Massive apologies for the delay in getting out the final episode of Perfect Retreat. Life events intervened, but Episode 6 is now in post-production.
 
This is a recording from the Audio Drama Hub Podfest, held in High Wycombe in November 2022.
In this, there was a slot for new podcasts – and we were lucking enough to gather together many of our international cast to perform some live scenes and singing performances from Perfect Retreat (including the intro/outro song, by Karin Heimdahl, who travelled all the way from Sweden for the occasion! and Sarah Golding singing Zinnia's song "Smile", which she wrote.)
 
Not all the podcast cast could be present for these scenes from the show, and we were extremely grateful to Karim Kronfli and Michael Hudson for standing in.
 
Live show transcript here

This live extract from Perfect Retreat was written by Fiona Thraille
It featured, in order of appearance

Karin Heimdahl as the theme singer and Maja
Wendy Lapp as The Voiceover, Claire, and Voice of the Credits
Fiona Thraille as The Operator and Sam
Karim Kronfli as John
Robert Cudmore as Andy
Sarah Golding as Zinnia
Michael Hudson as Alex

Additional music by Sarah Golding and Mugzy

Thanks to the staff at the Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe and to everyone who managed to come along to, or supported the festival, and to our sponsors.
The Podfest is now an annual event, and if you would like to find out more, it's here.

“PERFECT RETREAT, Episode 5 – Create or Die” is written and produced by Fiona Thraille

Please click here for the transcript
(please note, the transcript is the script, which is usually almost exactly identical to the performances)
and further credits.

Trigger Warning: A potentially supernatural encounter

CAST
In order of appearance

Sam - Erika Sanderson
The Operator - David Ault
Natalia - Kirsty Woolven
Shel - Nathan Blades
Maja - Karin Heimdahl
Marnie - Fiona Thraille

MUSIC

The song "Vem kan segla förutan vind" is sung by Karin Heimdahl
Wack Emcees by Mugzy

SFX

Under CC0 licence From Freesound.org  

herring-gull by canardo55
Simple amateur trumpet fragment by jay_mar 
Open/close door.MP3 by SoundsForHim
Shoes 01 | hard sole.wav by Aerny 
Shoes 02 | rubber sole.wav by Aerny 
windy day indoors windows rattle.wav by lwdickens 
typewriter-olivetti-lettra-22 by keithpeter
typewriter_ding by stubbs
Guitar Wood Creaking.wav by Aerny
trumpetimprov_rhythm_changes.aiff by emirdemirel
Grass Running.aif by Shadowedhunter 
Tent packing.mp3 by kaffemaskin
Falling_On_Wet_Grass.aif by crcavol
Close recording of small waves on the beach, in Thailand by felix.blume
Kitchen Footsteps.WAV by carsonbailie
rubber shoes on tiles footsteps.wav by 21100495
01-19 Footsteps, Tile, Female Heels, Scuffs.wav by SpliceSound 
AmCS_CS_TI02_shish-shush-shish.wav by GCGuest1 
Quiet library ambience by xkeril 
sssh.wav by elliedixon 
Indoor adult murmur, small group.wav by SpliceSound
Library AMB.wav by PasekaM
PUMPKIN_CARVING:STABBING.WAV by dansotak
Chain Drag.wav by mffm 
dig.wav by maxthrower 
Collapsing in grass.MP3 by SoundsForHim
Rock Tumble 2.wav by _stubb 
Necklace.wav by sidequesting 
Umbrella Flapping 2 - Senn K6 SD 788T.wav by lunchmoney


Under licence agreement from Free To Use Sounds

AMBSea, Seaside, Coastal, Waves Splash, Rocky Beach, Windy, Flag Poles Moving, Spooky, Frankopan Castle, Krk, Nighttime, Croatia, FTUS, 19232

DoorWood, Church, Confessional Cabin, Open, Closing, Church Of Saint Nicholas, Varazdin, Croatia, FTUS, 19232
DoorWood, Old, Rusty, Reverb, Bathroom Door, Zadar, Croatia, FTUS, 19232 (1)
USA_Iowa_OldHouse_Stairs_WalkingUpandDown_CreakingNoise_OriginalFile

Copyright Dashing Onions Audio 2023

Thanks for listening!

“PERFECT RETREAT, Episode 4 – Sunk” is written and produced by Fiona Thraille

Please click here for the transcript 
(please note, the transcript is the script, which is usually almost exactly identical to the performances. In this episode, some scenes may feature a few extra ad libs!) 
and further credits.
 
Trigger Warning: Threats & a little violence; character has a panic attack; potentially supernatural sounds

CAST
 In order of appearance

Maja - Karin Heimdahl
Sam - Erika Sanderson 
Lavender Bee - Fiona Thraille
Zinnia - Sarah Golding
Alex - Lec Zorn
Andy - Robert Cudmore 
John - Matthew MacLean
Claire - Wendy Lap
The Operator - David Ault

MUSIC 
 
The song "Vem kan segla förutan vind" is sung by Karin Heimdahl

Music in the pub is Aussie With An American Attitude, and
Music in the performance hall is Them People
both tracks are by Mugzy (used with the artist’s permission – thank you so much Mugzy).
 
Music for “It’s Alright to Write and Be with Lavender Bee” is 
Clean Soul by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3514-clean-soul

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

SFX

Under CC0 licence From Freesound.org  https://freesound.org/
 
felix-blume__bee-recorded-individually-elena
canardo55_herring gull
soundsofscienceupf__putting-headphones-on
walking slow on dirt.wav by ABouch
Walk on Gravel 1.wav by _stubb 
kyles__waves-ocean-or-lake-light-lap-at-rocks-beach-ganpati-shrine-marina-boats-tied-up-some-distant-traffic-india 
Dog barking in the street (Chile) by felix.blume
mrrap4food__sitting-on-harbor 
stefan21100190__opening-liquor-bottle
akeroyc__beer-bottles
Flip Phone Handling.wav by SpliceSound 
Sip of coffee, swallow then "ah" by odditonic 
Spinning reel.wav by tosha73
sbírání a položení půllitru ze stolu - collecting and laying a pint on the table.wav by 13FPanska_Prochazkova_Lucie 
Glass_On_Bar.aif by bhweber 
Pouring a Beer from the TapS:  by zembacraftworks 
Door open and close 2 by dossantosbarbosa  Brela_HarborSub3.wavS:  by blaukreuz 
8-bit heaven by bullybilldestroyer 
markadirector__monastery-footsteps
Light Applause by ojosdedurazno 
Door_Close.wav by Tabook 
johnsonbrandediting__small-crowd-pre-concert-talking-party-bar-walla-talking
80 Drums Austin Roots Brush by tripjazz 
Treated Brushes.wav by doorknocker 
Improvisation on Major Scale - Trumpet (1) by emirdemirel 
Splash 4 by lurpsis 
light footsteps on carpet walk.wav by rsellick 
run carpet.wav by taure
woman run and breath.wav by MelvinJaepel 
pigeons_fly away_ wing flaps_CsG by csaszi 
Metal Shed Door Open 1 by Yoyodaman234 

 
Under licence agreement from GameDev Market
Game Jingles and 8-Bit Sound FX

Under licence agreement from Free To Use Sounds
 
Birds, Seagullls, Bird Cliff, Nesting, Cawing, Common Murre, Snaefellsness, Ocean Waves, Wind, Iceland, 19232, 01

“PERFECT RETREAT, Episode 3 – Breaking the Rules” is written and produced by Fiona Thraille

Please click here for the transcript (please note, the transcript is the script, which is usually almost exactly identical to the performances. In this episode, some scenes may feature a few extra ad libs!) and further credits.

