Radio Mansfield’s first live to air radio plays, broadcast earlier this month, were so successful that there are already plans for more next year.

Recreating a past era, the community station organised two radio plays to be performed in front of a live audience of 60 people. They were written by Sandy Fairthorne and Carol Lowden.

Volunteer actors played a cast of 20 characters.

Radio Mansfield’s Ray Sheldrick, Keith Rogers, Rolf Koren and Victoria Wallace were responsible for mixing, technical production and lighting of the live broadcast, which was produced by Colin Rochford.

Jeremy Kaye and Colin Rochford were the narrators.

The inspiration for the radio plays began as a result of play readings in Colin Rochford’s Sunday afternoon radio show on Radio Mansfield.

Writers in the listening area are being encouraged to think of an idea for the next play and join a writing workshop, organised by producer Colin Rochford, in Februray 2020, to develop scripts for the next play.

The Victorian regional community station is very active in its community, including involvement in an Emergencies Expo as the bush fire season approaches. Pictures below.

Station President John Coffey told radioinfo: “We are the local Emergency Broadcaster for a shire that is 120 km long. The station is in the centre with a repeater at north end of shire so we can cover that area very well. We are working towards a repeater in southern end as well so that we can help everyone in the area when fires threaten. We are currently running promos educating people about their fire plans as the hotter weather approaches.”