Vexation Audio

In the first of our showcase series of articles – we’ve chosen to focus on audio producer “Dark Smile”.
Dark Smile Website

“Dark Smile Productions are valiantly fighting to keep the flame of genuine quality audio theatre alive. In a world dominated by the tyranny of the image they will not let the most potent storytelling medium be overlooked.”
Dirk Maggs

Dark Smile has a diverse range of shows in its cataogue, from spine chilling supernatural tales, to sci-fi, drama, documentaries and more! They have shows available on CD or to listen online. Their most recent show is the excellent sci-fi pilot:

You can also listen to their ongoing series (in collaboration with Made In Manchester and The Independent) on The Independent website. Here are the direct links and a quick blurb on each show:

Turing’s Test Listen Now

Turing’s Test examines the scientist’s legacy in the field of artificial intelligence and the personal tragedy of his suicide through a deathbed dialogue with a “machine” played by actor Paul Kendrick.

Suzie Pugh and the Monster Too Listen Now

It was very very nearly, almost just about the time for Christmas, and far above the birds and the clouds and the aeroplanes – something was coming to earth. Something big and wobbly and incredibly strange…

Death In Genoa Listen Now

In the week of the 109th anniversary of Oscar Wilde’s death, The Independent is giving you an exclusive chance to listen to and download a new drama by Made in Manchester/Dark Smile, written by Thomas Wright, about the 19th Century writer, wit and raconteur.

We hope you enjoy Dark Smile’s output. And don’t forget to follow them on Facebook

Stay tuned for a future episode of “The Nothing Chronicle” and our “audio round-up” of the shows we’ve been listening to, including some of Dark Smile’s work!

Not a new episode – sorry about that. We have a show recorded (just need to edit it!). In the meantime, I thought I’d post up this Star Trek Online Audio Short.

 

 Star Trek Online - Audio Short [02:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

What can I say – I’m excited about Star Trek Online and when I learned about The Hailing Frequency competition to win a copy I just had to take a shot at it! This audio short is my entry.

Hailing Frequency by the way is a brilliant Star Trek website that’s doing a ton of stuff about STO at the moment. Honestly, some of the stuff they’re running with live broadcasts, chat and user interaction is pretty incredible – must take a ton of technical know-how and organisational skill.

Be sure to visit the mighty Hailing Frequency

Rik

DISCLAIMER: This short uses sound effects and music from the Star Trek shows and movies – and is therefore breaking the law. However, it should be considered “fan-fiction” (my first attempt at this!) and from what I understand the Star Trek People (hey you guys!) are fairly relaxed about fans creating work that includes licenced material – so long as it’s non-profit – which this is.

If you Star Trek legal bogs (hi there!) have any problems – the mp3 can be taken down quite easily.

Our eNewletter has just gone live, so this is our hello – thanks for subscribing! We promise to keep you up to date with all our shows and related endeavours, online or off it!

It’s gonna be fun! Like a fun quest…or something.

Rik & Mat

The creative directors of Vexation Audio have noticed that the majority of their listeners are male – 91% of them in-fact!

While we like men, with their one conversational topic of football and their interest in drinking beer, we also like women – due to their knowledge of handbags and colourful mobile phones.

If you’re a lady listener of Vexation Audio, please let all your girlfriends know about us! We’re in touch with our emotions and between us we can cook two and a half tasty, restaurant quality dishes – spaghetti bolognese, chicken curry and half a lasagne.

Nova Star Hunters review by Alexa Chipman HERE. Alexa also writes and produces her own show HMS Lydia. There are thousands of people producing audio shows online just for you – a great place to start finding some would be The Audio Drama Directory

New shining light of comedy (MP Harriet Harman) wows another audience.

A Not The BBC extra.

 

 New Stand-Up - Harriet Harman [01:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Science Fiction. This show contains some language and themes that may be unsuitable for younger listeners.

 

 Episode Four: The Boomerang Of Time [31:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The metaverse hots up in the season finale of Nova Star Hunters…coming soon!

 

 Nova Star Hunters - Episode 4 Trailer [2:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The first trailer for Nova Star Hunters brings new listeners up to date on the story in the run up to the release of Episode Four.

 

 Nova Star Hunters - Story Trailer [02:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Rik attempts to give structure to the show and Mat does his very best to de-rail that notion. A trio of fairly mundane topics surprise us by giving rise to some remotely stimulating discussion! For us perhaps only! We’re certainly enjoying ourselves doing these podcasts…it’s addictive, like those computer games the young people play! Or so I’m told.

We cover:

The memories of the early games we played – and how they compare to the current fare.
Is Bill Gates having a laugh?
And the joys of PC World?

In three nice, neat segments.

That’ll be the day…

 

 Part Time Gamers Three [01:20:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download