Now That's a Clever Plot!

Radio drama is still a hugely enjoyable form of entertainment, drawing the listener in to enjoy intense action and scenes painted by the combination of skilled writing, versatile voice actors plus clever sound effects and music. One type of radio drama still very popular is the detective serial. Cathy Adamson, a member of Howe Rotary Club (seen here on right with fellow member Amanda Fleet) has been an avid listener since her teens and particularly enjoys hearing repeats of probably the most famous of such radio serials Paul Temple. Cathy entertained us tonight by giving a lively talk titled The Wonderful World of Paul Temple & Steve.

Outlining the history of the series from its origins in the late nineteen thirties through to the most recent broadcasts in 2013, she brought the lead characters - Paul Temple, professional author turned successful amateur sleuth, and his wife, known as Steve - to life illustrating the clothes, fashions and places where the fictitious couple worked among the high and low life of London. A glamorous world of Mayfair flats, fast cars, air travel, frequent drinking of cocktails – all sophisticated stuff then and even today! Each episode ended with a cliffhanger, a Mr. Big in the background, and numerous suspects linked to him. Dangers are always spotted just in the nick of time so that the husband and wife team succeed where conventional methods would not!