Khyber is a 1935 Australian radio serial by Edmund Barclay set in the north west frontier of India. According to contemporary reports "Undoubtedly it has proved one of the most successful serials ever broadcast in Australia or any part of the world."
It was allegedly based on the experiences of Barclay's father in India.
Barclay said "I did not set myself a basic plot to work upon in ‘Khyber’. I have found that the best way to work is to create a number of totally different characters then turn them loose in a particular set of circumstances and leave it to them. This method of working, of course, sometimes pro-duces peculiar results —one or more of the characters running awTiy with the story."
The serial was very popular and Barclay later adapted it into a novel.
It was reportedly the first radio play in which Peter Finch and John Tate appeared.
Select Episodes
Ep 1 (13 May 1935) By the Shalimar
Ep 2 Keeping the Gates
Ep 3 Hand to Hand
Ep 4 Domes of Mystery
Ep 5 Friend or Foe? Ep 6 Down from the Hills Ep 7 (1 July 1935) With Edged Tools Ep 8 (8 July 1935) Secret Service Ep 9 The Flying Fool Ep 10 Love to Hatred Turned Ep 11 High Diplomacy Ep 12 - The Secret City Ep 13 Dead Man's Hills Ep 14 (19 Aug) Mystery of K21 Ep 15 Turning the Tables Ep 16 Avalance Ep 17 Armistice Ep 18 Saved and Lost Ep 19 The Whispering Skull Ep 20 Back to Walizanee Ep 21 Prelude to War Ep 22 Diamond Cut Diamond Ep 23 Rebellion Ep 24 Nearing the End Ep 25 K21 Reveals Ep 26 Goodbye Khyber - last episode Last Ep (18 Nov 1935) The Rebellion
Khyber and Beyond
The serial led to a sequel Khyber and Beyond.
Episodes
Ep One (25 Nov 1935) - 'The Storm Clouds Gather'
Ep 2 (2 Dec) Kabul
Ep 3 The Trap Closes
Ep 4 Nobby's Idyll
Ep 5 (23 Dec) - Catching a Tartar
Ep 6 (30 Dec) Ep Seven - The Tempest Ep 12 Temple Intrigue Ep 13 Mutiny Ep 18 Check