This week we feature a very special story and private-eye noir mystery: “The Maltese Falcon,” performed by the cast of Fake Radio with guest Lynne Stewart!
While most podcasts and audio productions posted on Fictional Café have scripted and edited content, Fake Radio is one of the brave – and few – that insist on recording all their productions LIVE!
The Maltese Falcon is Dashiell Hammett’s 1930 novel featuring his hard-boiled private eye, Sam Spade. In “old-time radio” plays, actors often were given a script and expected to put on the show for their listeners with very little rehearsal time, often having to improvise their way out of any mistakes.
“The Maltese Falcon” has been made into a motion picture four times and several radio and audio adaptations as well. The Fake Radio version is based upon the Academy Award Theater radio adaptation, which itself is an adaptation of the most successful film version, and stars Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor and Sydney Greenstreet reprising their film roles.
David Koff, Fake Radio’s artistic director since 2003, insists that all his company’s radio plays follow the same format, with the exception of sound checks to ensure good audio quality during the performance. Since all the actors have scripts, improvisation is encouraged in order to keep the shows “fresh and new” every single time.
Some might consider such a concept a quick way to lose the audience. But ten years later, with 100+ performances under their belt, not only is Fake Radio still alive and kicking, but they have grown in popularity and now host shows in theaters in and around Portland, Oregon and in Los Angeles, California.
So if you enjoy our presentation, we encourage you to catch a live show with the Fake Radio Acting Troupe and watch them perform in person. We assure you, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
For more information on Fake Radio, please check out their website, where you can find information on their upcoming shows, listen to more episodes, and check out behind-the-scenes photos!
Happy Listening,
Ruby Fink, your Audio Arts Barista
Presented in five episodes. Please click the arrows on the left to listen.
