Studio One: Stories Made for Radio

Ian C. Nelson is Assistant Director of Libraries at the University of
Saskatchewan.

This is a splendid anthology. More surprising—even to a radio
addict—is that it reads so well! Although Schmalz notes that he
eschewed “favourite productions [that] were too perfectly conceived
for radio,” he obviously chose the cream of the crop of productions
that have emanated from Studio One at cbc Regina over the past seven
years. The list of authors reads like a Who’s Who of prominent
Saskatchewan literary figures (not necessarily dramatists), including
Lorna Crozier, Patrick Lane, Connie Gault, Andrew Suknaski, Rex
Deverell, Geoffrey Ursell, and Kim Morrissey.

Although Schmalz—a cbc radio drama and features producer—is listed
as editor and signs the informative introduction, he is only formally
credited with co-authorship of one of the 10 pieces. According to the
“author statements” section, however, the other writers have
apparently enjoyed a close and creative relationship with him in the
production of these scripts. The subject matter ranges from a fantasy
about Peter Gzowski to the appalling political situation in Chile; the
style, from comic spoof to pure poetry.

Besides the author statements focusing on the genesis of each piece,
the volume includes succinct biographies of the authors, production
broadcast dates, cast lists, and notes about awards garnered (there are
plenty!). And given the “ambiguous nature of all radio people, fiction
and otherwise [ . . . ] whom we recreate according to our own image,”
the publisher’s inclusion of an attractive photograph of each author
is refreshing.

For those who remember the broadcasts, the radio scripts appear
deceptively short (Schmalz has kept musical and sound descriptions to a
minimum), yet, like well-crafted short stories, their impact is
immediate. Given the variety of styles and subjects, the length of each
piece, and the meticulous introduction, notes, and biographies, Studio
One would make a lively classroom introduction to contemporary
Saskatchewan writers.

Schmalz is also a chronicler of radio in the province, with his 1990
publication On Air: Radio in Saskatchewan.