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BBC Radio 4 Extra

Charlotte Brontë in Babylon (Omnibus)

Drama: Biographical

Drama: Historical

Charlotte Bronte in Babylon

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Charlotte Brontë in Babylon (Omnibus)

Drama charting five momentous visits Charlotte made to London as a published author.

Accused of deceit by the publisher of Jane Eyre, Charlotte and Anne Brontë head straight to London. Stars Samantha Power.

How author Charlotte Brontë made five trips down to London in the course of her momentous, short-lived but meteoric literary career. 

These dramatic trips chart the story of her relationship with her young publisher (and his watchful, horrified Mama), Charlotte's wide-eyed enthusiasm at visiting the place of her childhood dreams at long last and being lionized as a writer by readers. 

We see her difficult relationships with other authors and critics - and then the gradual disillusionment setting in as this intense, painfully honest and gauche Yorkshire novelist gradually acquires self knowledge and a clear-eyed view of the cruel and shallow fashionable literary world she had long aspired to be part of.

Her first trip is sparked by accusations of deceit by the publisher of Jane Eyre.

So Charlotte and her sister Anne, leave Haworth and rush down to London to put the matter right...

Omnibus of five parts written by Charlotte Cory.

Charlotte ...... Samantha Power
Anne ...... Sara Bahadori
Mrs Smith ...... Claire Brown
George ...... Ben Lamb
Patrick/Shop Assistant ...... Robert Pickavance
Thackeray ...… Jonathan Keeble
Eliza …... Emily Pithon
Sarah ..…. Suzie Grimsdick
Critic …... Hamilton Birstock
Lady Davenham ..…. Ursula Holden Gill

Director:  Charlotte Riches

Producer:  Susan Roberts

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.

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