stories performed by professional actors and supported by impeccable sound design.
Subscribe for weekly releases.
More from Alternative Stories:
The Dex Legacy: https://pod.link/1603811886/
Wasteland - A Dex Legacy Story: https://pod.link/1790863463
Burnout: https://pod.link/1798982875
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Silver Ball
Feb 1100:52:53Tap to summarizeIn the county of Cornwall in the far southwest of England, a strange game has been played between villages for centuries. When the covid lockdown brings Holly to the area she learns more about the game and the mysterious stone circles dotting the landscape. The county is rich in folklore and Holly's aunt, Helen shares some of it in this tale of folklore and fantasy written by Cornish poet and folklorist, Anna Chorlton. The Silver Ball was recorded and produced during the UK's Covid lockdown using actors from or with close connections to the county of Cornwall. Sound quality varies a little and we hope this does not spoil your enjoyment of the story. The Silver Ball was selected as Cornwall's entry into the British Library's archive of artistic projects created in the Covid pandemic lockdowns. It's a hug pleasure to share this magical story as the final episode in season 2 of Spec Fic Radio Theatre. In the Silver Ball by Anna Chorlton you heard, in order of appearance Tim Cartwright As Conan Michael Fenner as the Vicar of St Cleer Jowan Jacobs as Hedrek Jamie Trotter as Jago Tiffany Clare as Holly Kate Edney as Helen Carly Barnes as Amy and Heather And Sally Walker-Taylor as Mary Other voices were played by members of the cast The music in The Silver Ball was arranged and performed by Mike O’Connor based on traditional Cornish tunes. Additional music is by Chris Gregory Production, sound design and soundscapes were by Chris Gregory Sound effects are from Freesound.org If you would like to find out more about the author of The Silver Ball, the Cornish poet and folklorist Anna Chorlton you can do so by visiting her website here https://annachorlton.com/ And follow Anna on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/chorltonanna All the locations and customs mentioned in the story are based on real sites and events in Cornwall. If you enjoy Spec Fic Radio Theatre you might enjoy other Alternative Stories podcasts. We have a number of drama series including our award winning science fiction drama The Dex Legacy and our podcast about world building 'Writing Worlds'. Find all our shows and links to our social media, website and more here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories To get early release and ad-free listening to all alternative stories shows, bonus content, newsletters and more you can join the Alternative Stories Patreon. You'll get access to our discord where you can connect with other fans, our production team and actors and you'll be supporting us to make more of the shows you enjoy. To find out more and choose your membership tier please click the link below https://www.patreon.com/AltStories Spec Fic Radio Theatre is an Alternative Stories production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →A Memory Of Robin
Feb 400:24:18Tap to summarizeA Memory of Robin by David Green tells the story of Gem, the daughter of a woman called Robin who we follow through extracts from her voice diary as she seeks to escape the confines of an increasingly oppressive and totalitarian government. In A Memory of Robin by David Green you heard: Jackie Jorgenson as Robin Abby Hilden as Gem, Robin's daughter Keli Winkler as the Voice of the Nation A Memory of Robin is based on the short story of the same name by David Green. Additional material and adaptation were by Chris Gregory. Music, sound design and mixing were by Chris Gregory Find out more about writer David Green by following him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/davidgreenwriter/ And visit his website www.davidgreenwritercom.wordpress.com Find David on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/davidgreenwriter/ If you enjoy Spec Fic Radio Theatre you might enjoy other Alternative Stories podcasts. We have a number of drama series including our award winning science fiction drama The Dex Legacy and our podcast about world building 'Writing Worlds'. Find all our shows and links to our social media, website and more here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories To get early release and ad-free listening to all alternative stories shows, bonus content, newsletters and more you can join the Alternative Stories Patreon. You'll get access to our discord where you can connect with other fans, our production team and actors and you'll be supporting us to make more of the shows you enjoy. To find out more and choose your membership tier please click the link below https://www.patreon.com/AltStories Spec Fic Radio Theatre is an Alternative Stories production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →The Lake Isle
