A fascination with media production began when I was bought an Hitachi portable tape recorder (its contemporary is an Apple iPod). I started recording off television, my favourite television shows, and listening to the sounds back without the picture (mentally envisaging a different version). I would narrate stories and record conversations and sounds. It became a form of education via entertainment.

This acute interest in "the theatre of the mind" also encompassed Radio drama! The catalyst was BBC Radio Four’s dramatisation of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ (1981).

During the second year of the BA (Hons) Media Production degree I specialised in audio and video. And undertook a 10 minute audio documentary. Director Dirk Maggs kindly agreed to an interview concerning his successful comic book to radio adaptations, which included DC Comics' 'Batman: Knightfall' (1994) and 'Superman: Doomsday and Beyond' (1993).
In 1998 Dirk invited me to work on 'The Gemini Apes'. My role as a studio assistant involved foley and sourcing original and prerecorded material from The Soundhouse's extensive recording library. This included original content from Skywalker Sound.
Meeting Christopher Lee (he played the character of Drake) during 'The Gemini Apes' recording sessions, was truly a defining moment. This was prior to his career renaissance in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Star Wars' prequels. He is a gentleman and formidably intelligent. Christopher regaled us with myriad anecdotes. One of which concerned Johnny Depp with whom he was shooting Tim Burton's 'Sleepy Hollow' (1998).
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Buy 'Rungs on a Ladder'. Foreward by Christopher Lee. Buy 'Lord of Misrule', his autobiography.
Fellow cast members included Nic Colicos (son of the late Canadian actor John Colicos who is famous for his commanding roles in sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek), Garrick Hagon (Biggs Darklighter in Star Wars A New Hope), Gary Martin, Lorelei King, Liza Ross, Rupert Degas, Katherine Shannon (the 'voice' of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider game series), Alan Marriott and Simon Treves.
Don't Panic!

In September 2004 BBC Radio Four premiere's the continuation and conclusion of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhicker's Guide To The Galaxy (begun 25 years ago). Life, The Universe And Everything; So Long And Thanks For All The Fish and Mostly Harmless (none of which were originally produced for radio), features Douglas Adams himself, thanks to the wonders of digital technology. Douglas always intended to play the part of Agrajag and recorded himself in the part a few years ago. Douglas Adams chose Dirk Maggs to direct. Visit here for more information.
All material © & the intellectual property of Dirk Maggs unless otherwise indicated. The Gemini Apes (1998) was written, produced and directed by Dirk Maggs. Produced by Audio Movies Ltd for BBC Radio 4. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission. All Rights Reserved. Subject to errors and technical changes.