Episode 1: The Play

Show Notes

Episode 1 features the William Head on Stage team performing 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 -- a radio play set in the 1940s, in the tundra. Researcher buddies Norman and Paul think they can invent a time machine: the Hypercucambulator. In a remote cabin up North, they marvel at the sky-paintings of the Northern Lights as they test out their machine, honestly, not expecting all that much, when an unexpected visitor brings a scientific discovery greater than they had bargained for. This news blows apart everything they thought they knew about the North -- and what sub-zero really means. Their audio recorder captures it all in this science-fiction radio play originally written in 1949 by Wyllis Cooper.

Radio play 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 written by Wyllis Cooper.

Creative writing, commercials, and commentary created by incarcerated artists Midnight, Paul Dark, Dr. Percy, and The Captain.

Edited by Kathleen Greenfield.

Workshop facilitation and additional voices by Anne Cirillo, Kathleen Greenfield, Ingrid Hansen, Jeni Luther, and Kate Rubin.

Dark Traveller cover art by Carolyn Moon as part of our pen-pal art exchange between ‘outside’ and incarcerated artists.

What is Dark Traveller?

𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 is the first-ever podcast created by incarcerated artists in Canada. Voice acting, audio commentary, and homemade sound effects are performed by the team of actors who are incarcerated at William Head Prison in Victoria, BC. William Head on Stage Prison Theatre Company (WHoS) has staged a play for the public every fall for the last 40 years. This is their first-ever radio play, recorded inside the institution during the pandemic lockdown. The podcast features the team performing the radio play 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, along with commentary, creative writing, mock commercials, and an original sequel written and recorded by the artists.