Jan 2800:42:16Tap to summarizeThere are few things more mysterious in nature than an island in a lake. This psychological drama explores the pull and attraction of one such island in a Highland Loch which we view against the backdrop of the fracturing of a familial relationship. I will arise and go now, for always night and dayI hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,I hear it in the deep heart’s core. W.B Yeats from his poem 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' In the Lake Isle you heard Kelsey Griffin as Kirsty Monroe Sophie Macnair as Helena Monroe Carl Wharton as Mr Monroe Warren Graham as Michael, the counsellor Chris Gregory as the man in the coffee shop The Lake Isle was written by Chris Gregory with script review by Sophie Macnair and Kelsey Griffin Music, sound design and mixing were by Chris Gregory If you enjoy Spec Fic Radio Theatre you might enjoy other Alternative Stories podcast. We have a number of drama series including our award winning science fiction drama The Dex Legacy and our podcast about world building 'Writing Worlds'. You'll find a link in our show notes to find out more To get early release and ad-free listening to all alternative stories shows, bonus content, newletters and more you can join the Alternative Stories patreon. You'll get access to our discord where you can connect with other fans, our production team and actors and you'll be supporting us to make more of the shows you enjoy. To find out more and choose your membership tier please click the link below https://www.patreon.com/AltStories Find all our shows and links to our social media, website and more here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories Spec Fic Radio Theatre is an Alternative Stories production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →The Ark
Jan 2100:38:22Tap to summarizeIn the aftermath of her husband's death Martha and her teenage children Emmy and Henry are struggling to adapt to life without him. Strange things are happening in their lives and whilst things may be starting to look up, no one is quite sure what is causing these coincidences. Please note : There is some strong language in this audio drama.The Ark is written by Madeleine F White. It is adapted from her novel 'Mother of Floods' which is published by Crowsnest Books In The Ark you heard:Sarah Golding as Martha Holly Skinner as EmmyHarri Rees Jones as Henry Chris Gregory as DaveOther voices were by Madeleine F White and members of the cast. Music, soundscape, direction and production were by Chris Gregory The Ark is adapted from the novel Mother of Floods by Madeleine F White. “Mother of Floods” is published by Crows Nest Books and we would like to thank them for their kind permission to adapt the novel in this drama. You can visit their website and purchase Mother of Floods here https://www.crowsnestbooks.com/You can find out more about Madeleine F White by visiting her Good reads page here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50646333-mothe… Follow Madeleine on instagram here https://www.instagram.com/madeleinefwhite/ The script for The Ark is copyright madeleine F White and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the author. If you enjoy Spec Fic Radio Theatre you might enjoy other Alternative Stories podcast. We have a number of drama series including our award winning science fiction drama The Dex Legacy and our podcast about world building 'Writing Worlds'. Find all our shows and links here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories To get early release and ad-free listening to all alternative stories shows, bonus content, newletters and more you can join the Alternative Stories patreon. You'll get access to our discord where you can connect with other fans, our production team and actors and you'll be supporting us to make more of the shows you enjoy. To find out more and choose your membership tier please click the link below https://www.patreon.com/AltStories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Stella's Constellation
Jan 1400:32:54Tap to summarizeIn a small alpine village Stella contemplates her strange life and origins as a number of mysterious events unfold around her. Stella's Constellation is a magical realist story by Swiss American author TAK Erzinger.In Stella’s Constellation by TAK Erzinger you heard Sadie Pepperrell as Stella,Simone Low as the NarratorMarie Claire Wood as LagrimasRhys Anderson as Jurgen Music, sound design, direction and soundscapes were by Chris GregoryNana De Falla was sung by Marie-Claire WoodTAK Erzinger is an American/Swiss poet and artist with a Colombian background. Her poetry has been featured in Bien Acompañada from Cornell University, The Muse from McMaster University, The Galway Review, River South from Wilkes University and more. Her debut poetry collection entitled, “Found: Between the Trees” was published by Grey Border Books, in Canada in 2019 and her forthcoming poetry book “At the Foot of the Mountain” is being published by Floricanto Press. The audio drama you just heard, “Stella’s Constellation” is an excerpt from a book she is currently writing under the same title, inspired by magical realism and the folklore of South America and central Europe. She lives in a Swiss valley with her husband and cats. You can find out more about TAK by visiting her website and following her on social media https://takerzinger.wixsite.com/poet And follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/takerzinger/ If you have enjoyed this episode of Spec Fic Radio Theatre please subscribe and leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts. You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release. You can find out more and join here https://www.patreon.com/AltStories.To find out more about Alternative Stories and our work you can follow us on social mediahttps://www.instagram.com/stories.alt/or visit our website https://alternativestories.com/and Linktree here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStoriesContact us by email at office@alternativestories.