Saturday 8 November 2008

Middle Ditch 22



A Little White Lie

Jim questions Sarah about the night of the stabbing.
Drake is not allowed to go back to his farm.

This episode features in order of appearance

David Caddy as the Announcer
Keith Walton as Jim
Helen Hardy as Sarah
Jeremy Drake as Farmer Drake

Written and directed by Monique Caddy

72 comments:

Middle Ditch said...

Another excellent performance by Keith, Helen and Jeremy.

The difference it makes to hear the written words perform by such a wonderful cast.

Well done, all of you and thank you for the time given to this radio serial.

Rick said...

I can't believe you did this, Monique! I'm running late for a party at my publisher's and I quickly checked and you have a new episode I have to wait to listen to until I return!

This will drive me crazy waiting. But thanks for posting it and about midnight I'll be logging in again for the pleasure of listening to this episode!

Middle Ditch said...

Sorry Rick, I was on my way to you to inform you and you beat me to it. I'll see you tonight then. It's a date.

Reader Wil said...

It's marvellous Monique! You must enjoy doing it too! Knowing that many people listen to it. Thanks for the visit too!

Middle Ditch said...

Thanks Reader wil, yes I do enjoy writing the episodes but to hear those words perform by such an excellent cast makes it even more enjoyable.

Anonymous said...

Very intriguing, as always.

David Caddy said...

Some excellent deadpan humour.

I remember the laughs we had during the recording session.


Most enjoyable to hear again!

jed said...

A good episode!

jmsjoin said...

I've got to tell you! I have really grown to enjoy these. This is the only time I ever sit and just listen to something and it is always interesting. Love it! I really hope this goes somewhere much further. You deserve more recognition. Good Luck!

David Caddy said...

I am enjoying this episode even more now that I have
posted the correctly edited version! Apologies for my previous error.

Pris said...

Hi Monique
I love the sounds but where are you putting the scripts now? Help? Darn this hearing problem!

Charles Gramlich said...

I agree, "who'll look after me pigs." LOL.

Middle Ditch said...

Aggie, thank you.

David I have to agree here. Specially when Jim jots things down and says the words slowly. Keith does this so well.

Thank you Jed

Middle Ditch said...

Jim, thanks, I have been trying to leave a comment on your blog but somehow blogger boss wouldn't let me. I will try again later.

Pris, thank you for trying to listen. I'm very sorry but I have been advised not to show the scripts to anyone but the cast. I have to heed this advise Pris.

David, apologies accepted.

Charles, poor Drake is not allowed on his farm. Will Jim's men find any evidence?

fizzycat said...

I was suprised to see Jed's comment myself.Wish I knew where to publicise your blog for peak listening.
I believe that 60's flu was really bad.( my mum had it).Only just missed it myself by about 2 years, by the sound of it.You must have a very efficient immune system.
Totally hope one day some scout finds the Middleditch blog and makes you all famous.( Rich too , if you like).

Rick said...

"Why doesn't he use a ring tone?"

"He doesn't know how."

I was at that moment thinking of you as a new Agatha Christie, but when I heard that line I realized again what a wicked sense of humor you have!

Well done, Monique. Well done all.

Spoony Quine said...

If that's what was in the recording, I wonder what the outtakes are like?

Very enjoyable!

Middle Ditch said...

Fiz, you are just too kind.

Rick, thank you. The cast is just wonderful and my writing? I just hope it works each time an episode is recorded.

s e e quine, very few outtakes. Perhaps a mistake edited here and there and some sound effects added where suitable.

Janice Thomson said...

David brings up a good point - you guys must have a blast doing these - I even imagine the odd giggling fit. :)
Another super episode Monique - like a good book I will be sorry when it ends.

Unknown said...

wonderful and fun Monique. I do worry about the welfare of those pigs. they need good parents.

Middle Ditch said...

Good Girl, thank you.

Janice, yes we do have fun. The cast is also very welcoming and supportive to a new member. They do everything to put him or her at ease. I also hope that it will be a long time before this ends.

Ricardo, I have a feeling that Jim's men will look after those pigs really well.

Thank you all for visiting.

David Caddy said...

Hi Janice,

Yes, during the rehearsal of this episode everyone had the giggles when Jim said 'In the wardrobe' in a slow and deliberate way. It set the comedy off very well and allowed everyone to enjoy being part of the day's recordings.

Hi Ricardo,

Drake is passionate about his pigs. I think the local police would arrange feeding during Drake's absence.

Anne Lyken-Garner said...

I love to hear the episodes, the sounds brings them alive. However, I love reading them more, I think.

That way, I can put my own imagination into it. Where are the written scripts Monique? Please let us have them too.

I love the humour, and I wonder if you have to do your lines several times before you tape them, as they all fitted in so smooothly.

I know that in TV, we do several takes (unlike on stage - this is why I still think stage acting is superior to anything done on televison), before it's suitable for a 'buy.'

Is this the way it is? Or is everyone as professional as they sound ;-)
Are the sound effects real, or are they played on a dvd somewhere in the background.

Superb work, as usual.

Best,
Anne

Monique said...

Hi Anne, I shall try to answer each question.

