Drama on Newstalk presents - “Changing Coasts” a new radio drama written and directed by Rob Flynn and produced by Bjorn Mac Giolla for Bear Print Media.
It will have its broadcast premiere on Newstalk on Sunday April 30th at 7am, repeated saturday May 6th at 9pm and be available to listen afterwards on the Drama on Newstalk feed on all major podcast platforms.
Set in an Irish coastal town threatened by sea level rise, the story follows two researchers tasked with interviewing the remaining residents about the area's past, present and uncertain future. The researchers hold opposing views about the importance of their work and, as they learn more about the people they meet, their differences of opinion reach breaking point. It is a story set in the near future but very much drawing on the concerns of today, delving into contemporary debates around our relationship with nature, activism, migration and the challenges facing rural communities.
The production was recorded on location in Wicklow and Dublin in late 2022. The creative team come from a background in film and television and one of their goals with the project was to bring a cinematic sensibility to the story. Through recording on location, they were able to capture naturalistic performances and authentic soundscapes, which were later augmented with original music, foley recordings and sound design.
Writer/director Rob Flynn says: “I wanted to examine the potential impacts of climate change on Irish society in a way that felt grounded in the conversations and debates we are having now. Although climate change is a subject often covered in the news, there’s a lot of scope to explore it through fiction storytelling in a compelling and engaging way. Radio drama felt like the ideal medium for this story, as the emphasis on dialogue allowed me to highlight different perspectives on the topic.”
Changing Coasts was performed by Kwaku Fortune (Normal People, Hidden Assets), Geraldine McAlinden (The Last Rifleman, Bad Sisters), Maria McDermottroe (The Dead, Glenroe), Paul Murphy (Aisha), Brian Mulvey (Foundation) and Aleesha Joe (Bad Sisters).
Sound recording was by Stephen McHale, music by Emer Landers and editing by Rob Flynn.
Changing Coasts is a Bear Print Media production funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the television license fee.
