The Greatest Matter is the newest addition to HeadStuff Podcasts, a 12-part, full-cast audiodrama.
The show is about an Italian criminologist, Cesare Lombroso, who arrives in Dublin in the late 1890s to give a public talk. In attendance are Frances, a novelist keen to learn more about the distinguished professor’s work, and Margaret, a hard-working Dublin journalist. Meanwhile, a man has been gruesomely murdered in the nearby Phoenix Park, and the authorities appear to be covering it up. As the Dublin Metropolitan Police begin inquiries, a powerful English military commander leads a sinister parallel investigation, and Frances and Margaret become increasingly intent on solving the crime, and the wider coverup, no matter the cost. The murder, Frances and Margaret soon come to realise, may have disturbing connections with spiritualism.
Lombroso, with his expertise in crime, is reluctantly drawn into the investigation and soon realises there may be dangerous consequences for his career. In fact, this murder may have profound implications for the very nature of life and death. And the murderer may still be out there.
The show was written and directed by multi-award-winning podcast producer Conor Reid (creator of Words To That Effect), with a cast including Donncha O’Dea [The House (Druid), Somewhere Out There You (Abbey Theatre), Fair City (RTÉ)], Margaret Mc Auliffe (Rough Magic, Collapsing Horse, Fishamble, The Abbey Theatre), Amy O’Dwyer (Fair City, ) and Darragh Smith (The Night Joe Dolan’s Car Broke Down, Olympia Theatre).
The podcast will be of interest to lovers of gothic and the supernatural, as well as fans of crime, mystery, and all things Victorian. Whether it’s audiodramas like Welcome to Nightvale, The Magnus Archives, or Victoriocity; TV shows such as Penny Dreadful, Sherlock, or Carnival Row; or classic fiction from Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker to the ghost stories of M.R. James and Sheridan LeFanu, the podcast is sure to appeal.
I’m so excited to get this out in the world. It’s been a long time coming and a labour of love but I had a lot of support from the HeadStuff team and a fantastic team of actors who brought the whole thing to life. If you’re a fan of horror, crime or mystery audiodramas, I think you’re going to love this. And if you’re a podcast fan who doesn’t normally listen to audiodramas, well now’s the time to give it go!
– Conor Reid, creator
Listen to The Greatest Matter now, wherever you get your podcasts. For more information about the characters, actors and full transcripts go to thegreatestmatter.com
