The Trials of Saint Patrick

By: Paul McCusker

Narrated by: John Rhys-Davies, Sean O Meallaigh, Dame Sian Phillips, Guy Siner, Ian McNeice

Length: 3 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Augustine Institute Radio Theatre presents the audio drama The Trials of Saint Patrick - an epic story of one man's spiritual odyssey through hardship and loss, mercy, and forgiveness. Dramatized with a fresh boldness by the Augustine Institute Radio Theatre, the characters will come alive through the talents of dozens of accomplished, award-winning actors including John Rhys-Davies, combined with cinematic sound and music. Your imagination will be quickened. Your heart will be inspired.

Cast includes: Elder Patrick - John Rhys-Davies; Patrick - Seán T. Ó Meallaigh; Festus - Guy Siner; Bishop Jerome - Richard Syms; Deacon Acacius - David Oakley; Sophie - Jade Williams; Dominic - Daniel Philpott; Victor - Ian Cullen; Miliucc - Stephen Greif; Drust - Elizabeth Counsell; Kadri - Chris Emmett; Anna - Dame Siân Phillips; Dichu - David Simeon; Nechthan - Nick Burnell; Bricius - Howard Stableford; Tertius - Patrick Kennedy; Honoratus - Robert Young; Patricius - Louis Philpott; Calpurnius - Julian Wadham; Lochru/Laurentius - Simon Treves; Trolius/Pirate Slaver - Michael Haughey; Bishop Amator - Richard Gibson; Germanus - Gary Whelan; Seanmathair - Cecily O'Neill; Fith - Michael Shea; Lomma - Hamish Clark; Marcus - Harry Gostelow; Fortchern - Joe Rachman; Fergus - Tom Chenhall; Diarmaid - John Fagan; Fedilmid - Dominic Hecht; Scoth Noe - Amaka Okafor; King Laoghaire - Niall Buggy; Queen Angias/Village Woman - Christina Walker; Lucet Mael - Ian McNeice; Palladius - Philip Sherlock; Brig the Beggar Woman - Susie Brann; Brian - Gerard McCarthy; Raith - Peter Moreton, Gary Martin; Auxilius - Sam Woolf; Secundinus - Robert Benfield; Rogatus - Andrew Harrison; Elder Tertius - Hugh Fraser; Dega the Restrainer/Pirate Slaver - Tom Alexander; Macc Cormac - Theo Maggs.

Additional voice talents include Emma Flett, Sallyanne Law, Stuart Pendred, Mark Prentice, and Andrew Williams.

©2017 The Augustine Institute (P)2017 The Augustine Institute

Love Patrick!!

Loved it! So inspiring. I Love Patrick!! He was such a warrior for Christ. So brave and true. He is my hero. He Loved the Lord with all his heart.

Excellent! In many ways.

This was an amazing radio drama. Of course they use some poetic license, it certainly is true to the outline and the spirit of St. Patrick’s narrative. The authors depiction of the druids is, of course exaggerated and biased, but that’s to be expected in a story about a saint. Similarly, there are a lot of prayers and God talk about Christ, but I did not feel this should be expected. I did not feel the production was evangelical, prosthelatizing, or doctrine heavy. It reflects the deep humble, Christ centered, spirituality of the ancient Irish Christians. Finally, this drama has some of the best pagan and demon confrontations I have ever heard/read.

Awesome

I loved it. Just as good as Brother Francis. I didn't know St Patrick struggled this much.

Top Notch Everything!

I’ve been a fan of “radio shows” and “audio theater” for decades, ever since I got my first walkman. When done well, its as engrossing as a blockbuster movie. Done poorly, its embarassing and distracting. Paul McCusker has been an amazing audio producer for decades, and this is one of the best he’s ever done. Definitely on the blockbuster end of the spectrum.

The story is grand in scale, the telling is nuanced and interesting, the stage of sounds and the landscape it paints are rich and vibrant. You couldn’t ask for better performances, they’re nothing short of masterful.

If you have any interest in St. Patrick, you should give this a try!

st patrick comes alive.

A great listen. it brings St Patrick to life. Very dramatic reading, liked every minute.

Words Fail Me

Just loved this.
The acting, the script, the gripping story. Even if you’re not of any faith, it’s still a ripping good yarn.
My finest purchase on Audiobook in all the years of membership.

Amazing

Couldnt stop listening! What an amazing performance and awesome adventure! Please continue these!!!!! This is the best way to portray the lives of the saints!

Masterpiece

I have listened to this drama many times. The voice acting is superb. Each actor gave a solid performance. The sound design, I felt, was very rich both in terms of score and foley effects. A tapestry of sound very much a part of the story and not merely a add on. With such high production value, I felt not merely a listener but a witness to events. I had never known about nor appreciated St Patrick’s tireless work with its tremendous self sacrifice. Indeed a debt is owed him. The drama is just that, a drama. It is not a documentary so listener needs to allow for literary license. The Trials of Saint Patrick is a delight to listen to. At around 3.5 hours it is long enough to develop characters and story line, but short enough not to get bogged down. Definitely, worthwhile if you enjoy radio drama. Compared to the other Augustine Institute productions, this one is the best.

Happy Saint Patrick Day!

If you want to learn the true story of Saint Patrick this is for you. Very entertaining, full orchestrated, with wonderful actors...I loved it. ❤

Not 1 thing wrong with this!

There was not 1 thing wrong with the research or performance. This was very well done in every aspect.