CAST
 In order of appearance:
 
Mary-Leanna Greenshields - Wendy Lap

Lavender Bee - Fiona Thraille

Shel - Nathan Blades

John - Matthew Mclean

Craig - RJ Bayley

The Operator - David Ault

Maja - Karin Heimdahl

Zinnia - Sarah Golding

Sam - Erika Sanderson 

MUSIC 

Japan_Koto_Improv_Amateur_Session_3.wav by RutgerMuller
 (from Freesound.org)
 
 Adeste Fideles Waltz by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
 Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Trio for Piano Violin and Viola" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The song "Vem kan segla förutan vind" is sung by Karin Heimdahl

 

 SFX

Under CC0 licence From Freesound.org https://freesound.org/
 

S: Phone ringing 5 times then picked up UK GPO 746.wav by dangale | License: Creative Commons 0

S: Gate made out of metal and wire close by zxz41

S: Japan_Koto_Improv_Amateur_Session_3.wav by RutgerMuller 

Bee recorded individually | Elena by felix.blume 

S: Footsteps in the forest by felix.blume 

S: Creaky tree in woodland.WAV by jackmichaelking 

S: Ocean and Fog Horn.wav by shepardr 

S: Jumping On a Bed by deleted_user_7146007 

S: Metal_Bed_Spring_Neumann_RSM191_GadiRaz.wav by gadiraz  

S: Immeuble Hall Portes Voix.wav by v_hazard 

S: door and doorknob noises 1.wav by 5ro4 

S: footsteps soft slippers by Yuval 

S: Lean on bed - Squeaking sounds.wav by khenshom

S: Movement in bed, blanket.wav by vovere 

S: creaking_bed_sighing.wav by laura222 

S: Wine.wav by BeeProductive 

Perfect Retreat Episode 3 "Breaking the Rules" was written & produced by Fiona Thraille.
 The cast featured:
 
Mary-Leanna Greenshields - Wendy Lap

Lavender Bee - Fiona Thraille

Shel - Nathan Blades

John - Matthew Mclean

Craig - RJ Bayley

The Operator - David Ault

Maja - Karin Heimdahl

Zinnia - Sarah Golding

Sam - Erika Sanderson 

Andy - Robert Cudmore 

The Music included: “Adeste Fideles Waltz” and also "Trio for Piano Violin and Viola" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
 
 and Koto_Improvisation by RutgerMuller from freesound.org
 
 The sound effects are from freesound.org & under license agreement from Free To Use sounds.

The theme song is sung by Karin Heimdahl
 
 Production Copyright 2022 Dashing Onions Audio.

“PERFECT RETREAT, Episode 2 – Not There” is written and produced by Fiona Thraille

Please click here for the transcript and further credits.

TRIGGER WARNING: A panic attack

CAST
 In order of appearance

Shel - Nathan Blades

Sam - Erika Sanderson 

Andy - Robert Cudmore 

The Operator - David Ault

Zinnia - Sarah Golding
 

MUSIC 

Music in the performance hall is
Can’t Stop Us by Mugzy (used with the artist’s permission – thank you).

The song "Vem kan segla förutan vind" is sung by Karin Heimdahl

 SFX

Under CC0 licence From Freesound.org
 
 
Dawn chorus distant ocean.WAV by jackmichaelking 

Footsteps outside - Including ambience by Mochni 

Dawn chorus distant ocean.WAV by jackmichaelking  

Schritte auf Kiesel und gras - Steps on pebbles and gras by ramiroocampo
 Garden Background by Fabrizio84 
Foley_Cloth_Movement_Jacket_96khz.wav by Nox_Sound 
sfx_turnschuhe_auf_kieselsteinen_01.wav by aarom 

Herring Gull 2.wav by Canardo55  
 Distant small boat returning to marina.WAV by jackmichaelking 

Walking on wet and muddy marsh land with clothing rustle.WAV by jackmichaelking 

Waves breaking close by nickcase
seals_fishermans_wharf_san_francisco.mp3 by polymorpheva

Gentle ocean waves birdsong and gull.WAV by jackmichaelking 
 Foley_Cloth_Movement_Jacket_96khz.wav by Nox_Sound  
sea from cliff.wav by bruno.auzet 

Walking Pebbles on Beach - Zoom H6.WAV by lunchmoney
 Light Applause by ojosdedurazno 

PARTY GUESTS.wav by LOVEBURD 
 Door_Close.wav by Tabook 
 Library AMB.wav by PasekaM
 Adjusting Microphone Sound by XtremeAnimations  

Under licence agreement from Free To Use Sounds  
 
 AMBSea, Seaside, Rocky Shore, Waves Splash, Wash, Windy, Roviinj, Croatia, FTUS, 19232

MuscOrgn, Sea Organs, Musical, Sea, Calm, Adriatic Sea, Zadar, Croatia, Morning, FTUS, 19232, 14
 

 

“PERFECT RETREAT, Episode 1 – Not Here” is written and produced by Fiona Thraille

Pleas click here for the transcript and further credits.

