Song of the Reed

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Drama on 4: Song of the Reed: Eel

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Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance return in seasonal drama set on a Norfolk nature reserve.

Third in a series of seasonal dramas following life on a wetlands nature reserve in Norfolk over one year, starring Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance.

Ian (played by Mark Rylance) has gone to work for neighbouring landowner Theo Buckhurst as Liv (Sophie Okonedo) prepares to sell up to Wildscapes – but nature, as ever, has a different plan, and a major flood event is forecast to engulf Fleggwick. 

The third in the series of Steve Waters’ seasonal dramas follows the life of a fictional wetlands nature reserve, over the period of one year. 

Storm clouds are well and truly established over the nature reserve Liv has inherited from her father. The oncoming flood will bring a pulse of salt water into the Fen, threatening countless fresh water species. And with plans to sell Fleggwick also complete, the future looks decidedly insecure in this otherwise beautiful corner of Norfolk. 

Song of the Reed is recorded on location at RSPB’s Strumpshaw Fen. The story is informed by the sounds of the reserve as well as the real work and science of conservation taking place in the face of rapid environmental change in the wetlands of Norfolk, and everywhere. 

Cast:
Liv - Sophie Okonedo
Ian - Mark Rylance
Tam - Ella Dorman Gajic
Kay - Molly Naylor
Theo - Tom Goodman-Hill
Nikki - Karen Hill
Charlie - Jimmy Rutherford
Voice of the Reed - Christine Kavanagh
Other parts played by staff and volunteers at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen

Written by Steve Waters
Music by	Michael Somerset Ward with Rebecca Hearne
Cello played by Liz Hanks
Sound design by Alisdair McGregor
Produced and Directed by Boz Temple-Morris	

A Holy Mountain production for BBC Radio 4

Drama on 4: Song of the Reed

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

Four seasonal dramas following life on a wetlands nature reserve in Norfolk over one year

Four seasonal dramas following life on a wetlands nature reserve in Norfolk over one year, starring Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance.

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