Mercury Theater

The Glass Shards

English · Dramatic Readings

Mercury Theatre on the Air was Orson Welles’s radio drama series, presenting adaptations of novels, plays, and other works. Welles often performed in the productions, alongside a company of actors whose voices brought a wide range of characters to life.

The program is built around self-contained dramatic presentations, using dialogue, narration, music, and sound effects to create atmosphere and move the story forward. Its repertoire spans suspense, adventure, literary drama, and other genres, with each broadcast shaped by the work being adapted.

Mercury Theatre’s performances have a theatrical, carefully staged feel, while remaining vivid and immediate in audio. The title here identifies “The Glass Shards” as the episode; the series’ appeal lies in its expressive ensemble acting and imaginative use of radio to make stories unfold in the listener’s mind.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.