TRIGGER WARNING: Brief mentions of death/grief, depictions of social anxiety and a panic attack

CAST
 In order of appearance

Voiceover - Angela Ness 

The Operator - David Ault

Sam - Erika Sanderson

Sally, the journalist - Wendy Lap

Lavender Bee - Fiona Thraille

Craig - RJ Bayley

Maja - Karin Heimdahl

John - Matthew MacLean

Andy - Robert Cudmore

Claire - Wendy Lap

  MUSIC 

Music for Intro is
 Long Road Ahead by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3996-long-road-ahead

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
 
 Music for “It’s Alright to Write and Be with Lavender Bee” is 
 Clean Soul by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3514-clean-soul

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
 
Music onboard boat is
Cryptic Sorrow by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3568-cryptic-sorrow

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
 
The song "Vem kan segla förutan vind" is sung by Karin Heimdahl

 SFX

Under CC0 licence From Freesound.org  https://freesound.org/
 
S: CFX-20130331-UK-DorsetHarbour09.wav by Carlvus  
 S: footsteps on surfaced road in boots by Frigus_XIII 
 S: de rottende veerboot by allthingssound  
 S: metal door.wav by ninebilly  
 S: 16_bell ringing.wav by 16HPanskaKelbichova_Adela 
 S: Herring Gull 1.wav by Canardo55  
 S: Herring Gull 2.wav by Canardo55  
 S: 15GGalasovaK_crayon.wav by KaterinaGalasova  
 S: Putting headphones on by soundsofscienceupf  
 S: splat 005.wav by yottasounds  

S: typewriter_ding by stubbs
 S: Water Splash in Lake 05.wav by vero.marengere  
 S: 3_tone_chime.wav by dudamix98  
 S:  Seagull Swarm at Port by Kinoton 
 S: Small Crowd Chatter by snakebarney  
 S: foghorn.wav by bruno.auzet 
 S: CFX-20130331-UK-DorsetHarbour09.wav by Carlvus  
 S: Shouting Yeah.wav by tonsil5 
 S: male grunt.wav by lipalearning 
 S: Go Away.wav by pyro13djt  
 S: Passos na brita / Walk in crushed stone by CinemaVocal 
S: Chonology of love by EKVelika 

Under licence agreement from Free To Use Sounds https://www.freetousesounds.com/ 
 
 BoatsFerry, Door, Open, Closing, Sliding, Lower Deck, On Board, Nighttime, FTUS, Ploce, Trpanj, Croatia, FTUS, 19232
 
 Ferry, Propeller, Engine Running, Waves, Strong, Ferry Workers, Squeaky, Casilhas, Lisbon, Portugal, Zoom H6, 9624
 
 Hydrophone, Room Tone, Haunting, Spooky, Ice, Scratching, Movements, Picking, Spooky, Touching, Underwater, Diamond Beach, Iceland, 19232

Ambience, Ferry, Interior, People, On Water, Engine Low Noise, Squeaking Chairs, Cais do Sodre, Lisbon, Portugal, Zoom F6, 192-32_

MuscOrgn, Sea Organs, Musical, Sea, Calm, Adriatic Sea, Zadar, Croatia, Morning, FTUS, 19232, 12
 
 MuscOrgn, Sea Organs, Musical, Sea, Calm, Adriatic Sea, Zadar, Croatia, Morning, FTUS, 19232, 8

Trailer for Perfect Retreat
 
 Set in the summer of 2021, Perfect Retreat is about Sam, still grieving from the loss of a close relative, winning a competition to spend two weeks on an artists' retreat in a remote island in the North Atlantic. But what does the plaque above the door:  "Creativity is Life" mean for those who can no longer  create? 
 
