Playwright D.J.Britton, who teaches Creative and Media Writing, adapted five stories from Arthur Ransome’s collection of Russian folktales for the BBC. 

First published in 1916, Old Peter's Russian Tales includes stories about adventurous quests, the famous Russian witch Baba Yaga, the Tsar of the Sea, and the simple soul who invented a ship that could fly. The BBC dramatisation was directed in London by Jessica Dromgoole and broadcast on Radio 4 last Christmas. A further five episodes have been commissioned for Christmas 2008.

The awards will be made at a special ceremony in Turkey on October 27th. Old Peter’s Russian Tales is a finalist in the children’s broadcasting category along with shows from

Germany, Russia, Romania and Slovenia.

“It’s very exciting,” said Mr. Britton. “Ransome collected these tales while he was a journalist in Russia, before the Revolution. Though he is better known for his  Swallows and Amazons stories, his  Russian tales deserve wider recognition, so it’s great to see them being celebrated at an international event like this. “

D.J.Britton joined the staff of Swansea’s English Department two years ago. He was formerly National Executive Producer for Radio Drama at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. His work for the BBC includes the CD release Chelsea Dreaming, specially commissioned by Radio 3 to mark the 50th anniversary of Under Milk Wood,   which takes the form of a conversation between Dylan Thomas and New York’s Chelsea Hotel.

A reading of his award-winning Australian stage play Cargo will be given at The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea on October 11th as part of an international theatre season touring South Wales. Cargo will also be at Chapter in Cardiff on October10th and at the Parc and Dare Treorchy on October 12th.