China Towns By Arnold Bennett

In this radical reinterpretation of Arnold Bennett’s classic novels set in the Staffordshire potteries, it’s the 19th Century, and the Industrial Revolution is at full throttle. Only the ruthless thrive in this uncompromising world – and Ephraim Tellwright, and Darius Clayhanger, are both determined to succeed.

From humble beginnings, these two self-made men have risen to become wealthy and powerful. Now, they hold the fate of the Five Towns in their hands, passing judgement on those who put the prosperity and reputation of their community at risk....

Over 10 hours and almost 40 years, we follow them, their descendants and the inhabitants of Bursley and the Five Towns, as individuals rise, fall, flourish, age and see the world around them become unrecognisable, transformed by new technology. Fortunes are lost, hearts broken, empires built and compromises made.

These tales of aspiration and passion, damage and danger, are told with Bennett's forensic eye for human psychology, and a surprising degree of witty comedy, and feature a star cast.

Ephraim Tellwright ….. Neil Dudgeon
Darius Clayhanger ….. Tim McInnerny
Edwin ….. Cameron Percival
Aunty Hamps ….. Carolyn Pickles
Big James ….. Ian Conningham
Constance ….. Bryony Hannah
Sophia ….. Alexandra Constantinidi
Mrs Baines ….. Clare Corbett
Mr Povey ….. Lewis Bray
Shushions ….. Michael Bertenshaw
Thwaite ….. Tony Turner
Machin ….. Christopher Harper
Snaggs ….. Don Gilet
Jeannie ….. Saffron Coomber
Hilda . . . Lucy Doyle
Janet . . . Saffron Coomber
Ruth Tellwright . . . Rebekah Staton
Mr Povey . . . Lewis Bray
Ingpen . . . Don Gilet
Cassie . . . Jeanette Percival
Titus Price . . . Michael Bertenshaw
Dr Heve . . . Tony Turner
Edwin . . . Nick Underwood
Anna . . . Kate O’Flynn
Grace . . . Kate Donnachie
Dr Stirling . . . Sam Dale
Mr Boldero . . . Tony Turner
Dramatised for radio by Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan.
Directed by Gemma Jenkins
Produced by Marion Nancarrow
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2019

Episode 1 00:00
It’s the 19th Century and the Industrial Revolution is at full throttle. Only the ruthless thrive in this uncompromising world. Edwin Clayhanger leaves school with dreams of becoming a painter but his father’s having none of it.

Episode 2 56:30
One family is about to be hit by scandal while elsewhere in the community religious rivalry threatens to turn ugly.

Episode 3 1:53:00
Tellwright schemes to rid the Five Towns of unwanted elements while Sophia’s joy at escaping her home town is shortlived.

Episode 4 2:49:40
Stranded in Paris, Sophia’s fate hangs in the balance. Back home, outspoken and fearless Hilda Lessways is breaking hearts and turning heads.

Episode 5 3:45:23
Love and desire come to the Five Towns. Tellwright discovers life still has the capacity to surprise and Hilda Lessways chooses adventure over security.

Episode 6 4:41:06
Industrial action brings Bursley to a standstill. Against this backdrop of defiance, Edwin declares his love for Hilda but a secret threatens their chance of a life together. Happiness is hard won in the Five Towns but easily snatched away.

Episode 7 5:37:43
Darius Clayhanger faces his day of reckoning while across the seas love finds a way to thrive during the Siege of Paris

Episode 8 6:33:54
Anna Tellwright is the daughter of the most feared man in the Five Towns. She receives life-changing news on her 21st birthday.

Episode 9 7:30:27
Ephraim Tellwright’s single-minded pursuit of business has tragic consequences for those who get in his way.

Episode 10 8:27:00
Unhappily married and bored of being a Councillor’s wife, Hilda decides to play with fire.

Episode 11 9:23:30
It’s 1903 and change is coming to the Five Towns. Refusing to let old age hold him back, Ephraim Tellwright embarks on a campaign to persuade a divided community to embrace Federation. There are no signs that his ongoing feud with his daughters is coming to an end.

Ephraim Tellwright . . . Neil Dudgeon
Sophia . . . Imogen Stubbs
Constance . . . Emma Cunniffe
Edwin . . . Nick Underwood
Anna . . . Kate O’Flynn
Grace . . . Kate Donnachie
Dr Stirling . . . Sam Dale
Mr Boldero . . . Tony Turner
The Waiter . . . Lewis Bray
The Clerk . . . Joseph Ayre

Incidental music arranged by Colin Guthrie and performed by Colin Guthrie, Peter Ringrose and Ian Conningham.

Produced and directed by Gemma Jenkins.

The Series Producers are Marion Nancarrow and Gemma Jenkins

Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio?
Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows

If you would like to buy me a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98

Old Tube Radio can also be found on other platforms
UGETube https://ugetube.com/@oldtuberadio98
Rumble https://rumble.com/user/Oldtuberadio
Bitchute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/oldtuberadio98
DailyMotion https://www.dailymotion.com/dm_ce224a31523476f7e6154bedb40b24e8
Or Direct via
https://paypal.me/oldtuberadio
Thank you
and
Please don't forget to subscribe
Thank You