Episode 1 10.45 – 11 am & 7:45 – 8 pm 26 March 2018
This powerful drama traces the days leading up to Jesus’s death, from the perspective of the young man you never hear from: Judas.
Multi award winning writer Lucy Gannon gives us a very personal take on these tempestuous days.
Judas of Kerioth followed Jesus all through His ministry, hearing revolutionary and inspiring teaching, seeing miracles, and part of an intimate team. Like the other apostles, he gave up everything to follow this simple teacher, and yet, with the kiss of friendship, he betrayed the man he loved and who loved him.
It’s poetic, and punchy, and grabs you by the heart. Judas, always an outsider, struggles to weigh his love for his brothers against growing rage and resentments, and ultimately – of course – loses everything.
Judas, always an outsider, struggles to weigh his love for his Master against growing impatience and doubts. While Jesus preaches submission, Judas longs to rise up and overthrow Rome
A fierce young rebel desperate to overthrow Rome, Judas begins to doubt his Master’s teaching, and an idea begins to take hold of him, to raise money for the cause. At least, that’s what he tells himself.
Looking forward to listening, shame that each episode is so short. However, if it's anything like the usual "15 minute theatre" type of thing, it'll really play a punch - and with any luck be on every Easter for years to come.
We now have an episode guide for Judas, which has been added to the top post, along with fuller cast and production credits.
Each episode airs on BBC Radio 4 twice a day from Monday, in the morning and the evening - 10.45 - 11 am and 7.45 - 8pm (apart from ep 3, which airs at 10.41 am). Good news as it gives more people a chance to listen, even though it will also be on catchup.
Just a reminder: as with all Damien's radio projects, Judas will be available to listen live and on demand WORLDWIDE on the BBC radio iplayer.
Damien is back on the radio in JUST 2 DAYS! In case you missed it, each episode is broadcast twice a day and is available to listen worldwide. Who is tuning in?
oh, the new update is a bit more spectacular. I think that's a really interesting topic and I definitely want to listen to it. Although I'm still considering hearing it at the end of the week in one piece.
I'm totally enthralled, really looking forward to the remaining episodes.
I love that Damien is definitely the main character/narrator and that it's not the usual casted drama. There is just enough interaction from the others to make it different.
Damien has a voice that is perfect for radio - it is distinctive, expressive and clear.
I will admit to shedding a tear when the leper was cured.
This has a good time slot in the morning, too, coming at the end of Women's Hour. Now it just needs to translate into the Beeb giving him a starring role in a really good tv drama.
I do hope that someone puts this on YouTube so I can hear it anytime I want to, selfish of me I know.
Is it weird that I always listen to plays on the radio with my eyes closed?
Awesome that you were able to listen to the first instalment Ellie, loved reading your thoughts, enthralled is a great thing to be and it was the same for me. And no - it's not weird you listen with your eyes closed, more immersive, more space for the imagination to participate in creating a visual for the drama if that is what it is given to do... in a way that is different for all of us and one of the many beautiful things about radio drama. I listen with headphones and had a great visual of the streets and costumes in this episode.
In the synopsis, Judas is described as punch and poetic and this is certainly how I experienced the first episode. I wasn't expecting Judas to be so openly cynical in his narrative at the beginning, his honesty is captivating. In the last perhaps minute the language becomes utterly poetic and for me emotional, when Judas describes, despite himself and his inner struggle, his reaction to Jesus's words. And of course, Damien's delivery of the language in the drama is what carries that magnetic intensity.
Yes, I'm really enjoying this. Damien is excellent, his range of emotions displayed only vocally exceptional. Today the loaves and the fishes - and I totally agree with Judas they could have sold the excess and not be dependent on the charity of others. Ditto the anointing of Jesus' feet with the expensive perfume.
I've always found Judas interesting. Free will or predestination? One (of two) of those things that can be argued over for a very long time. I'm inclined towards the predestination side, by the way.
My class in junior school was told by our parish priest (a Rev Bernard Stronge, a lovely Irish priest from Galway) that it was possible that there was actually no-one in hell. When we asked him "What about Hitler, surely he's in hell?" he said that who went to heaven or hell was up to God and that forgiveness could be granted if someone truly repented even in the last fraction of a second before they died. So I've never really believed that Judas went to hell.
I'm listening to this every day, then on Good Friday I'm listening to the last episode in the morning then every episode one after the other after afternoon mass.
Thanks for continuing to share your thoughts Ellie. Yes the loaves and fishes - I continue to be more struck by the conflict in Judas and the intensity, intimacy and emotion in that, the conversation with the audience and Judas sharing his own story as a more sympathetic (than history would have it) character, than the actual story per se. And how Lucy Gannon truly is a remarkable writer (well we all know this anyway).
I hope everyone else is managing to listen, live or on catchup?
Just a reminder, today's morning episode is on at the slightly earlier time of 10.41, but the evening repeat is still 7.45 pm. ( Check the times in your timezone here )
So, of course I could not wait and heard yesterday Part 1 and 2.
Wow, it's not what I expected with me either. I was not aware that Damien almost speaks alone. And I always have to say how fascinated I am by his voice. The story has captivated me very much and it actually has a very different view of things that came across very vividly to me, because Damien makes it so convincing and moving.
I will definitely listen to the third part today.
And I also listen with my eyes closed, preferably on the sofa. I have to concentrate a bit more to understand everything. But luckily I can understand Damien well here.
Of course not Sana! No one could be expected to resist the urge
Yes Damien carries the whole drama, like you I was not expecting it to be largely just him, what a treat!
It really is a spellbinding combination of performance and writing, held my breath through much of episode 3 this morning, and about to listen again to the repeat this evening.
Episode three, the sellers at the temple, Judas and thirty pieces of silver. I actually laughed at the sellers in the temple - until recently my friend Sadie sold eggs in the repository at the back of the church. I find Judas interesting, really understand where he's coming from. Doesn't mean I condone what he did, just that I understand why he did it. Makes me wonder what I would do under the same circumstances. Like domino and Sana, I like that this is Damien centred.
I've just edited the post as there were asterisks instead of letters for part of one word. Couldn't understand why, then realised the word had another one as part of its makeup. The word was for the sound you make when you give a sneaky little laugh . Naturally, my reaction was to giggle (allowed word).
-- Edited by EllieForster on Thursday 29th of March 2018 09:58:06 AM
Judas - powerful, poetic, poignant, painfully beautiful, moving, heartrending, spellbinding... A really truly stunning drama, for me equal parts down to the writing and Damien's staggering performance. A true showcase for his unique and magnetic talent.
A truly wonderful treat for Holy Week. Damien is brilliant, takes you on the journey of discovery that Judas makes about himself.
I enjoyed listening on a daily basis, but the best way was via iPlayer today when I listened to all five episodes one after the other. I would love the BBC to string then all together as a 75 minute drama but unfortunately can't see that happening. Have my fingers crossed that it becomes an Easter staple on a yearly basis, though!
Damien has done a lot of radio work so far this year, which has been lovely. He has a beautiful, distinctive, expressive voice.