Radio drama has a long and illustrious history, at times even bringing about mass hysteria, as in the case of Orson Welles’ infamous broadcast of the “War of the Worlds” in 1938. Though not quite as momentous, Radio Netherlands’ broadcasts of plays included some gems. This play, called “The Damned Thing”, won third place in a competition organised by Radio Netherlands in 1970 to encourage radio drama production. What “The damned thing” is remains unclear. It is something that arrives in the mail, sent to a married couple who then try to put the contraption together. However, an essential part seems to be missing.
Broadcast: 1970, rebroadcast March 1, 1992