The legendary Orson Welles brings us his production of DRACULA circa 1938. Welles voices the lead of Bram Stoker's iconic story in this vintage radio adaptation.
The Mercury Theater's inventive cast and Welles' extraordinary storytelling make this classic radio drama an unforgettable experience.
This is golden age radio programming at its finest. Grab a drink and sit back to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of vampires, suspense, and horror.
ABOUT WELLES' MERCURY THEATER
In 1937, Welles and the Mercury company earned a reputation for their inventive adaptation of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar set in contemporary Fascist Italy.
They moved on to productions of The Shoemaker's Holiday, Heartbreak House, Too Much Johnson and Danton's Death in 1938. In 1939 Five Kings was produced along with The Green Goddess. The last theatrical production of the company was Native Son in 1941.
Welles had already worked extensively in radio drama, playing the title character in The Shadow for a year and directing a seven-part adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, both for the Mutual Broadcasting System.
In 1938, he was offered a chance to direct his own weekly, hour-long radio series, initially promoted as First Person Singular. However, this title was never announced on the air. Radio Guide initially mentioned the series' debut as Mercury Theatre before later listing it as The Mercury Theatre on the Air.
Welles insisted his Mercury company — actors and crew — be involved in the radio series.
This was an unprecedented and expensive request, especially for one so young as Welles (he was only 23 at the time of airing Mercury Theater).
Most episodes of Mercury Theater Radio dramatized works of classic and contemporary literature. It remains perhaps the most highly regarded radio drama anthology series ever broadcast, most likely due to the creativity of Orson Welles.
------------------------------------------
Thank you for your interest in The Bod..
