Mercury Theatre on the Air

The Bathtub

English · Radio

Mercury Theatre on the Air was Orson Welles’s radio drama series, created with the Mercury Theatre company. Its productions brought literary works and dramatic stories to the microphone, with Welles and fellow performers taking on roles across a repertory of adaptations.

The program’s appeal lies in its theatrical approach to radio: expressive acting, carefully shaped dialogue, and sound that helps listeners picture each scene. The title “The Bathtub” identifies this recording, while the series itself is known for presenting stories in a vivid, performance-led style.

For listeners who enjoy classic radio drama, the Mercury Theatre offers an intimate blend of stagecraft and imagination, where voices and sound effects carry the action. Its productions reward close listening and showcase the dramatic possibilities of the radio medium.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.