Foundation Trilogy
This BBC Radio production of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy was originally broadcast between 6th May and 24th June 1973. It was adapted by Patrick Tull (episodes 1 to 4) and Mike Stott (episodes 5 to 8), and directed by David Cain.
Originally published as a series of eight short stories in Astounding Science Fiction magazine between May 1942 and January 1950, the first four stories in the series were subsequently collected, along with a new story taking place before the others, in a single volume published by Gnome Press in 1951 as Foundation. The remainder of the stories were published in pairs by Gnome as Foundation and Empire (1952) and Second Foundation (1953). The series won the one-time Hugo Award for "Best All-Time Series" in 1966.
The premise of the story is that mathematician Hari Seldon spends his life developing a branch of mathematics known as psychohistory, a concept of mathematical sociology. It can predict the future, but only on a large scale. Seldon foresees the imminent fall of the Galactic Empire and a dark age lasting 30,000 years, before a second great empire arises. Seldon's calculations also show there is a way to limit this interregnum to just one thousand years.
Seldon creates a foundation of talented artisans and engineers at the extreme end of the galaxy, to preserve and expand on humanity's collective knowledge, and thus become the foundation for a new galactic empire. He also establishes a second foundation of psychohistorians, of which little is known, to build on his work further and to keep the better known first foundation on its intended course.
Unfortunately, an unknown outsider known as The Mule begins taking over planets belonging to the Foundation at a rapid pace. When the Foundation comes to realise the Mule was not foreseen in Seldon's plan, and there is no predicted way of defeating him, an expedition sets out to find the Second Foundation, hoping to bring an end to the Mule's reign.
Originally published as a series of eight short stories in Astounding Science Fiction magazine between May 1942 and January 1950, the first four stories in the series were subsequently collected, along with a new story taking place before the others, in a single volume published by Gnome Press in 1951 as Foundation. The remainder of the stories were published in pairs by Gnome as Foundation and Empire (1952) and Second Foundation (1953). The series won the one-time Hugo Award for "Best All-Time Series" in 1966.
The premise of the story is that mathematician Hari Seldon spends his life developing a branch of mathematics known as psychohistory, a concept of mathematical sociology. It can predict the future, but only on a large scale. Seldon foresees the imminent fall of the Galactic Empire and a dark age lasting 30,000 years, before a second great empire arises. Seldon's calculations also show there is a way to limit this interregnum to just one thousand years.
Seldon creates a foundation of talented artisans and engineers at the extreme end of the galaxy, to preserve and expand on humanity's collective knowledge, and thus become the foundation for a new galactic empire. He also establishes a second foundation of psychohistorians, of which little is known, to build on his work further and to keep the better known first foundation on its intended course.
Unfortunately, an unknown outsider known as The Mule begins taking over planets belonging to the Foundation at a rapid pace. When the Foundation comes to realise the Mule was not foreseen in Seldon's plan, and there is no predicted way of defeating him, an expedition sets out to find the Second Foundation, hoping to bring an end to the Mule's reign.
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Episode 1: Psychohistory and Encyclopedia
The Galactic Empire is doomed, the seeds of its destruction having been sown by itself. Only the great psychologist and mathematician, Hari Seldon, has both the foresight and the knowledge to save the Galaxy from thousands of years of barbarism. First broadcast: 6 May, 1973. Original Story by Isaac Asimov (adapted by Patrick Tull). Cast: Encyclopedic read-out: David Valla; Hari Seldon: William Eedle; Gaal Dornick: Geoffrey Beevers; Advocate: Heron Carvic; Salvor Hardin: Lee Montague; Yohan Lee: John Hollis; Lewis Pirenne: Roy Spencer; Anselm Rodric: Rolf Lefebvre; Lord Dorwin: Ronald Herdman; Tomaz Sutt: Brian Haines; Jord Fara: John Rowe. |
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Episode 2: The Mayors
Hari Seldon has disclosed the real purpose of the Foundation and Salvor Hardin has taken the initiative. His government controls Terminus and the surrounding worlds — but he is threatened. First broadcast: 13 May 1973. Original Story by Isaac Asimov (adapted by Patrick Tull). Cast: Salvor Hardin: Lee Montague; Yohan Lee: John Hollis; Set Sermak: John Samson; Verisof: William Fox; Dokor Walto: William Sleigh; Theo Aporat: Michael Kilgarriff; Wienis: Francis De Wolff; Lepold I: Terry Scully; Hari Seldon: William Eedle. |
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Episode 3: The Merchant Princes
The Foundation's power and influence is spreading inwards from the rim of the Galaxy. The conflict between those who conquer by Trade and those who conquer by Religion is joined. First broadcast: 20 May 1973. Original Story by Isaac Asimov (adapted by Patrick Tull). Cast: Hober Mallow: Julian Glover; Jorane Sutt: Anthony Jackson; Ankor Jael: Peter Williams; Jaim Twer: Robin Browne; Comdor Asper: Fraser Kerr; Commdora Licia: Gail MacFarlane; Onum Barr: Douglas Blackwell; Tech-man: David Gooderson. |
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Episode 4: The General
The ever-growing power of the Foundation has brought it into contact with the dying might of the Empire. The battle is joined for the supreme goal — control of the Galaxy. First broadcast: 27 May 1973. Original Story by Isaac Asimov (adapted by Patrick Tull). Cast: Bel Riose: Dinsdale Landen; Lord Brodrig: Martin Friend; Cleon II: William Fox; Lt. Vrank: Michael Kilgarriff; Latham Devers: Michael Harbour; Sennett Forell: Ronald Herdman; First Trader: Haydn Jones; Second Trader: John Ruddock; Dukem Barr: Peter Howell. |
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Episode 5: The Mule
The Foundation has grown to become the most influential force in the Galaxy, but it now has to deal with internal dissent. The conflict to be resolved is plain to see — then the impossible happens. First broadcast: 3 June 1973. Original Story by Isaac Asimov (adapted by Mike Stott). Cast: Bayta Darell: Angela Pleasence; Ebling Mis: Maurice Denham; Han Pritcher: John Justin; Mayor lndbur: John Ruddock; Toran Darell: Gary Watson; Franssart: Nigel Graham; Randu: Lewis Stringer; Ovall: Terry Scully; Magnifico: Wolfe Morris; Hari Seldon: William Eedle. |
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Episode 6: Flight From The Mule
The Foundation is conquered. To a small band of people the only hope appears to be to discover the Second Foundation of Hari Seldon and enlist its help against The Mule. But no one knows where the Second Foundation is. First broadcast: 10 June 1973. Original Story by Isaac Asimov (adapted by Mike Stott). Cast: Bayta Darell: Angela Pleasence; Ebling Mis: Maurice Denham; Han Pritcher: John Justin; Orum Palley: Robin Browne; Toran Darell: Gary Watson; Franssart: Nigel Graham; Dagobert IX: Rolf Lefebvre; Prince Dagobert: Nigel Anthony; Magnifico: Wolfe Morris. |
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Episode 7: The Mule Finds
The Mule controls the Foundation. The only threat to his omnipotence is the Second Foundation and he desires to destroy it. But if Seldon's Plan is to succeed, the Second Foundation must survive — yet it must be seen to be wiped out. First broadcast: 17 June 1973. Original Story by Isaac Asimov (adapted by Mike Stott). Cast: The Mule: Wolfe Morris; Han Pritcher: John Justin; Bail Channis: Trader Faulkner; Huxlani: Brian Haines; The Governor: Douglas Blackwell; Elder: Ronald Heroman; Elder: John Ruddock; The Guardian: Cyril Shaps. |
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Episode 8: Star's End
The Mule has gone and the Foundation develops as Seldon calculated. Yet some people still fear the unknown power of the Second Foundation, and while the fear remains The Plan cannot succeed. First broadcast: 24 June 1973. Original Story by Isaac Asimov (adapted by Mike Stott). Cast: Arkady Darell: Sarar Frampton; Dr Darell: Carleton Hobbs; Pelleas Anthor: Gabriel Woolf; Homir Munn: David March; Turbor: Michael Kilgarriff; Lord Stettin: Peter Pratt; Lady Callia: Prunella Scales; Meirus: Fraser Kerr; Preem Palver: Cyril Shaps; Mrs Palver: Katherine Parr; Student Planner: John Rowe; Hari Seldon: William Eedle. |
