Drama in Silent Rooms. A History of Radio Drama in Australia from 1920s to 1970s - Peter Philp

Drama in Silent Rooms is the history of the Australian radio drama - play and serial, produced by the ABC, commercial radio networks and independent radio production studios. Drama in Silent Rooms covers the radio drama story from day one, when the first play was produced in Melbourne by 3LO and concludes with the final broadcast of Australia's most famous serial, Blue Hills. However an epilogue is included of every event that has occurred in radio drama up until 2016.

The story is told by the leading actors, writers, producers and management of production studios., people like Ruth Cracknell, Rod Taylor, Dinah Shearing, Lyndall Barbour, Leonard Teale, Bud Tingwell, Patricia Kennedy, Morris West, Donovan Joyce,and Grace Gibson. The author has also been given rare access to personal letters and documents from key players in the radio drama industry.

Drama in Silent Rooms documents the social, political land industrial events that shaped this industry. The author argues that the Australian radio play and serial was far greater than mass entertainment: It was a legitimate form of art. The Australian radio actor was regarded as the best in world and that is why actors from Britain, US and Canada came to Sydney and Melbourne to play in our radio productions. Australian radio drama had an international distribution market.

Drama in Silent Rooms is also a registry of every major radio play and serial made; has an extensive index and lists all major awards presented during its era.

Drama in Silent Rooms is a story for those who want to read about their favourite popular serials; those interested in the serious classical productions and students who wish to study this extraordinary period. The author describes Australian radio drama as ' as a unique cultural and artistic moment in Australia's history'.