Review of The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty: Under Drake’s Flag
As many of you know, we've been hearing snippets of news about the new audio drama series called The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. H...
https://www.audiotheatrecentral.com/2013/10/the-extraordinary-adventures-of-ga-henty-under-drakes-flag-review.html?m=0
As many of you know, we've been hearing snippets of news
about the new audio drama series called The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A.
Henty. We've shared bits and pieces over the past months, but now the wait is
finally over. The first production in the series, Under Drake’s Flag, is
available in both mp3 and CD formats today at HentyAlive.com!
Under Drake’s Flag is a 2-hour dramatic audio adaptation of the
book of the same title by G.A. Henty. It chronicles the journey of two young
boys, Ned and Gerald, as they traverse the globe on board a ship under the
command of Sir Francis Drake. During their adventures they face sea battles,
shipwrecks, and the Spanish Inquisition among many other challenges. They also
find friends in the unlikeliest of places, among escaped African slaves, on a
Spanish controlled plantation and in a prison. Amidst all the trials, the boys
learn the value of being a man of integrity, the importance of friendship and
how to trust God even in the darkest of circumstances.
Here's a 60 second promo to whet your appetite:
As an avid listener of audio drama for over 20 years and a critical reviewer for the past three, I have heard productions that are great and some that are subpar. Under Drake’s Flag is easily among the best I have ever heard. This production is simply awesome; top-notch in every aspect. It’s full of action, adventure, drama and even romance while also driving home some powerful morals of honor, chivalry and reliance on God. It has all the elements of a fantastic story, but it is also filled with valuable life lessons.
Writer John Fornof did a fantastic job of adapting this piece of
literature into a captivating screenplay for the mind. The character
development is excellent, making each role very believable and the listener can
almost picture himself in the situations in which the main characters find themselves.
This is also a result of the superb acting which, aside from the script itself,
is probably the most important component of the production. The actor’s
portrayal of these characters is done so well that you feel almost as if you
know them.
The sound design is absolutely stunning! Even though many
of the scenes are quite difficult from a sound perspective, Mark Drury and Rob Jorgensen
do a masterful job of bringing them to life with outstanding realism. As odd as
it may sound, many times the best sound design in a production is the kind that
is not immediately noticeable. When the sound is up front and center stage it
can detract from the story, but when it is done well it doesn't always stand
out because it is so tightly integrated into the production as a whole. Such is
the case with Under Drake’s Flag.
The same is true for the music and John Campbell has once
again composed a soundtrack that is truly beautiful. Every piece, from scene
transitions to the theme music, is crafted in such a way that it draws the
listener into the story and keeps them there.
Under Drake’s Flag is a must for all audio drama fans as
well as the perfect introduction to those who have yet to explore the medium.
With a story that encompasses multiple genres it holds broad appeal for folks
of all ages. I’m thoroughly excited about The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A.
Henty series and I can’t wait to hear what comes next!
If you’d like to get a copy of this amazing audio drama,
simply go to HentyAlive.com and order today. For a limited time, you can also
hear a portion of the drama for FREE to see if it’s something you’ll enjoy.
(Take it from me; you’re going to love it.) The team is also offering many
other products related to this story so check it all out at HentyAlive.com. And
be sure to let me know what you think of the drama in the comments below.