As this is radio, I am very, very reluctant to show the scripts. Eventually I might want to publish them. I also have been advised not to show them to anyone but the cast, advice I will heed.

We send the scripts several weeks before recording to the cast for rehearsing and familiarizing with the script. On the day of recording we rehears first to iron out any difficulties. Also a line or word might be changed on the request of the actor. The rehearsal usually is full of laughter.

Then we record the episode.

During recording one can make a mistake. Often the actor will say "Sorry" when he or she fluffs a line to indicate to the others that he or she will say the line again. Later the fluffed line is cut from the track. Sometimes, when we listen to the episode after recording, an actor might like to do a line again and we record that line on a second track. During editing we cut out the original line and slot in the new line stored on the second track.

We like to make our own sound effects during recording but we usually add later other sound effects we have stored to make it more realistic.

Thanks for listening Anne, and I hope that all your questions are answered satisfactory.

darkfoam said...

in the bed? ... let me jot this down....
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Middle Ditch said...

Foam, I know ... Keith does this so well. We are all in fits of giggles when he reads those lines.

Anne Lyken-Garner said...

Yes Monique, thanks for that.

Middle Ditch said...

You're welcome Anne.

Michelle said...

Fantastic, Monique!

Middle Ditch said...

Michelle, thank you so much for visiting.

Chris Benjamin said...

gotta feel for a guy like Drake, simple and straightforward.

i wonder if this was what old-time radio was like? they're engrossing.

Middle Ditch said...

Hi Benji, poor Drake eh? He can't look after his beloved pigs as his farm is a crime scene, thanks to Mrs Wood blabbing. At least he can stay at the pub for now and yes Middle Ditch has been compared with old time radio.

Thanks for listening.

David John Caswell said...

Dear Monique,
It's good to be back, great episode. I will be checking on the others I have missed over the next day or two!
David

Monique said...

Hi David, we have missed you. It's great to see you again.

raccoonlover1963/Lisa Myers said...

Hi Monique. sorry it took me so long to get to your blog. Great episode!
Thanks for visiting while I was away. Hopefully, I'll be able to post tonight.
Have a great week.
Lisa

X. Dell said...

Really interesting. I like some of the plot twists here, especially in regards to Alan's fate and John's time in SA.

I love it that Sarah is duplicitous as always, and that makes her a funny character. She might not be the most likeable critter on Earth, but she's consistent.

Monique said...

Hey Lisa, great to see you. Thanks for listening.

Monique said...

X dell, I just love writing that character Sarah. She is such an innocent sounding schemer and always gets away with it. Helen plays her so well. I have great plans for her in the future.

KB said...

Enjoyable as always!

Middle Ditch said...

KB, thanks for your visit and your comment.

Unknown said...

Brilliant performance! So glad I've finally been able to get the clips to play!

Middle Ditch said...

Absolute Vanilla, I'm really pleased that you can follow the story now.

jed said...

I hope to be looking after my pigs as soon as possible.

I wonder what developments there will be for Sarah?
She's a great character!

Rick said...

When is the next episode, Monique? I'm experiencing Middle Ditch withdrawal!

Monique said...

Hi Jed, thanks for the comment. As for looking after the pigs? Well, I don't know. You are a suspect and your farm is turned over by the coppers trying to find any trace of Cassidy.

Monique said...

Rick, we are most probably posting the next episode over the coming weekend. You just have to sit tight and I promise you that it is going to be well worth the wait.

Unknown said...

Moniquie where is that accent of your from from? I asked over on my blog but it's killing me now so I'm asking here too. I can't take it. I had you pegged for french or french canadian. But I am wrong. I must know.

Xeevo said...

Hi - just subscribed to the show and enjoying it immensely.

Great work.

http://rikoneill.wordpress.com/

Middle Ditch said...

Ricardo, I'm Dutch. I grew up in Holland, my family is there, I lived there for 27 years, met my husband there and now have been in Dorset, England for 29 years.

Middle Ditch said...

Rik, welcome to Middle Ditch, quirky tales of village life. I'm glad that you are enjoying this.

Xeevo said...

Thanks for stopping by Monique - much appreciated. My first steps into blogging have gone well and the links you provided will be very useful! It is reassuring to know there is a community of writers online.

I've added Middle Ditch and your script blog to my site - in an attempt to do my bit re: spreading word of your work.

I am attending a Northwest Vision seminar next month for companies operating in the online space. Middle Ditch in particular is an example, I feel, of an "epic". It proves that online media does not have to confine itself to short-form drama/comedy.

Those who have the passion and the vision can create something quite sweeping, as I feel you have done.

Keep at it and I look forward to the next installment!

Middle Ditch said...

Rik, thank you for your very kind words. I will shortly return the favour and add you to my links, if that is alright with you.

Middle Ditch is wonderful to write and we have great fun recording it. Helen Hardy, who plays Sarah, and David, who plays Howard are excellent editors and are dab hand in adding the sound effects. Everybody in the cast gives his or her time for free and usually, after each recording session, we all go out for a meal at our local pub and discuss future story lines and development of the serial.

The next installment should be online this coming weekend.

Xeevo said...

