The Case Files of Dr. Moreau
Season 03, Episode 01
April 22, 2015
Human interference with nature
Re-Imagined Radio presents Willamette Radio Workshop performing a radio adaptation of the H.G. Wells's 1896 novel The Island of Dr. Moreau. Adaptation by William S. Gregory, Portland, Oregon, playwright, radio dramatist, lyricist, and screenwriter. Focuses on a scientist's attempts to convert animals into humans using vivisection. Gregory casts a conspiratorial eye on the novel's themes of pain and cruelty, moral responsibility, human identity, and human interference with nature. An imaginative, thought-provoking, chilling look at Dr. Moreau's most elegant experiment.
Access the episode script
Background
An interesting collaboration between Re-Imagined Radio, Willamette Radio Workshop, William S. Gregory, and students in John F. Barber's Audio Performance class at Washington State University Vancouver.
Gregory wrote his adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau for Willamette Radio Workshop. Sam A. Mowry, director of Willamette Radio Workshop, included students from Barber's class as actors and other production roles. The end result, an original radio dramatization titled "The Case Files of Dr. Moreau" was presented as community storytelling in the historic Kiggins Theatre, Vancouver, Washington.
About William S. Gregory
William S. Gregory is a native Portland playwright, radio dramatist, lyricist, and screenwriter, with
over 30 performed original works to his credit. In 2012, he participated in Portland Center Stage's Just
Add Water with his play "Mermance," and his verse drama "Saint in a Cage" received a workshop at
Portland Theater Works. In 2011, his verse adaptation of "Fuente Ovejuna" was selected as the Phil
Killian Play Reading at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In 2007 he was awarded The Walt Morely
Fellowship for Playwrights from Oregon Literary Awards, and in 1999 the world premiere of his play "Mary
Tudor" received three Drammy awards including "Best Production of a New Play." Gregory is a graduate of
Southern Oregon State University and a proud longtime associate of the Williamette Radio Workshop.
The Re-Imagined Radio episode "Waters and Ruins" remembers Gregory, who died in 2024. Listen here
About Willamette Radio Workshop
The Willamette Radio Workshop is an award winning company of actors, designers and writers dedicated to
continuing the legacy of the Golden Age radio drama while pushing the boundaries of its future. They
present live shows and studio productions as well as workshops in writing and performance. Their
productions have been heard and enjoyed around the world. They have been active in the Pacific Northwest
since 2001.
Production
Contents
An original radio adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau, by Portland, Oregon, playwright, radio dramatist, lyricist, and screenwriter William S. Gregory.
Cast
Sam A. Mowry as Moreau/Wolf
Cynthia J. McGean as Monkey/Lynx
Scott Jamieson as Dog/Chetah
Tim McKinney as Prendick/Leopard
Amy Gray as Cat/Sailor
Phil Rudolph as Sayer/Captain
Students and Guests from the CMDC Audio Performance Class
James Coydon as Oryx, Wallah and Foley
Eli Campbell as Wallah Captain, Foley and Drums
John F. Barber as Wallah, Foley and Drums
Credits
Directed and Produced by Sam Mowry
Sound Design by Marc Rose
Live Foley by David Ian and Dino de AElfweald
Drums Composition by Martin John Gallagher
Live Sound by D. Neil Blake
Projections by Joe Medina
Merchandising by Jamie Lawson
Dramaturge by Cynthia J. McGean
Promotional Graphics by Kate Palermini
Produced and Hosted by John F. Barber
Significance
An original radio drama by William S. Gregory. Performed by Willamette Radio Workshop. With students in my Audio Performance class at Washington State University Vancouver. This episode showcases well the mission of Re-Imagined Radio: to explore engaging, immersive, community storytelling in the radio medium by combining literary experiences and media art.
Producer's Notes
Our first episode of Season 3.
A live performance of an original radio drama by William S. Gregory, a native Portland playwright, radio dramatist, lyricist and screenwriter, with over 30 performed original works to his credit. In 2012, he participated in Portland Center Stage’s Just Add Water with his play “Mermance,” and his verse drama “Saint in a Cage” received a workshop at Portland Theater Works. In 2011, his verse adaptation of “Fuente Ovejuna” was selected as the Phil Killian Play Reading at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In 2007 he was awarded The Walt Morely Fellowship for Playwrights from Oregon Literary Awards, and in 1999 the world premiere of his play "Mary Tudor" received three Drammy awards including "Best Production of a New Play." Gregory is a graduate of Southern Oregon State University and a proud longtime associate of the Williamette Radio Workshop.
Students in my DTC 338 Audio Performance class participated in the production and produced digital backstories for several of the characters. This work was exhibited as "The Wunderkammer of Dr. Moreau" in the Kiggins Theatre Lobby before and after the performance. Wunderkammers, collections of unusual or unique natural and created curiosities, began in Renaissance Europe as a way to categorize collections of objects, and gained popularity in Victorian England with cabinets for collections being prominent features in personal homes. These Wunderkammers were precursors to what we now know as museums.
—Thanks for listening
John F. Barber
Producer and Host
Promotion
Video
An eight minute video excerpt by The Willamette Radio Workshop→
Press
Graphics
