Into the Light (radio drama)

Into the Light

Company type	Radio drama series
Industry	Broadcasting
Founded	1938
Founder	Edmund Barclay
Area served	Australia
Products	Radio drama

Into the Light is a 1938 Australian radio drama created by Edmund Barclay, following the acclaim of his earlier work As Ye Sow. This series marked the beginning of Lyndall Barbour's acting career. Its success led to a 1944 remake featuring a new ensemble and director.

Premise

Situated in the 16th century, the plot centers on a man navigating a world transformed by significant historical shifts: the aftermath of England’s Wars of the Roses, Portuguese seafaring explorations, Columbus’s discovery of the Americas, and the arrival of Greek scholars after Constantinople's fall. The story opens in Chilton Dene, Hampshire, set against the backdrop of a manor estate and a nearby Cistercian monastery.

Cast

• Vivian Edwards portraying Black Monk
• Lyndall Barbour as Rosamund
• Rupert Chance in the role of Sir Peter Lorimer

Episodes

• Ep 1 The Black Monk (7 Feb) — Introduces Sir Peter Lorimer at Chilton Dene Manor, on the brink of adulthood during England’s transition from medieval darkness.
• Ep 2 The Witches/Burned at the Stake (14 Feb) — The Bailey of Andover exploits local fears, sparking fatal witch hunts involving Brother Jacopopo.
• Ep 3 The Crooked Smile (21 Feb)
• Ep 4 Doom comes to Chilton (28 Feb) — Sir Peter abandons his inheritance, adopting the name Peter Lacklove to pursue the Philosopher’s Stone amid European political intrigues surrounding Catherine of Aragon’s marriage to Prince Arthur.
• Ep 5 The Runagate Princess (7 March) — Peter encounters Brother Despard and confronts boys seized by Scottish pirate Sir Andrew Barton, leading to unforeseen events.
• Ep 6 Catherine Must Choose (14 March) — Disguised as siblings, Catherine of Aragon and Prince Henry flee the King’s Camp; they join forces with Peter but fall into Barton’s hands.
• Ep 7 (21 March)
• Ep 8 Cross or Crescent? (28 March) — On their journey to Rome, Peter and his group face Moorish corsairs who demand conversion under threat of torture.
• Ep 9 A Gentleman of Spain (4 April) — Don Rodrigez demonstrates resilience despite captivity under the Sultan of Sali.
• Ep 10 Desert Justice (11 April) — Christian prisoners recaptured by the Sultan endure a harsh desert trek under strict justice.
• Ep 11 Master of Italy (18 April)
• Ep 12 Mona Lisa (2 May) — In Renaissance Florence, Peter searches for the Philosopher’s Stone amid artistic brilliance and encounters the mysterious Mona Lisa.
• Ep 13 Brother of Mankind (9 May) — Brother Jacopopo’s true nature is revealed during a pivotal trial.
• Ep 14 Trifles Make Perfection (16 May) — Traveling alongside Michelangelo, Peter attempts unsuccessfully to mediate between Florence’s leading artists.
• Ep 15 Master of Italy (23 May) — Cesare Borgia contemplates Peter’s counsel advocating gentler strategies to consolidate power over Florence.
• Ep 16 Paid in Full (30 May) — A vindictive woman disrupts Peter's critical plans with Cesare Borgia.
• Ep 17 Venetian Carnival (6 June) — Following the collapse of his alliance with Borgia, Peter continues pursuing the Philosopher’s Stone in Venice.
• Ep 18 Catherine’s Country (13 June) — Imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition for heresy, Peter receives aid from Spain’s Queen due to past kindness shown to Princess Catherine.
• Ep 19 The New World (20 June) — Fleeing Spain with Donna Eulalie, Peter joins Columbus’s expedition seeking the Philosopher’s Stone in America.
• Ep 20 The Vast Unknown (27 June) — In the Americas, Peter reunites with former captives and learns indigenous tales such as that of the Fountain of Youth.
• Ep 21 The Fountain of Youth (4 July)
• Ep 22 Slaves of the Lamp (11 July) — Confronting entrenched slavery and hypocrisy in the West Indies tests Peter’s relationships with former allies.
• Ep 23 Echo and Shadow (18 July) — Rejoining Columbus’s voyage toward uncharted lands, Peter confronts haunting reminders from his past.
• Ep 24 The Aztec Empire (25 July)
• Ep 25 (1 Aug)
• Ep 26 Westward Ho! (8 Aug) — Peter and his companions venture through untamed jungle to reach the Pacific coast for the first time.
• Ep 27 Twilight of the Gods (15 Aug) — Holding fragile authority within the Aztec Empire, Peter faces greed and deceit threatening his mission.
• Ep 28 Farewell Morocco (22 Aug) — Disappointed once more in his quest, Peter departs ancient Mexico bidding farewell to allies.
• Ep 29 The Iron Hand (29 Aug) — Returning to Europe, Peter meets prominent medieval figures while continuing his search for the Philosopher’s Stone.
• Ep 30 (5 Sept)
• Ep 31 Rebellion (12 Sept) — Amid German peasant revolts led by Gotz of the Iron Hand opposing feudal tyranny, Peter becomes embroiled in conflict.
• Ep 32 Never Again (19 Sept) — As memories resurface, Peter attempts to return home to England but encounters irreversible changes.
• Ep 33 (26 Sept)
• Ep 34
• Ep 35 The Rebellion
• Ep 36
• Ep 37 The Philosopher’s Stone (Final Episode) — At journey's end, Peter attains true peace alongside the elusive Philosopher’s Stone.