Fifteen Dogs

BBC Radio 4 LW

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

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Fifteen Dogs: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - Fifteen Dogs, Episode 1

Two gods make a bet that if they give human intelligence to dogs they will all die unhappy

Hermes and Aphrodite make a bet that if they give human intelligence to dogs they will all die unhappy. With their new powers, Atticus and Majnoun, mastiff and poodle take the lead

Over drinks in Stoke Newington, Hermes and Aphrodite get into a debate about whether animals could live happily if they had the same cognitive and speech abilities as humans. They decide to wager a year of servitude on the outcome of granting the gifts of human reasoning and language to a group of dogs in a nearby kennel.

Given their newfound abilities, the dogs are able to escape, where they set up their own new protosociety. The novel then explores the functioning of their new society through the impact of human values, such as individuality and personal freedom, on the conventionally hierarchical social order of dog packs. Key characters in the canine society include Atticus, a Neapolitan Mastiff who naturally emerges as the group leader; Majnoun, a black poodle who is reluctant to trust other dogs; and Princess, a mongrel who embraces her language skills to become a poet.

The novel was written by Canadian writer André Alexis and has been freely adapted by Mike Harris who has many successful Radio 4 credits to his name.

Cast:
Zeus ..... Paterson Joseph
Aphrodite ..... Emma Pierson
Hermes ..... Arty Froushan
Majnoun ..... David Ajoa
Atticus ..... Paul Kemp
Princess ..... Kate Chambers
Bonny and Rosie ..... Lotte Rice
Mick ..... John Hollingworth
Nira ..... Prisca Bakare
Kim ..... Christopher Buckley
Women ..... Felicity Duncan
The Fates and all other parts played by members of the cast.

Adapted for Radio by Mike Harris
Produced and Directed by Clive Brill
A Brill Production for BBC Radio 4

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Over drinks in Stoke Newington, Hermes and Aphrodite make a bet that if they give human intelligence to dogs they will all die unhappy. André Alexis's novel adapted by Mike Harris.

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