Set in London 1850 -1851 at the time of The Great Exhibition, The Doll Factory follows the story of a young woman called Iris who we first meet painting the faces of tiny porcelain dolls.

Iris burns to become an artist but her modest upbringing and strict working class parents have always meant this seems to be little more than a dream. She lives with her twin sister, Rose, in a room above a doll shop in Regent Street. When a chance encounter offers the glimpse of a new life she is ready to embrace it.

In Episode 1, a solitary taxidermist finishes his latest commission.

Written by Elizabeth MacNeal
Read by Louise Brealey
Abridged by Isobel Creed and Lizzie Davies
Produced by Lizzie Davies
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4 Show less