Electric Decade: The Alice B Toklas Cookbook

BBC Radio 4 FM

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Electric Decade

Drama

Drama: Classic & Period

Classic titles that influenced and characterised the Jazz Age of the 1920s.

During 2020, we bring you a range of classic titles that influenced and characterised the Jazz Age of the 1920s.

During 2020, we bring you a range of classic titles that influenced and characterised the Jazz Age of the 1920s, from the beginnings of Modernism, through the parties and dancing as the shadow of the war was thrown off, to increasing uncertainty as the decade drew to a close.

Electric Decade: The Alice B Toklas Cookbook: Alice's Cookies

Alice's Cookies

The Alice B Toklas Cookbook

BBC Radio 4 - Electric Decade, The Alice B Toklas Cookbook, Alice's Cookies

The Jazz Age of the 1920s. Recipes and relationships are explored with Alice B Toklas.

Gertrude and Alice set off to explore Europe in their new car and find their dream house to rent.  The only obstacle is that it already has a tenant.

In this new drama by Sarah Woods the story of the first half of the twentieth century, the modern age, is told through the lens of the food grown, purchased, cooked and served by Alice B Toklas for her partner Gertrude Stein and their eclectic and talented guests.   

First published in 1954 and one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time, a "mingling of recipes and reminiscence", we follow this couple as they eat their way around France and America, being painted by Picasso and written about by Hemingway. 

In human terms, this is a story about Gertrude's determination and desire for success and it explores the lives of two women whose lives challenged so many norms - yet who knew that, in France, a potato salad must always be served surrounded by chicory.

Episode 5: Alice's Cookies 
In which Gertrude and Alice set off on their travels, meeting up with their friend Lily de Gramont and attempting to persuade a tenant to vacate their dream house. As our travels and reflections with Alice and Gertrude draw to a close, Alice reflects that 'To cook as the French do, one must respect the quality and flavor of the ingredients.  Exaggeration is not admissible. Flavours are not amalgamative. These qualities are not purchasable, but they may be cultivated.'

CAST:
ALICE ..... Deborah Findlay
GERTRUDE STEIN ..... Sharon D Clarke
LILY DE GRAMONT ..... Nimmy March

Writer: Sarah Woods
Producer/Director: Celia de Wolff
Sound Engineer: David Thomas
Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Tombling

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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.

Recipes and relationships are explored trough the food cooked and served by Alice B Toklas for her partner Gertrude Stein and their eclectic and talented guests.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Electric Decade

The Alice B Toklas Cookbook

Alice's Cookies

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4