Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Last Curse | 20150405 | The Liars' League, which launched in 2007, is a live short story event now spanning the globe. 'Liars' because in a sense fiction and acting are both lies - and a 'league' because a company of actors and writers work to bring an evening of themed stories to an audience, once a month in London, New York and Hong Kong. This is the first of three stories recorded at the Liars' League events. In London the theme is 'Boom and Bust', in New York it's 'Entrances and Exits', and in Hong Kong - where we begin - it's 'Cruelty and Mercy'. Each story brings a distinct flavour of its country of origin - of the culture, people and concerns. Each is populated by ubiquitous skyscrapers and familiar corporations and brands, but at the same time beats to an older rhythm of the people and their traditions - from a Catholic boyhood in New York, through life in London's drabber suburbs, to old traditions surviving amidst the bustle of modern Hong Kong. In The Last Curse by Peng Shepherd, we are introduced to the 'villain hitters' - old women who sit in the shadow of a motorway underpass in the very heart of Hong Kong. Far below the gleaming towers and hidden from view, evil spirits linger, and the villain hitters mete out their curses. Written by Peng Shepherd Read by Harry Oram Produced by David Roper A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4. By Peng Shepherd. A man visits a 'villain-hitter' witch in to cast a spell on his wife. Series of three tales recorded at the Liars' League short story events. |
| 02 | Do Days | 20150412 | The Liars' League, which launched in 2007, is a live short story event now spanning the globe. 'Liars' because in a sense fiction and acting are both lies - and a 'league' because a company of actors and writers work to bring an evening of themed stories to an audience, once a month in London, New York and Hong Kong.
This is the second of three stories recorded at the Liars' League events. In London the theme is 'Boom and Bust', in Hong Kong it's 'Cruelty and Mercy', and in New York - where we are this week - it's 'Entrances and Exits'.
Each story brings a distinct flavour of its country of origin - of the culture, people and concerns. Each is populated by ubiquitous skyscrapers and familiar corporations and brands, but at the same time beats to an older rhythm of the people and their traditions - from a Catholic boyhood in New York, through life in London's drabber suburbs, to old traditions surviving amidst the bustle of modern Hong Kong.
In Vito Racanelli's Do Days, Paulie and Steven are friends, living across the street from each other in Queens. Steven went to the public school, Paulie to the Catholic one where, more than anything, he learned what not to do. Don't do this, don't do that. For Steven, every day was a 'do day', and Paulie jumped at the chances Steven presented him with, whatever the consequences.
Written by Vito Racanelli
Produced by David Roper
By Vito Racanelli. For two New York boys, a life of adventures comes to a shattering end. Series of three tales recorded at the Liars' League short story events. |
| 03 | The Wallet | 20150419 | The Liars' League, which launched in 2007, is a live short story event now spanning the globe. 'Liars' because in a sense fiction and acting are both lies - and a 'league' because a company of actors and writers work to bring an evening of themed stories to an audience, once a month in London, New York and Hong Kong.
This is the third of three stories recorded at the Liars' League events. In Hong Kong the theme is 'Cruelty and Mercy', in New York it's 'Entrances and Exits', and in London - where we are this week - the theme is 'Boom and Bust'.
Each story brings a distinct flavour of its country of origin - of the culture, people and concerns. Each is populated by ubiquitous skyscrapers and familiar corporations and brands, but at the same time beats to an older rhythm of the people and their traditions - from a Catholic boyhood in New York, through life in London's drabber suburbs, to old traditions surviving amidst the bustle of modern Hong Kong.
In The Wallet by Joshan Esfandiari Martin, love from generation to generation struggles to breathe in a city suffocated by money. From the drab suburbs of London in the 1960s to the most glamorous restaurants of today's capital, every emotion and romantic gesture is compromised by money.
Read by David Mildon
Produced by David Roper
A single man recalls his parents' fractious relationship, dominated by money. Series of three tales recorded at the Liars' League short story events. |