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Classic Serial: John Wyndham - The Chrysalids

Matthew Beard

Ben Hanley

Isobel Doran

Conrad Nelson

Jeff Hordley

Fiona Clarke

Verity-May Henry

Emma Cunniffe

Henry Devas

Robert Pickavance

Sydney Wade

John Wyndham

Nadia Molinari

Classic Serial: John Wyndham - The Chrysalids: Episode 1

Drama: SciFi & Fantasy

The Chrysalids

Episode 1

John Wyndham - The Chrysalids

BBC Radio 4 - Classic Serial, John Wyndham - The Chrysalids, Episode 1

Young people with telepathic powers are persecuted for their difference.

Young people with telepathic powers are persecuted for their difference. Post-apocalyptic sci-fi classic stars Matthew Beard, Ben Hanley, Isobel Doran and Conrad Nelson.

John Wyndham's post-apocalyptic science fiction classic dramatised by Jane Rogers.

Genetic mutation has devastated the world. In the emergent bleak, primitive society, any deviation is seen as the work of the devil, ruthlessly hunted out and destroyed. In law abiding, God-respecting Waknuk anyone who does not conform to the 'norm' must keep their deviation secret or face the consequences of discovery.

Directed by Nadia Molinari


Written in 1955 Wyndham's novel explores the dangers inherent in discrimination and the threats posed by religious fundamentalism. The 'Old People' who caused the apocalypse are depressingly like us: ' They were shut off by different languages and different beliefs. They created vast problems then buried their heads in the sands of idle faith.' The children of the future (the Chrysalids) are able to 'think-together' and so can rise above the selfish violence and conflicting religions of the past. Wyndham's story of a group of persecuted teenagers is more timely than ever in our post-Fukushima, war-riven, genetically engineered and religiously divided world. Jane Rogers is a playwright and novelist, her latest novel The Testament of Jessie Lamb won the Arthur C Clarke Award this year.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

John Wyndham's post-apocalyptic science fiction classic, dramatised by Jane Rogers

John Wyndham's post-apocalyptic science fiction classic, dramatised by Jane Rogers, in which a group of young people with telepathic powers are persecuted for their difference

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