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →The Earth Serenades
Jan 700:38:40Tap to summarizeThank you for listening to Spec Fic Radio Theatre. For this episode we're sharing an award winning eco-comedy with a serious message. In orbit around our planet, an alien creature is listening in on Earth noise. One sound in particular seems to have a greater significance than others but what does it mean and how will Skim and Beta find out more about it? In our final Alternative Stories episode of 2024 we are bringing you the winner of the 2024 Pen to Print Audio Play Competition “The Earth Serenades” by Emma Griffiths. In “The Earth Serenades” by Emma Griffiths you can hear Tiffany Clare as Skim Emily Inkpen as Beta Sophie Macnair as Pree And Chris Gregory as Shakarn Other voices were played by Sophie Macnair and Emma Griffiths The Earth Serenades was Directed by Chris Gregory and Emily Inkpen and recorded at Orpheus Studio in London The sound engineer was Richard 'Orpheus' Campbell Music, sound design and editing were by Chris Gregory The script for the earth serenades is copyright Emma Griffiths and may not be used in whole or in part except with the permission of the author If you would like to enter the 2026 Pen to Print Audio Play Competition you need to be an unpublished audio drama writer and resident in the United Kingdom. The competition is open for entries until March. You can find out more and download entry terms and conditions via the link below https://pentoprint.org/get-involved/competitions/ If you have enjoyed this episode of Spec Fic Radio Theatre please subscribe and leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts. You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release. You can find out more and join here https://www.patreon.com/AltStories.To find out more about Alternative Stories and our work you can follow us on social mediahttps://www.instagram.com/stories.alt/or visit our website https://alternativestories.com/and Linktree here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStoriesContact us by email at office@alternativestories.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Introducing Terror Tapes: A New Short Horror Anthology
Dec 3100:29:33Tap to summarizeThank you for listening to Spec Fic Radio Theatre. For this episode we're sharing three short stories from a new Alternative Stories podcast called "Terror Tapes". The concept behind the show is of short recordings found on a batch of cassettes purchased from a car boot sale. Each double-sided tape contains two stories with no background or context. It's up to listeners to build stories around them and decide how they began or finish For this selection you can hear three stories from our seasonal batch of cassettes. The stories are 'The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year' written by Lewis Carter and starring Kathryn Georghiou and Adam Reilly 'Baby Monitor' written by Ant Moran and starring Kathryn Georghiou, Adam Reilly and Dave McClelland 'Driving Home For Christmas' written by Kathryn Georghiou and starring Kathryn Georghiou and Dave McClelland You can listen and subscribe to Terror Tapes in your favourite podcast app to hear 9 more stories and have new episodes delivered to you on release by following the link below https://pod.link/1862732836 You can follow Terror Tapes on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/terror_tapes_podcast/ Terror Tapes was created by Kathryn Georghiou, Ant Moran and Dave McClelland Sound design is by Chris Gregory If you have enjoyed this episode of Spec Fic Radio Theatre please subscribe and leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts. You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release. You can find out more and join here https://www.patreon.com/AltStories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →The Angry House
