Drama of the Week

By Rex Obano

1988. Margaret Thatcher is now in her third term as Prime Minister. Hopeton is lonely and frustrated, living at his friend's boxing gym while fighting to get Joy and his family back. Meanwhile Joy is fighting to build a new life with Dhiren, combining their differing cultures. Can both of them succeed in getting their life back?

Joy ..... Cherrelle Skeete
Hopeton ..... Solomon Israel
Dhiren Patel ..... Vikash Bhai
Duke/Waiter ..... David Webber
Glory ..... Trinity Benjamin
Gujarati woman/Customer ..... Chetna Pandya
Job Centre Assistant/Boxer/Store Manager ..... Lloyd Thomas

Production Co-ordinators are Maggie Olgiati and Jenny Mendez
Produced by Pat Cumper
Directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike
A BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4

*****
Faith, Hope and Glory began following the lives of Hope, Faith (Eunice) and Gloria in the UK in 1946. Three generations of three families bound together by the fate of one baby lost and found on Tilbury Dock. All three are now settled in their lives in 1980s Britain.

We have reached the late 1980s. A new generation of Black Britons is gaining in confidence and and seizing their place in Thatcher’s Britain, making their mark on the political, social, and creative fabric of their home and forming new bonds with other. Joy has married Dhiren and is adapting to his religion and way of life as he takes steps into hers to create a blended family. Joy’s ex-husband, Hopeton, is desperate not to let that happen.

Daisy Johnson is a multi-award-winning short story writer whose debut novel Everything Under was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

In The Stranger she weaves a gentle romantic story beginning with an unusual flatshare to save money, then twists it into a suspenseful thriller all in the space of 14 minutes - read by Saffron Coomber.

Saffron Coomber has recently starred in Sir Lenny Henry's Windrush drama Three Little Birds, was in Small Axe by Steve McQueen, and made her West End debut as Shakespeare's muse in Emilia by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

Written by Daisy Johnson
Read by Saffron Coomber
Produced by Allegra McIlroy

By Helen Cross.

Rose has made a fresh start in the City of Angels and life feels good. But she can't ignore the past, and now it's starting to bite.

Her ex-boss Maya is loving never getting older and has Rose to thank for that. Maya has big plans for a 'rejuvenation' spa in the California hills, but Rose suspects all is not what it seems. On top of that she's worried that someone, or something, is trying to send her telepathic messages. But are they to warn her, or frighten her?

Stylish and surprising fantasy horror with a comic twist, starring Alexandra Mardell (Coronation Street) and Demetri Goritsas (Ten Percent). With music by Dana Margolin and Sam Yardley of Mercury-nominated band, Porridge Radio.

Helen Cross wrote ‘My Summer of Love’ which won a Betty Trask award and was made into a Bafta-winning film with Emily Blunt (recently rated her best film in The Guardian top ten Emily Blunt films). Mary Ward-Lowery won Best Director in 2020 Audio Drama Awards.

Rose ... Alexandra Mardell
Maya ... Miranda Braun
Austin ... Demetri Goritsas
Siobhan ... Deirdre Mullins
Delphine ... Yasemin Özdemir
Mam ... Jane Thornton
Jack ... Tyler Cameron
Gym owner ... Don Gilet
Dakota ... Rhiannon Neads
Alina ... Kitty O'Sullivan
Englishman ... Martin Bonger
Angry Man ... Douglas Hodgson
Gully ... Bruce Casswell

Original music written and performed by Dana Margolin and Sam Yardley of Porridge Radio.

Sound design by Ilse Lademann and Mary Ward-Lowery
Assistant Producer ... Alison Crawford
Director ... Mary Ward-Lowery

By Samantha Harvey. Mum drives through the Dark Hedges, crossing a threshold into a different world. Read by Deirdre Mullins.

Topical fiction inspired by the story, in this week's news, that some of the beech trees that line the Bregagh Road in Armoy, County Antrim, have been felled amid concern for public safety. The trees, a landmark in their own right, were made more famous after featuring in the fantasy drama Game of Thrones.

Samantha won the Betty Trask Prize for her first novel The Wilderness, which was longlisted for the Man Booker, and shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Guardian First Book Award. Her work has been described by critics as 'spectacular', 'beautiful' and 'profound', and her latest novel, 'Orbital', an 'awe-inspiring and humbling love letter to Earth', has been selected by The Guardian as one of the most important books of 2023.

Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery

Atmospheric drama from BBC Radio 4 with bonus scenes for BBC Sounds, featuring original music by Imelda May.

Have you ever wondered where the term 'gaslighting' comes from? Find out in episode 1 of this dark reimagining of the classic 1938 stage thriller by Patrick Hamilton. To hear the series in full, just search for Gaslight in BBC Sounds.

Jonathan Holloway's modern adaptation is set in the present, with a deliciously vintage feel.

Jack Manningham has used his wife’s recently inherited money to buy a huge period property - a former bell foundry - which they will renovate. They occupy a small habitable part of the ground floor and basement. This previously neglected ramshackle building is lit by gas, as it was in Victorian times.

In this first episode, Jack and Bella find a house that suits them and there's a lot riding on the screening of their latest film.

Cast in order of appearance:

Tippi Griffiths ..... Lacey Turner
Jack Manningham ..... James Purefoy
Bella Harding ..... Rebecca Night
Ishani Rawe / Izzy ..... Macadie Amoroso
DCI Nina Rawe ..... Cathy Tyson
DI Reynolds / Michael McLennon / Chris De Jeanne ..... Richard Lintern

Written by Jonathan Holloway, based on the original play by Patrick Hamilton

Music: Imelda May with Tim Bran

Produced by Sally Harrison with James Purefoy
Directed by Johnny Vegas

A Woolyback production in association with Darling Pictures, for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds