Near FM Ireland, 10-17 October 2012
The plot of this two-part
satirical drama is straightforward enough; it focuses on the peregrinations of an eccentric professor Henri DuFornicate,
aided and abetted by his assistants Marion Monroe and Duck the Bullets, as he travels back in time to look at ancient Ireland. They have
what might best be described as a tempestuous relationship with T.C.P. Crawley, the controller of FLMfm's Rivitin History
programme.
Rivitin History takes satirical pot-shots at the contemporary vogue for
historical documentaries (both on radio and television) that construct the presenter's search for the past as a quest-narrative,
in which each discovery is greeted with a mixture of childlike enthusiasm and so-called 'expert' commentary. We
know that our emotions are being shamelessly manipulated, but we watch nonetheless. In Rivitin History the
experts end up physically fighting with one another as to which interpretation
is the 'correct' one. The fact that no interpretations can be deemed 'right' or 'wrong' seems to elude them.
Meehan's dialogue is razor-sharp, delivered as breakneck speed by an enthusiastic
cast. Sometimes the drama includes almost too many jokes for its own good, but nonetheless it's a highly entertaining
listen. I do hope that these two programmes lead to a series being commissioned in the near future.
