The Once And Future King

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

The Coming Of Merlyn

20141109

20141115 (R4)

T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story dramatised by Brian Sibley. England is in turmoil. On the night before a decisive battle, Merlyn and Arthur meet to talk about what has brought the King and country to this perilous state.

Original music by Elizabeth Purnell

Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter

The radio debut of all five books of The Once and Future King in an adaptation by the award-winning dramatist, Brian Sibley, whose credits include dramatisations of The Lord of The Rings trilogy, Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast novels and most recently, Ray Bradbury's The Illustrated Man.

White's imagining of Arthur's childhood in The Sword in The Stone, his use of myth to deliver a powerful anti-war message and the humanity of his depiction of doomed love marks this cycle of novels as one of the defining works of 20th century fantasy fiction.

White uses the Arthurian legends to explore epic themes of national identity, democracy and the virtues of right over might.

Merlyn and Arthur meet to discuss what has brought England to its current perilous state.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

The Sword In The Stone

20141116

20141122 (R4)

Wart's remarkable education at the hands of the wizard Merlyn draws to a close.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

Wart's remarkable education at the hands of the wizard Merlyn draws to a close.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

The Queen Of Air And Darkness

20141123

20141129 (R4)

Brian Sibley's dramatisation of T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story continues. Rebels led by King Lot and Queen Morgause of Orkney challenge Arthur's claim to the throne. As war draws nearer, darker more personal motives for bringing Arthur down emerge.

Other parts are played by members of the cast.

Original music by Elizabeth Purnell

Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

Other parts are played by members of the cast.

Original music by Elizabeth Purnell

Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

The Ill-made Knight

20141130

20141206 (R4)

Full of zeal for Arthur's new chivalric order, Lancelot rides into Camelot.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

Full of zeal for Arthur's new chivalric order, Lancelot rides into Camelot.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

The Lengthening Shadow

20141207

20141213 (R4)

Murder and betrayal threaten to undermine all that Arthur holds dear.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

Murder and betrayal threaten to undermine all that Arthur holds dear.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

The Candle In The Wind

20141214

20141220 (R4)

Brian Sibley's dramatisation of T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story continues. Mordred uses Arthur's new laws against him and long-held secrets are forced out into the open.

Other parts are played by members of the cast.

Original music by Elizabeth Purnell

Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter.

Mordred uses Arthur's new laws against him, and long-held secrets are exposed.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

Brian Sibley's dramatisation of T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story continues. Mordred uses Arthur's new laws against him and long-held secrets are forced out into the open.

Other parts are played by members of the cast.

Original music by Elizabeth Purnell

Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter.

Mordred uses Arthur's new laws against him, and long-held secrets are exposed.

TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	The Coming Of Merlyn	20141109	20141115 (R4)	T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story dramatised by Brian Sibley. England is in turmoil. On the night before a decisive battle, Merlyn and Arthur meet to talk about what has brought the King and country to this perilous state. Original music by Elizabeth Purnell Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter The radio debut of all five books of The Once and Future King in an adaptation by the award-winning dramatist, Brian Sibley, whose credits include dramatisations of The Lord of The Rings trilogy, Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast novels and most recently, Ray Bradbury's The Illustrated Man. White's imagining of Arthur's childhood in The Sword in The Stone, his use of myth to deliver a powerful anti-war message and the humanity of his depiction of doomed love marks this cycle of novels as one of the defining works of 20th century fantasy fiction. White uses the Arthurian legends to explore epic themes of national identity, democracy and the virtues of right over might. Merlyn and Arthur meet to discuss what has brought England to its current perilous state. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.
02	The Sword In The Stone	20141116	20141122 (R4)	Wart's remarkable education at the hands of the wizard Merlyn draws to a close. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley. Wart's remarkable education at the hands of the wizard Merlyn draws to a close. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.
03	The Queen Of Air And Darkness	20141123	20141129 (R4)	Brian Sibley's dramatisation of T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story continues. Rebels led by King Lot and Queen Morgause of Orkney challenge Arthur's claim to the throne. As war draws nearer, darker more personal motives for bringing Arthur down emerge. Other parts are played by members of the cast. Original music by Elizabeth Purnell Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley. Brian Sibley's dramatisation of T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story continues. Rebels led by King Lot and Queen Morgause of Orkney challenge Arthur's claim to the throne. As war draws nearer, darker more personal motives for bringing Arthur down emerge. Other parts are played by members of the cast. Original music by Elizabeth Purnell Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.
04	The Ill-made Knight	20141130	20141206 (R4)	Full of zeal for Arthur's new chivalric order, Lancelot rides into Camelot. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley. Full of zeal for Arthur's new chivalric order, Lancelot rides into Camelot. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.
05	The Lengthening Shadow	20141207	20141213 (R4)	Murder and betrayal threaten to undermine all that Arthur holds dear. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley. Murder and betrayal threaten to undermine all that Arthur holds dear. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.
06	The Candle In The Wind	20141214	20141220 (R4)	Brian Sibley's dramatisation of T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story continues. Mordred uses Arthur's new laws against him and long-held secrets are forced out into the open. Other parts are played by members of the cast. Original music by Elizabeth Purnell Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter. Mordred uses Arthur's new laws against him, and long-held secrets are exposed. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley. Brian Sibley's dramatisation of T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story continues. Mordred uses Arthur's new laws against him and long-held secrets are forced out into the open. Other parts are played by members of the cast. Original music by Elizabeth Purnell Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter. Mordred uses Arthur's new laws against him, and long-held secrets are exposed. TH White's tale of King Arthur, adapted by Brian Sibley.