Audio Drama: Under Drake's Flag {Review}

audio drama

Do you love History? Do you love a good adventure? Do you love audio drama? If so, you are in for a treat!

Heirloom Audio Productions presents Under Drake's Flag, from The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty. History, adventure, danger, and chivalry are combined for an exciting audio drama in this daring and romantic adventure on the high seas.


Set in 1572, at the height of the Spanish Inquisition, the story centers around Ned Hawkshaw, a boy on the verge of manhood and on a quest for courage. We listen as he sets sail with the famous and honorable sea captain, Sir Francis Drake, finds adventure, and grows into a man.



How did we use Under Drake's Flag?

Ideal for ages 6-adult, my husband and I listened to the whole story with our three youngest, ages 3, 7, and 9, on an afternoon drive up the mountain. But, I plan to include this as required listening for my boys when they get to the Spanish Inquisition!

With fantastic dialogue, music, and sound effects, Under Drake's Flag takes audio drama to a new level. The fast moving story and powerful sound effects right from the start kept my little listeners captivated and their imaginations going wild with colorful scenes of the high seas, shark attacks, sea battles, and shipwrecks.



The study guide outlines the storyline and the principles it teaches. Each set of questions has three parts, Listening Well, Thinking Further, and Defining Words.



The guide also includes three short Bible studies on Godly character, a short biography and prayer of Sir Francis Drake, a bibliography, and recommended reading to learn more about Sir Francis Drake.

A full length study guide is also available via download.


The PDF Study Guide is a more in-depth guide.



What do we think?

I asked my children what they liked about Under Drakes Flag. They said everything! So, I asked for a few specific things:

  • Malachi: It's adventurous.

  • Eliana: It's cool. I like the interesting sounds.

  • Malachi: I liked the battles and the time period in History.

  • Eliana: It was fun to listen to in the car.

  • Malachi: I liked the shark attack and the part about the Spanish Inquisition. I liked their bravery. I felt like I was in the story.

  • Eliana: I like the part where they are on the boat and they got lost at sea on the little raft boat.

It was a really enjoyable afternoon drive and we enjoyed listening to Under Drake's Flag. The story is not only inspirational and full of courage, honor, and faith, and based on real historical characters, but it was entertaining as well.

Was there anything I didn't like?

I sometimes got confused about who was who and what was going on, so I was often asking my husband, "What just happened?" The kids didn't seem to have any trouble, nor my husband, so maybe I'm just not an audio learner! I do prefer to read aloud than to be read aloud to, so it's quite possible I am more of a visual learner than an audio learner. Thankfully, my children seem to be audio learners and have great imaginations!

I normally have to turn the volume up or down when listening to audio dramas (down during the exciting times and up when they are whispering), but the audio for Under Drake's Flag was very well done.

There are some intense scenes, and I was concerned at one point when the boys were being forced to accept the Catholic faith or die, but they did not get too intense for my children and we were able to listen to the whole thing.

Final Thoughts

We really enjoy listening to audio drama, and if you do too, you and your children are sure to enjoy Under Drake's Flag. We are looking forward the newest audio drama, In Freedom's Cause, based on William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce due to release in November.

Price: $29.95 2-CD Set

Be sure to listen to a short 60 second summary of Under Drake's Flag to learn more!

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