Metropolis
About this episode
The episode explores the themes of identity and societal disruption in the context of the classic story 'Metropolis'.
Freder is an underworked "captain" in a high level position in the futuristic consumer society of the mega-city named Metropolis. Feeling suicidal, but unable to understand why, Freder switches identities with a low level "product insertion" - a kind of telemarketing. Failing at that, Freder soon finds himself working for Maria, an imperfect beauty with all the answers. Maria plunges Freder into the depths of her underground conspiracy to disrupt the workings of society. Thea von Harbou's 1925 novel became husband Fritz Lang's 1927 silent movie classic. Its terrifying vision of the future was born in an age of booming heavy industry. Peter Straughan's new version finds its hero, caught up in a nightmarish world all too recognisably drawn from the one we find ourselves in today. Freddy ....... Edward Hogg Maria ....... Tracy Wiles Josaphat ....... Damian Lynch Schmale ....... Peter Marinker With: Kim Wall Elizabeth Bell Anthony Glennon Liz Sutherland Jacqueline Cloake Thomas Wheatley Director: Toby Swift First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2006.
People in this episode
Guests: Edward Hogg, Tracy Wiles, Damian Lynch, Peter Marinker
Topics covered
- futuristic society
- identity switch
- underground conspiracy
- silent film
- heavy industry
- consumerism
Keywords
- Metropolis
- Fritz Lang
- Thea von Harbou
- silent movie
- identity
- conspiracy
- futuristic society
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: BBC Radio 4
Books & works: Metropolis
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