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Showcase for works that push the boundaries of drama and narrative

Showcase for works that push the boundaries of drama and narrative, created by first-time radio writers and also writers distinguished in other forms

The Wire: The Wall

Drama: Political

The Wall

26/02/2011

BBC Radio 3 - The Wire, The Wall

Ed Harris's play addressing social inequality and unseen divisions in our cities.

Ed Harris's provocative play addressing social inequality and unseen urban divisions. A couple awake one morning to find their neighbourhood has been enclosed by a wall.

by Ed Harris

Paul and Anna wake up one morning to find their neighbourhood has been enclosed by a wall. The gates are guarded and anyone wanting to cross into the rest of the city has to apply for a pass.

They are told the Wall is there to protect them against violence between rival postcode gangs. They are told that their local community is being challenged by central government to do more for themselves. They are told that only certain individuals will qualify for a pass. And that they don't.

The Wall takes a provocative look at growing social inequality, using an image we're more used to seeing as a symbol of divided cultures abroad - in Gaza, or Baghdad, or Berlin, or in the ghettoes of the second World War - and to explore the unseen divisions in our own cities. The Wall doesn't just divide neighbourhoods. Soon it's tearing apart the people inside them.

Paul ..... Javone Prince
Anna ..... Louise Brealey
Joyce ..... Dona Croll
Hugh ..... Sam Dale
Kasey ..... Jessica Raine
Dylan ..... Nyasha Hatendi
Clarence ..... Sean Baker
Alex ..... Stuart McLoughlin
with Jo Monro

Producer/Director: Jonquil Panting


The writer Ed Harris spent time as a binman, husky trainer and care worker, before finding his way first to performance poetry, and then to drama. He's been Writer on Attachment at the Chichester Festival Theatre, where his epic play, LUCY, won the Chichester Festival Theatre Slams. His play NEVER EVER AFTER for Chalkfoot, was short-listed for the Meyer-Whitworth prize, and for his own theatre company, Squaremoon, he's written THE COW PLAY and TOTAL. He's currently writing MONGREL ISLAND for the Soho Theatre.
His plays for radio include ABSOLUTE SILENCE, PORSHIA, starring Robert Webb, AROMATHERAPY, starring Martin Freeman, THE MOMENT YOU FEEL IT, starring Richard Briers and Rory Kinnear, and TROLL, starring Rosie Cavaliero and Jack Klaff.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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