Neverwhere : London Below

So Radio 4 has an adaptation of Neil Gaimans Neverwhere being played at the moment.

The lead character Richard Meyhew stops on his way to dinner with his girlfriend to help an injured girl in the middle of the road. This one act of kindness sends him on his way to an adventure into London Below.

***SPOILERS***




So first off the main character Richard is voiced by James McAvoy who is using his Scottish accent. He isn't the first voice we hear though, as Tony Head and his helper are the first to appear. The voice talent they have for this series looks immense (Benedict Cumberbatch, Bernard Cribbins, Christopher Lee and Johnny Vegas also appear) so it is something I'm looking forward too.

So in London Below we follow Richard who has moved to London, on his way to an important date with his finacée Jessica he finds a young lady lying in the middle of the street and takes her home.

Also Croup and Vandemar are following a young lady in the sewers. Creepy guys following the scent of blood. The young lady is the other half of our main cast, her name is Door. Yes as you have guessed Door is the injured girl in the road, she finds her way up to the street above.

The story so far is interwoven, going between Richard and Croup/Vandemar. Richard is instantly likable as a character, you feel for him dating someone as posh and demanding as Jessica. Croup and Vandemar also set their characters off right from the start creeping about.

After spending the night at Richards house Croup and Vandemar show up at the front door look for Door. After a search for Door (yes all this talking of Doors might get a bit confusing) they leave again, and Door sends Richard on a "quest" (I love that word) to help her get home.

He meets with the Marquis de Carabas who in my opinion again made his character stand out from the second he was introduced. I love listening to the way he speaks, he takes Richard into the streets below to meet with the Old Bailey.

After his meeting he emerges into his apartment through his broom cupboard were after a good bye from Door she disappears through again. The disappearance of Door doesn't stop the weirdness, next day everyone he comes in contact with either can't see him or doesn't remember him. His desk at work has been emptied out, his phone is still not working, people are viewing his flat...  Next thing he knows he's getting a threatening phone call from Mr Croup, but the threat isn't just for him but for Door as well.

Richard goes to find the Marquis or Door and goes back down into London Below whilst Door brings Marquis to the room without doors. They find a recording of Doors fathers last words, he tells her to find Islington.

Whilst Marquis and Door search her home Richard is introduced to the rat speakers who after talking to Lord Long Tail (a rat) decide to help him. He loses Anastasia (the rat speaker) whilst crossing the Night Bridge but finally gets to the floating market.

At the floating market Door and the Marquis is looking for a body guard for Door. After bumping into the Old Bailey again he finally finds Door and Marquis and they find their bodyguard. Hunter, the women who brought Richard across the Night Bridge. As the market closes the group leave, also leaving Richard behind after telling him that his life above has now finished and that he must start his life below... Well they leave him for a little bit then obviously Door comes back for him telling him they are looking for an angel.


I totally love Croup and Vandemar, they are both funny and creepy at the same time. They set the creepy tone right from the start and carry it through the episode. To be honest I was always going to love any character with Tony Head's voice (HERC!) though that can also be said with half the characters. It is one of the reasons I was interested in listening to the series with such a strong cast and not only that but such wonderful voices to listen to!

I loved Richards slow introduction into London Below and Doors life, his reaction to the rat and having to apologize to the rat when it shows up in his house is so funny. His reaction to things that happens to him after meeting Door is endearing, to be honest most normal people would just be confused and bewildered but he just jumps in and helps no matter how weird it gets. It is also sweet that the rat he apologizes too later saves his life in London Below.

The thing that I have to say I love about the episode is that it brings the environments to life in your head, the actors are wonderful and you can actually see the places they are meant to be in your head even though they are only being portrayed through a radio play. It is a wonderfully atmospheric piece.

I love radio shows, OK I don't actually listen to many but I do love listening to the radio. I think it is a very under appreciated medium and people really do need to go out and listen to this series as it is a wonderful adaptation. Yes I've only listened to the first episode but I have no fears that the quality will stand up for the whole of the story.

I was attracted to the piece because it was written by Neil Gaiman, I loved his Doctor Who episode and own Coraline and other short stories. Again that isn't MUCH of Mr Gaimans work but the thing I loved about Coraline and other short stories is that it really did vary in tone and every story was so different but just as good as the last. I have been interested in getting more Gaiman books so listening to a story adapted onto the radio was a big seller for me.

Also because of the voice cast. It was only, what, two days ago I was telling everyone how much I love Benedict Cumberbatch so does it surprise you that I'm listening to something he has a character in? I love Cabin Pressure which is a radio series that he plays a character in and really Cabin Pressure is what reminded me how good radio shows can be. But the depth of really brilliant actors they have and such unique and chilling voices....

If you don't listen to radio shows please make an exception for this. Sit in a dark room listening with your eyes closed. The world comes to life in your head, the characters are there talking to you. If this doesn't get you into radio dramas I don't know what will because this is a work of art.

Even if you still are not sure just listen to it for the voice actors, they have some wonderful voices in this.