Line #7 AudioPlay/TheSandman2020


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sandmanacti.png]]
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3	A multi-part AudioAdaptation of ''ComicBook/TheSandman1989'', written by author Creator/NeilGaiman, directed by Dirk Maggs, and scored by James Hannigan for the audiobook platform Audible. Though billed as an audiobook, the adaptation is closer to an AudioPlay, as it features a full voice cast, a score, sound effects, and comprehensive narration (provided by Gaiman) in lieu of the comics' rich visuals.
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5	Like the comic, the audiobook follows the titular Sandman aka Morpheus aka Dream (Creator/JamesMcAvoy), one of seven nigh-immortal beings known as the Endless tasked with maintaining fundamental universal functions -- and his dominion is the dreams of all living things.
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7	Act I of the audio play was released in July 2020, adapting the ''Preludes and Nocturnes'', ''The Doll's House'', and ''Dream Country'' arcs of the comic. Act II, adapting ''Season of Mists'', ''A Game of You'', and part of ''Fables and Reflections'', was released in September 2021. Act III, finishing ''Fables and Reflections'' and carrying on to ''Brief Lives'' and ''World's End'', was released in September 2022. Barring some chapter reshufflings, the audio play is a largely faithful adaptation.
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9	----
10	!!Tropes:
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12	* AppearanceIsInTheEyeOfTheBeholder: As in the comics, the appearances of the Endless can change depending on who is perceiving them. In this auditory medium, it is represented by their accents changing drastically; Morpheus is normally voiced by Scotsman Creator/JamesMcAvoy, but his voice changes to that of Black British Creator/JasonForbes when speaking to the ancient African Nada.
13	* AudioAdaptation: An audio adaptation of ''ComicBook/TheSandman1989''. Though billed as an audiobook, it's closer to an audio play, with a full voice cast, narration, and sound effects.
14	* AdaptationExpansion: Only a few panels of the original ''Sleep of the Just'' were devoted to Wesley Dodds, the Golden Age Sandman. Here, he gets a full scene where he rescues a woman from a mugger/rapist, as well as a brief snippet of him stopping a purse snatcher.
15	* TheBodyPartsThatMustNotBeNamed: Averted. Unlike in the original version of ''A Game of You'', the conversation about men thinking with different body parts instead of their brains uses the word "dicks" rather than having to use "dorks" as a substitute for it.
16	* CastingGag:
17	** The audiobook isn't the first time Creator/MichaelSheen has played an angel in a Creator/NeilGaiman [[Series/GoodOmens2019 adaptation]]. The big difference is that this time, instead of being a nebbish NiceGuy, he's the ultimate evil.
18	** It's also far from the first time that Creator/BebeNeuwirth [[WesternAnimation/{{Cyberchase}} has played]] a [[WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries cat.]]
19	* CelebrityParadox:
20	** In Act III, a scene in a nightclub has "Tear In Your Hand" by Tori Amos playing. That song includes a ShoutOut to Neil Gaiman and ''The Sandman'':
21	--->'''If you need me, me and Neil'll be'''\
22	'''Hangin' out with the Dream King.'''
23	** Also in Act III, Charlene says that the concept of a reality storm sounds like "something from ''Franchise/StarTrek''." Her travelling companion, Brant, is voiced by [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Wesley Crusher himself]], Creator/WilWheaton.
24	* ChildlikeVoice: Like her siblings, Delirium is a TimeAbyss, but to emphasize her position as the youngest of the Endless and the least mentally stable, her voice actress Creator/KristenSchaal gives her a high, kiddy voice.
25	* EffeminateVoice: The nonbinary Desire, in contrast to the deeper voices of their brothers, has a lighter, higher speaking voice provided by Creator/JustinVivianBond.
26	* EtherealChoir: Orpheus's undead chorus in "Thermidor" can be heard here rather than seen on a comic panel as in the source material. It starts with him singing in Greek before being joined in the background by the pile of other decapitated heads. The sight and sound are so chilling Johanna's captors let her escape.
27	* FlashyTeleportation: In the "Brief Lives" arc, the Endless' teleportation when arriving or departing conversations with each other are signified with a sparkly sound effect.
28	* GlowingEyes: Both covers for Act I and Act III focus on the powerful immortal Morpheus, and feature his trademark eyes that glow like stars as centerpieces.
29	* IAmVeryBritish: Creator/JoannaLumley puts on a posh RP as 19th-century English noblewoman Johanna Constantine.
30	* {{Leitmotif}}: "The Song of Orpheus" is the melody for all of Orpheus's songs, such as the one he sings on his wedding day and the one he sings during "Thermidor". It also appears as part of the score at some points.
31	* TheNarrator: Creator/NeilGaiman provides narration for the audiobook, using descriptions to set the scene in place of the comics' visuals.
32	* RadioVoice: In "Brief Lives" each chapter begins with soundbytes from earlier chapters made to sound staticky and distorted, akin to a radio.
33	* SentientSands: Since Morpheus is TheSandman, several pieces of promotional art for the audiobook utilize beings that seem to be made of sand.
34	* SparedByTheAdaptation: Maisie Hill doesn't say her transgender granddaughter died in this version, unlike the comics where she was implied to have been killed by a serial killer.
35	* YourOtherLeft: In part 7 of ''Brief Lives'', Morpheus is briefly heard saying "your other right" when giving directions to Delirium on which way to go through an amusement park maze to get to Destiny's realm.

Context AudioPlay / TheSandman2020