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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

1. Episode 1 (25.9Mb)
2. Episode 2 (25.9Mb)
3. Episode 3 (26Mb)
4. Episode 4 (25.5Mb)
5. Episode 5 (25.5Mb)
6. Episode 6 (26Mb)
7. Episode 7 (25.8Mb)
8. Episode 8 (25.9Mb)
9. Episode 9 (25.9Mb)
10. Episode 10 (25.9Mb)
11. Episode 11 (25.9Mb)

MP3 files hosted by archive.org.