Dec 1700:49:19Tap to summarizeThank you for listening to Spec Fic Radio Theatre, anthology of full-cast original audio dramas in the genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror. Season Two continues with folk horror set in Cornwall. The Angry House is an award-winning script by novelist Thomas Wrightson. In 'The Angry House' by Thomas Wrightson you can hear: Charlie Richards as Harry Marie-Claire Wood as Agnes David Monteith as Gerald and Sarah Golding as Samantha Gregory Whispers and other voices by the cast and Thomas Wrightson The Angry House was produced and directed by Chris Gregory Casting was by Chris Gregory and Thomas Wrightson The original score for The Angry House was arranged and performed by Chris GregorySound design, mixing and editing are by Chris Gregory for Alternative Stories Thomas Wrightson is a novelist based in Anglesey in North Wales. You can find out more about Thomas and his work by visiting his website here: https://thomaswrightson.co.uk/ The Angry House was the winning script in the 2025 Pen to Print Audio Play Competition. The competition which is open to audio drama writers who have not previously had an audio drama produced runs annually and a number of the winning scripts can be heard on this podcast. To find out more about the competition and to enter the 2026 version please visit the Pen to Print website here https://pentoprint.org/get-involved/competitions/ Alternative Stories would like to thank Pen to Print for running the competition and Lucy Kaufman and Emily Inkpen for judging entries alongside Chris Gregory. If you have enjoyed this episode of Spec Fic Radio Theatre please subscribe and leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts. You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release. You can find out more and join here https://www.patreon.com/AltStories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Selkie
Dec 1000:40:24Tap to summarizeWelcome to Season Two of Speculative Fiction Radio Theatre and a wonderful fantasy audio drama based on the Selkie stories of Scottish folklore by writer and folklorist Signe Maene. In Selkie by Signe Maene you can hear:Sophie Macnair as The SelkieLewie Watson as AndrewSimone Low as Andrew's MotherKelsey Griffin as a Selkie and singer of Ae Fond KissStevie Skinner as a Selkie Selkie was directed by Chris Gregory Casting was by Signe Maene and Chrs Gregory The music was arranged and performed by John Spiers based on the traditional folk tune "The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry" "Ae Fond Kiss" (trad. with lyrics by Robert Burns) is performed by Kelsey GriffinAdditional music and soundscapes are by Chris GregorySound design, mixing and editing are by Chris Gregory Signe Maene is a Belgian writer of stories mainly inspired by Flemish folklore, and she shares her passion for this frightening yet wonderful world on Substack. She is the author of Flemish Folktales Retold and The Witches of Flemish Folklore. Another short story collection, The Witch's Child, is coming soon. Signe has worked on several folkloric projects for the Alternative Stories and Fake Realities Podcast. Her work has been published in The Copperfield Review, The Seelie Crow and Atrium Poetry, among others. When Signe is not writing, she is sewing, reading, or walking around in dark churches, haunted forests and the melancholic streets of Belgium's medieval cities. You can follow Signe on Substack here: https://signe.substack.com and visit her website here https://signemaene.com John Spiers is a folk musician and player of many squeezebox style instruments. He’s a member of a number of bands including Bellowhead, Spiers and Boden and the Gigspanner Big Band. You can find out more about John and his work by visiting his website here https://www.johnspiers.co.uk/ If you have enjoyed the show please subscribe and leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts. You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release. You can find out more and join here https://www.patreon.com/AltStories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Daughter Of Fire And Water
Jul 1700:43:56Tap to summarizeIn the final episode of season one of Spec Fic Radio Theatre we are bringing you fantasy inspired by Scottish Folklore. Daughter of Fire and Water is written by Lyndsey Croal In Daughter of Fire and water by Lyndsey Croal you heard Kelsey Griffin as Brida Lewie Watson as Angus Peter Forbes as Cernun and Simone Low as Callie Music was by Cameron Mackay Sound design, direction and soundscapes were by Chris Gregory If you would like to find out more about the writer of Daughter of Fire and Water, Lyndsey Croal you can follow the link below to visit her website. https://lyndseycroal.co.uk/ Follow Lyndsey on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/lyndseycroal You can hear Lyndsey Croal chatting with Spec Fic Radio Theatre producers Chris Gregory and Emily Inkpen in this special live recording of our new Writing Worlds Podcast. This episode was recorded at the Cymera Festival in Edinburgh. https://pod.link/1812994751/episode/95227555f90d04bb39e681e6d01040d2 This is the last episode in season one of Spec Fic Radio Theatre. On behalf of all of our writers and our producers, Emily Inkpen and me Chris Gregory, we'd like to thank you for listening. If you have enjoyed the show please leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts. You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release. You can find out more and join here https://www.patreon.com/c/AltStories One of the things you'll be able to enjoy is the third series of our award-winning science fiction drama The Dex legacy which will be launching on Friday 25th July. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →