Essex Audio Theatre
Dedicated to creating free radio drama
All About Eat ...
In 1993 members of a writer's group in Braintree and volunteers at the then Braintree Hospital Radio decided to form a group to produce quality drama and documentary programming for hospital radio. Essex Hospital Radio Theatre was created.
Over sixty productions later, and renamed in 2005 as Essex Audio Theatre, the group continues to thrive. With the Internet now providing a global audience, EAT is unique in providing opportunities for those passionate about radio drama.
But none of this would have been possible without the late, great Dennis Rookard ...
Broadcaster, journalist and well-known background artist - Dennis graced the sets of amongst others, The Bill, Lovejoy and EastEnders/
When Dennis passed away in 2010, EAT faced an uncertain future. Salvation came in the form of John Rhodes, an experienced sound engineer already involved with the Old Court Radio Theatre.
EAT has often needed to adapt to circumstances and to be resourceful in finding recording locations. For many years the group recorded at the home of founding member Angela Howard. Her beautiful cottage in a rural location was usually perfect in external noise reduction…until low flying planes from the local airfield, or inconsiderate farmers working the nearby fields required moments of pausing a recording until the noise subsided! After Angela passed away in 2020, the group now primarily record at the Friends Meeting House in Great Bardfield in Essex.