 “Perfect Retreat” is a six part series written and produced by Fiona Thraille, coming soon to Dashing Onions Audio. It has a website here: https://perfect-retreat.yolasite.com/

The TRANSCRIPT for this trailer is at the bottom of this page, after the credits.
 
 

CAST

 Sam - Erika Sanderson

Maja - Karin Heimdahl

Shel - Nathan Blades

Craig - RJ Bayley

The Operator - David Ault

Mary-Leanna Greenshields - Wendy Lap

Lavender Bee - Fiona Thraille

John - Matthew Mclean

  MUSIC 

The song "Vem kan segla förutan vind" is sung by Karin Heimdahl

 SFX

From Freesound.org  https://freesound.org

S: Herring Gull 1.wav by Canardo55 | License: Creative Commons 0

S: Herring Gull 2.wav by Canardo55 | License: Creative Commons 0

S: Waves on a sand bar by plantmonkey | License: Creative Commons 0

S: typewriter-olivetti-lettra-22.wav by keithpeter | License: Creative Commons 0

S: Weston Shore Calm Early Morning by richwise | License: Creative Commons 0

S: Big Splash.wav by Bird_man | License: Creative Commons 0

From Free To Use Sounds Pack
BOCB4F~1 Ferry rumble
 
 
 
TRANSCRIPT FOR “PERFECT RETREAT” TRAILER

VOICEOVER: Coming soon to Dashing Onions Audio...

SOUND: Lapping waves and gulls

MAJA: (SINGING UNDER THE ENTIRE TRAILER (IN SWEDISH))
 
 Vem kan segla förutan vind?
 Vem kan ro utan åror?
 Vem kan skiljas från vännen sin
 Utan att fälla tårar?
 Jag kan segla förutan vind
 Jag kan ro utan åror
 Men ej skiljas från vännen min
 Utan att fälla tårar
 
 
 SHEL: It is a perfect retreat.

CRAIG: just take in the sea air, the space... Use these couple of weeks to get back to making art.
 
 SAM: It’s not easy, accepting a gift. Puts you on edge - why are you giving me this? What’s in it for you?
 
LAVENDER BEE: Sea air is a cure for everything!

 THE OPERATOR: Mr MacBride has insisted we provide for your every need. All you need to do in return is create.
 
 MARY-LEANNA GREENSHIELDS: No life without creativity.

SHEL: No life without creativity

MAJA: We’ll celebrate  it!
 
 MARY-LEANNA GREENSHIELDS: I can’t!
 
 SAM: I can’t!
 
 SOUND: SEAGULL CRIES

JOHN: She’ll not rest until you’re all gone from here! And neither will we!
 
 MAJA: You’re mirroring each other so b

CUSTOMS

How To Play the Elevator Game:

1. Enter the elevator alone. 
2. Proceed to the fourth floor.
3. Descend to the second floor.
4. Proceed to the sixth floor.
5. Return to the second floor.
6. Ascend to the tenth floor.
7. Return to the fifth floor.
A young woman may enter the elevator here. Do not look at her or talk to her, whatever she does.
8. Press the button for the first floor. 
– If the elevator descends to the first floor, exit immediately. Do not look back or speak.
– If the elevator starts to go up, it’s going to the Other World. No one will be on the tenth floor. The power might be out. The sky will be darker, with a red cross in the distance…

But what happens after you exit the elevator?

Written by Chris Burnside

Please click here for the transcript. 

CAST AND PRODUCTION TEAM

Featuring:

Lowri Ann Davies as Carys

Hannah Preisinger as The Agent

Joe Bence as The Guard

April Sumner as The Elevator

Initial dialogue edit by Rachel Pulliam

Sound design by Fiona Thraille

Music, mix and additional editing/SFX by Katharine Seaton

Artwork by Megan Burnside

Customs is a collaborative project with Dashing Onions, Dayton Writers Movement, Old Souls Audio and Wonky Salamander and was originally produced for 11th Hour Audio Productions.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people, places, or events is entirely coincidental.