The Master and Margarita: a radio project

Hello!

My name’s Rosa Ellen, I’m an Australian radio producer and I’m making a radio documentary about Mikhail Bulgakov’s classic novel The Master and Margarita.

Do you love this book? Then I want to hear from you, dear reader.

As you may know, the novel is a surreal mash-up of genres: a dark, satirical comedy of life in Stalinist Moscow; an account of the last days of Jesus of Nazareth and a moving love story between a struggling writer and his true love, the valiant Margarita.

I’m asking fans of The Master and Margarita (wherever you are in the world, and in your language) to record simple voice messages for me to include in the documentary.

The due date is April 30. If you’re interested in participating, please email me: mmradioproject@gmail.com

The documentary will be broadcast on ABC Radio National, Australia’s public broadcaster.

I’d like to know:

  • When did you first encounter the novel?
  • What impact did it have?  
  • What is your favourite part and why?
  • Do you have any stories or anecdotes about Bulgakov’s novel? (did it introduce you to new friends, places? Did it inspire you to learn Russian or black magic or invest in real estate? Dare I say it… did it change your life?)
  • Also, who are you and where are you recording from? (this is optional!)

How to send me a voice message:

OR you can go right ahead and record me a message on the voice memo app on your smartphone! It can be as long or short as you like. You can read something you have prepared, or you can ad-lib. If you have a digital recorder you can also record on that.

Then email the recording to me: mmradioproject@gmail.com

Please include a message in the email. If you’re unable to send me a voice memo, email me. I will reply to all.

Warmest wishes in these strange and difficult times,

Rosa

Twitter: rosajellen  Instagram: totheisland_podcast

How to record a voice memo (more detailed instructions):

1. Find a quiet spot and open the voice memo app on your smartphone (if you don’t have one installed you can find in the app store).
2. Press the ‘record’ button to start new recording.
3. Hold the phone’s microphone (located at the base of the phone) a few centimetres (a bit over an inch) from your mouth and start speaking. Tell me your thoughts about the M&M.
4. Once you’ve finished speaking, press the ‘record’ button again to stop, then ‘Share’ to send as an email.
5. Select the ‘email’ icon and enter mmradioproject@gmail.com Don’t forget to write me a message in the email! That’s it.