Cheers Monique - I'd appreciate you adding me to you links, that would be great.

My blog shouldn't read as invite only though, it certainly wasn't my intention, I wonder if there's something in Wordpress I need to click to change the status?

If you have a moment, could you drop me a line and let me know where it said invite only?

Cheers

Middle Ditch said...

Rik, I answered on yours. Problem solved. I add you as soon as I can.

Cheers for now

Unknown said...

DUTCH!!! would have never guessed!!! I've always wanted to visit Amsterdam. Ricardo can get into a lot of trouble there as you know. And let us not forget the Hague!!!It seems like a wonderful place all around and I have heard that there are armies of tall beautiful blondes. I think I would do well there when it comes to meeting women. Let me know your thoughts on that so I can start planning my trip and can blog about the nice dutch girls I meet. LOL!

Monique said...

Yes Ricardo, I wouldn't let you loose in Amsterdam, but I have read that the red light district is gradually closing down and that the coffee shops are also diminishing. Having said that, it is a beautiful city to visit as is The Hague or, as we call it in Holland, Den Haag. Where do the English and the American get those names from? Like Flushing, which is really named Vlissingen? Tall blonde girls are plenty everywhere, even here in Britain.

Unknown said...

Closing down!?!? Really? All for the better I'm sure in the long run. However I don't think it will ever totally go away. I would need an ankle bracelet or monitoring device if let loose in that town. I would be found knocked out in an alley somewhere but I'd have plenty to blog about.

Monique, there are beautiful women and there are Dutch women!! LOL! One of my readers recomends I find a nice British girl as he was from there but now lives in Canada.

I have no idea why we change the names like that. A funny story, when I first got my apartment, I called it The Hague as I wantd it to be a international center for culture and development and not just an apartment. I was not serious but it bewildered people and I enjoyed doing that very much in the midst of conversation because I go off on silly whims that way.

Monique said...

Ricardo, in a way it is a real shame that the red light district is probably closing down. It is an unique feature of Amsterdam. Not just that though. The girls working there have free medical check-ups, protection and free advice as to where to go from there.

The coffee shops too were great to visit and controlled the illegal trade by legally selling soft drugs.

I have to admit also that the Dutch women are much better looking and much freer than the British.

Perhaps it is the same where you are. Often people think that certain things are only happening in Britain whereas I know that the same problems are everywhere.

To call an apartment The Hague sounds pretty cool to me.

Unknown said...

The dutch women are indeed much more free as I was the target of one who was here in the states as an au pair. She picked me up at the bar and it was the most facinating role reversal ever for me. I've never had a woman as forward and friendly as the dutch girl i met. I loved it. Years later I read that they are all mostly like that and there are less games and such. I then realized that I must go there at least once to live it all again which I think I could. And as uou well know, I don't mind the being free in other respects either. It was just a very different style that was something you can never get here in the US.

the Hague is no more. I now call it the flop house.

Unknown said...

And yes, Dutch women are gorgeous!!!! Like you Moniquie.

;-)

Unknown said...

And yes, Dutch women are gorgeous!!!! Like you Moniquie.

;-)

Monique said...

The flop house!! Not bad!

I do get in trouble here at times as I do speak my mind and don't hint as the British like to do.
My husband is used to it but sometimes a new friend or stranger doesn't always appreciate this. Do visit. You wont regret.

As for me being gorgeous? I'm way past it now. You would not look twice at me if you would pass me in the streets. Mind you, I would, passing you.

Unknown said...

You are too kind and also too hard on yourself Moniquie!! But right there is what I got from the dutch womaan I met way back when. Complimented me on things no american girl would notice. You're wonderful, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

The hinting game can get very boring very quickly. There is no hinting here in the US, just a lot of hiding and then expecting others to be psychic. Very frustrating. I am waiting for the Euro to fall a bit before I do any trips. The british pound is simply too high to exchange for the dollar.

David Caddy said...

I think that Randolph Minton, Middle Ditch's local M.P.,
has some interesting ideas and intimate knowledge of the local sex industry. Of course, all of this is a long way from his public image!

Unknown said...

We all have our deep and dark sides David. LOL! Will we see an erotic spinoff show called "Randolph Minton's Hidden Erotica" or "The Mintion Diaries?" Now that has big hit written all over it David.

Rick said...

Monique, I forget who asked about them, but will you one day be posting a collection of out-takes? And, how goes it for the CD production?

Monique said...

Ricardo thank you. I shall definitely think about writing that.

David, thank you for that comment.

Rick, no final decision about out takes and we are still in talks about a CD.

Unknown said...

I get 50% of all the millions you make off of it. LOL!

Monique said...

Ricardo, I will post the next episode on Saturday and I'm sure that you are going to enjoy that one.

Millions? Me??? No way!!!

lol

Devin said...

'What about me pigs', I bet he's up to no good in South Africa'-'my mobile is vibrating' hehehehe:-)
Love Middle Ditch best to all of you!

Middle Ditch said...

Thank you Devin ... Always great to see you

bestoffrm said...

It's marvellous Monique! You must enjoy doing it too! Knowing that many people listen to it. Thanks for the visit too!
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