unit 14: Analysis of Radio drama

Chosen programme 

The programme that I have chosen for BBC Radio 4 is the “Sick”. The schedule for this programme is mid day as it begins at 14:15 and ends at 14:59.  The programme is scheduled at this time because people can listen to this during their lunch break or driving home from work. It also can be listened to after the programme has been aired live because the audience can access the previous episode on the BBC Radio website and they need a TV license for this. The BBC Radio 4 website can been accessed through phones, computers and tablets. The programme ‘sick’ has a wider audience because it is relatable to many because they may have family members who are ill. Also this programme is suitable for children to watch this because they portray her illness in a funny way that doesn’t make seem as serious as she actually is.

Structure 

The programme begins with a lady who is the sister of the main character and the narrator of the story.  She starts off with dialogue to introduce the family members. They used circus music as the story begins to make the story seem merry. Then is shows stages of Kate s illness and then later on how she gets better, they also show how she realises who is really there for her when she needs them throughout the whole process of recovering. 

Purpose

The purpose of the show is to entertain as well as educate because this teaches a lesson for those who don’t take much time to take of themselves. However the programme ‘sick’ is to also entertain the audience because the narrator uses humour and to explain her sister’s pregnancy journey, they have also used circus music for some scenes where the narrator is explain the gory details of her illness, as this will make the drama more light hearted.

Content 

The programme is a story, which is told by a girl telling the story of her sister’s illness which she, develops during her second pregnancy. She suffers from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, which is extreme morning sickness and not stops vomiting. The programme shows how her life completely changes unplanned.

The drama begins by the sister explaining how life was before her sister developed the illness. Then Kate discovering that she has to take full rest until she gets better otherwise she will end back to the hospital where she will have to take medication. She then turns to her mother to take care of her until she recovers because her husband is busy with work. Classical music is used to create a light-hearted atmosphere when her mum is taking care of her. As the days go by it shows how her illness is getting worse and the nausea is getting worse. Different types of music is played at each month to keep a funny atmosphere even when then the narrator explains the gory details of her illness .For example in her second month of being pregnant, her sister explains how Kate produces excessive amounts of saliva every few minutes which needs to be spat out or she will continue feeling sick. And circus music is played in the background to keep a light-hearted atmosphere. This is an example of how her sister explains her journey with the illness. Through these months she realises and understands her family, her marriage and her own identity. This is comical, dark and joyfully nauseating “vom com” drama which is made to make the illness presented in a humorous way.

Meaning

The atmosphere is of the programme is dark, funny and joyfully disgusting. Even though there are sounds of vomiting, they have added humour to make it light hearted as this makes it more engaging for the audience. An example of this is when they show Kate being in the first stage of being sick and play upbeat music in the back ground as this shows that they made the illness seem comic and not made the matter serious.

Mode of address

The mode of address is when Kate is communicating with the doctor, mum, her children and husband. When the are act the doctor appointment the husband and doctor where communicating to find a person to look after Kate because the husband has to go to work. This shows how much the husband is concerned for Kate and wants her to get well soon.

Staff and resources 

The main character, Kate who is extremely ill withHyperemesis Gravidarum is played by Margaret Cabourn- smith. Then the narrator of the story, which is the sister of Kate, is played by. Alison Steadman plays Evelyn. Dr manning/smart phone played Teresa Gallagher.Nurse Craig played by Alex Lowe. John played by Sean Baker. Young Kate played by Kathleen Keaney. Lola Page plays Young Naomi. Finally Sophie is played by Sophie Xu.

The cast who don’t appear in the actual programme however are part of the making are Karen Rose who is the director and producer of the drama, and then the sound designer is David Thomas and finally the writer of the script is Dinnella.

A sweet talk production for BBC Radio 4.