A new play by Emma Bernard
Living On Air is an absurd romp through local radio and sexual politics of the 1970s, performed by our visually impaired drama company High Spirits at the Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich, in April 2025. The play was developed thanks to funding from Arts Council England, with the support of New Wolsey Theatre and Eastern Angles.
“We’ve not laughed so much at a performance in ages. What a brilliant show!”
Audience member
Click here for the Living On Air programme
Living on Air draws the audience into the world of Radio Bardwell, a fictitious local radio station serving the Suffolk community in the 1970s. When a new presenter arrives to work at the station, the status quo is well and truly rocked. The play showcases the talents of our High Spirits VI drama group, and new writing by the group’s drama director and 2024 Mercury playwright, Emma Bernard.
The group carried out R & D for the play through an oral histories project delivered in partnership with Suffolk Archives. When you’re alone we’re together: remembering Radio Orwell 257 was made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Huge thanks to all the generous contributors to this project.
