What happens
John Jasper, a choirmaster in Cloisterham, is troubled by a strange sense of guilt as he prepares for his nephew Edwin Drood's return. Edwin is engaged to Rosa, whom Jasper secretly loves, and Rosa confides that she does not love Edwin. At a party, Edwin quarrels with Neville Landless, a newcomer from Ceylon who has attracted Rosa's attention. Landless vows to call Edwin to account, and Jasper tries to restore peace between them. Later, Jasper inspects the crypt with Durdles, a stonemason, as he begins to form a plan. Suspense presents Charles Dickens' unfinished novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood, starring Herbert Marshall, with the first part broadcast on January 5, 1953.
Cloisterham, a cathedral town in England
Characters: John Jasper, Edwin Drood, Rosa Bud, Neville Landless, Dean Chris Crisparkle, Durdles
Listen for: Jasper's confession of hatred for his nephew's way of life and his growing plan against Edwin Drood
Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.