Heat and Dust

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

15 Minute Drama

Drama

Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 FM

Pippa Bennett-Warner

Abby Ford

Simon Harrison

Ronny Jhutti

David Seddon

Neet Mohan

Will Howard

Thusitha Jayasundera

Debra Baker

Sam Dale

Chris Pavlo

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

Shelley Silas

Gaynor Macfarlane

15 Minute Drama: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala - Heat and Dust: Olivia

Olivia

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala - Heat and Dust

BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala - Heat and Dust, Olivia

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's Booker award winning book set in two separate eras in India.

Olivia and Douglas hope for a baby. Story of two English women living in India over 50 years apart. Stars Pippa Bennett-Warner.

Olivia and Douglas hope for a baby. 

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's beguiling story of two English women living in India more than 50 years apart. 

In 1923, Olivia is unhappily married to a civil servant. Her step-granddaughter travels to the subcontinent years later to investigate Olivia's life, which her family regarded as ‘something dark and terrible’. 

The story centres on the experiences of two very different women in pre- and post- Independence India. One is circumscribed by English mores and the formal social structures of the Raj while the other is free to fall in love, live among Indian people, feel part of the culture. So, it's the story of social change as well as a potent love story. 

Olivia ..... Pippa Bennett-Warner
Narrator ..... Abby Ford
Douglas ..... Simon Harrison
The Nawab ..... Ronny Jhutti
Harry ..... David Seddon
Inder Lal ..... Neet Mohan 
Chid ..... Will Howard
Maji ..... Thusitha Jayasundera
Beth Crawford ..... Debra Baker
Dr Saunders ..... Sam Dale
Major Minnies ..... Chris Pavlo

Dramatised by Shelley Silas. 

Pianist ..... Laurie O'Brien

Director:  Gaynor Macfarlane

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015.

15 Minute Drama: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala - Heat and Dust

BBC Radio 4

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

Beguiling story of two English women living in India more than 50 years apart.

Beguiling story of two English women living in India more than 50 years apart. Dramatised by Shelley Silas.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

15 Minute Drama

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala - Heat and Dust

Olivia

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4