View source for Alpha and Omega (radio plays)

{{Short description|BBC radio plays}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Alpha'' and ''Omega'' (radio plays)}}
'''''Alpha''''' and '''''Omega''''' are two radio plays written by [[Mike Walker (radio dramatist)|Mike Walker]], first broadcast on the [[BBC World Service]] in 2001 and 2002 respectively, and later on [[BBC Radio 4]] and [[BBC 7]]. The plays address religious and philosophical issues like the existence of God, and the question of what separates humans from robotic automata.

''Alpha'' won the Best Radio Drama Award in the 2001 [[Sony Radio Awards]].  ''Omega'' won two Worldplay awards in 2002, for Best Script and Best Production.<ref name="BBC">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/10_october/18/omega.shtml "Omega wins two out of three Worldplay radio awards"], BBC Press Office, 18 October 2002</ref>

Both plays star [[David Calder (actor)|David Calder]] as the lead actor, featured music composed and played by David Chiltern, and were produced by Gordon House.

==Alpha==

===Themes===

''Alpha'' examines issues of [[artificial intelligence]] from the viewpoint of established Christian teaching on the [[soul (spirit)|soul]] and human existence in the world. It addresses the existence of God and whether humans have free will or are nothing more than human automata.<ref>Lawrence Raw, [https://laurenceraw.tripod.com/id192.html Alpha and Omega: Two Science Fiction Plays by Mike Walker].  Retrieved 30 September 2021.</ref>

===Plot===
The main character in ''Alpha'' is a priest employed by the [[Holy See|Vatican]] as a sort of [[troubleshooting|troubleshooter]].

An all-knowing computer appears to have an independent life of its own - an abomination for those who believe in a supreme creator. Father Marquez is sent to interrogate ‘Alpha’ to decide whether or not it can be allowed to exist. During their conversations, Marquez finds out far more than he expects about both Alpha and - much more disturbingly - himself.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0080p6l Alpha - Mike Walker], BBC Radio 4 Extra.  Retrieved 30 September 2021.</ref>

==Omega==

===Themes===

''Omega'', focuses on belief in God and in [[miracle]]s, contrasting these issues with the central character's belief in [[structure]] and reality.<ref>[https://www.abc.net.au/rn/legacy/programs/sndrama/stories/s485654.htm "Saturday Night Drama - Omega"], Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 9 March  2002.</ref>  It addresses the question of what separates human beings from automata.
<ref>Lawrence Raw, [https://laurenceraw.tripod.com/id192.html Alpha and Omega: Two Science Fiction Plays by Mike Walker].  Retrieved 30 September 2021.</ref>

===Plot===

The central character of ''Omega'' is a [[civil engineer]] whose daughter has miraculously survived a car crash, and who comes to question his very existence.<ref name="BBC"/>  

It tells the story of John Stone, who is building the world’s tallest tower rising above London.  He discovers God after his daughter makes a miraculous recovery from a car crash. But did a miracle really take place? Perhaps John's whole life is a fiction and he's merely the plaything of a group of controlling scientists.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jl75 Omega - Mike Walker], BBC Radio 4 Extra.  Retrieved 30 September 2021.</ref> 

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alpha And Omega radio plays}}
[[Category:Fictional computers]]
[[Category:British science fiction radio programmes]]


{{BBC-radio-stub}}