Marconi & Me by Zoë Comyns

A podcast producer finds a set of code books. They are the Marconi International Code books. They contain 500 pages of 5-letter codes and their translations. The main character starts to read the codes obsessively and twist them into her own life story. In themselves the codes form extraordinarily poetic lists.The innovative drama charts a crumbling relationship from its origins, via a history of sound, telegraphy and communication, Marconi's telegraphic work in Ireland and a flight into family madness.

Written and narrated by Zoë Comyns.

Performed by Zoë Comyns and José Miguel Jiménez

Additional roles voiced by Nathalie Cazaux, Michael Comyns, Leo Oosterweghel,

Oliver Hochadel, Kerstin Acquaviva, Jesper Bergmann and Dora Vargha.

Extra recordings by Colette Kinsella

Sound Design by Brendan Rehill, Brendan Jenkinson, and Damian Chennells

Sound Supervision by Damian Chennells

Producer for RTÉ: Kevin Brew

Producer for New Normal Culture: Zoë Comyns

Series Producer, RTÉ Drama On One: Kevin Reynolds

The original text was published in the Australian journal The Lifted Brow under the title 'Owing to the Failure Of.’ An early version of the piece was performed at Hearsay International Audio Arts Festival and at Dublin Fringe Festival 2018, with direction by Caitriona McLaughlin

Marconi & Me was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Sound & Vision Fund with the Television Licence Fee.

First TXs

8pm, 21st April, RTÉ Radio 1 Extra

8pm, 24 April, RTÉ Radio 1

Duration: 45'38