Silva Screen

The BBC’s Third Programme aired four radio broadcasts between January 1964 and September 1965, collectively known as Inventions for Radio. They were ground- breaking in both form and content, conceived by playwright Barry Bermange and consisting of the voices of the general public answering questions on four themes, one for each programme: dreams, the existence of God, life after death and ageing. At a time when it was unheard of to give a media platform to anyone perceived as being of low socio-economic status, the broadcasts generated many complaints for the “rough” voices of its participants.

Delia Derbyshire was assigned by the Radiophonic Workshop to edit and add electronic music/ effects. The collaborative result is dreamlike and mesmerizing, an audial window to another era. For many years Derbyshire was not credited for her contribution, nor were the broadcasts available commercially, although they still managed to acquire something of a cult following.

December 2023 saw the release of a limited 6 LP set containing the four original broadcasts plus a host of bonus material that was used by Delia Derbyshire in the construction of the sonic backgrounds.

In April 2024, the content of the vinyl set was released as a 6 CD box for Record Store Day.

Now, the four broadcasts are being released digitally in the 60th anniversary year of the first broadcast “The Dreams”.

The original broadcast dates were:

The Dreams January 5, 1964

Amor Dei November 16, 1964

The After-Life April 1, 1965

The Evenings of Certain Lives September 9, 1965