Putting You Through, Caller
Shaun Ley uses drama and comedy from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ archives to demonstrate how the telephone operator became a valuable dramatic device.
In 1958, the Queen made the first direct trunk telephone call.
It was the beginning of the end for the female operators known as the 'Hello Girls'.
Telephone operators had connected callers since the earliest days of the telephone, 80 years before. Despite the intimacy of 'phone conversations, subscribers willingly accepted the presence of a third voice on the line.
In this three-hour showcase, Shaun Ley uses drama and comedy from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ archives to demonstrate how the telephone operator became a valuable dramatic device.
With the aid of the recordings from the GPO (General Post Office) and the BT archive, Shaun explores the role of the operator, the strict rules governing their work and some official secrets.
Featuring:
* Extracts from 'Liz and Sally' - a 1960s Post Office recruitment film
* Burn Your Phone - a radio drama by Andrew Wallace
Alan Cumming plays a telephone operator beset by voices, requests and problems. With Jonathan Keeble
First broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in 1995
.
* If You’re Glad, I’ll be Frank - a radio drama by Tom Stoppard
What happens when Frank recognises the voice of the GPO speaking clock as that of his long-lost wife?
Starring Timothy West and Patsy Rowlands
First broadcast on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Third Programme in 1966.
* Ballylenon - an extract of the Irish village comedy set in County Donegal
Producer: Adam Bowen
Made for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ for Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2017.
Last on
Broadcasts
- Sat 14 Oct 2017 09:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 14 Oct 2017 19:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 6 Jul 2019 09:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 6 Jul 2019 19:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Sun 18 Oct 2020 13:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Mon 19 Oct 2020 01:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 19 Feb 2022 09:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 19 Feb 2022 19:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra