Ever been stuck in a car for a long time, maybe you were stuck in traffic, or maybe you were going on holiday. Whatever the reason, you were sure to have had some rather dramatic moments. Well finally someone has taken those moments and made them into a hit radio drama for BBC Radio 4.This week a the brand new short radio play Gridlock is to hit the rush hour line up for BBC Radio 4s Drama. Gridlock follows various characters as they struggle through the boredom and tr ivial

experiences that take place whilst stuck in the rush hour traffic. As the characters lives unfold before us secrets are revealed, and not all of them good.Think its ironic that this story of a car journey is to become a radio play? Well even more ironically the weekly 10 minute episodes will air in the time of peak rush hour traffic, 6pm.We had a chance to catch up with the dramas creator, Amber Wilkinson, here is what she had to say about the new drama. This first question I asked her I was eager to know the answer to myself.

COULD STOP TRAFFIC !

ARE YOU GRIDLOCKED? By Amber WilkinsonStuck in traffic? Are tensions building and emotions running high? It could be worse Dont believe me? Well tune into BBC Radio 4 on Sunday at 6pm and listen to hit new drama Gridlock.

YOULL BE ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT

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Q: What was the inspiration behind the idea for the play?A: I really just wanted to capture those moments that we never see, or hear as the case may be. She went on to tell us when the moment of true inspiration struck. I was in the car with my family stuck in the rush hour traffic on the M6 when the idea came to me. Originally it was just following one familys story, but then I glanced out the window to see to young lads dancing along to some music on the radio and I though to myself why just tell one story when I can tell several. As she spoke of the various tales she had seen unfold on the motorway, she gestured and waved

GRIDLOCKSunday 6pm

On BBC Radio 4

audience, although it does not have any visuals, it allows the listener to imagine their own. Perhaps this is a l s o m a i n r e a s o n behind why books are s t i l l s o p o p u l a r a m e d i u m . A s s h e c o n t i n u e s t o passionately teach me

about the various ways of story-telling and how an audience wants to be heard, I cant help but lose myself in an in depth phi losophical d iscussion. When I eventually remember where I am I finally ask another question.

Q: The simplicity of the plays concept makes it a elegant, but how simple was it to actually p r o d u c e ? S h e p o n d e r e d o n t h i s question for a moment before responding.A: Making a radio drama of any sort is a difficult process but with G r i d l o c k i t w a s especially difficult due to the amount of sound effects necessary to create the perfect in car experience. As our interview comes to an end she smile sweetly and waves me out the door. All I can do now is r e c o m m e n d t h e masterpiece she has invented, as I enthuse about it just as she has.

I really just wanted to capture those moments that we never see, or hear as the case may be.

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the perfect in car experience.