Heartstrings

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

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Drama: Heartstrings

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BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Heartstrings

A haunting story of obsession and betrayal set on the Norfolk coast.

Kate arrives at a cottage on the Norfolk coast to finish her novel, with boyfriend in tow. Cracks widen in their relationship as reality and fiction become dangerously blurred.

A haunting story of love, obsession and betrayal set on the Norfolk coast. 

Kate and her ex-boyfriend James arrive at her family’s empty Norfolk bungalow where she hopes to find the peace, as well as the inspiration, to finish her debut novel. 

The cottage backs onto a cliff top, with nothing but sea, sky and looming wind turbines.  During the few stormy days cooped up in the cottage, the story of Kate’s novel becomes tangled with the feelings of guilt she has following her mother’s suicide, and the very present memory of a sea shanty she heard as a child.  Cracks widen in their relationship when James, a more successful writer, has an agenda of his own to pursue. 

Kate's world begins to unravel as reality and fiction become dangerously blurred.

Imogen Lea's first radio drama is the second of two plays featuring new voices from East Anglia. It was recorded on location in Norfolk.

Cast

Kate ..... Rosalind Burt
James ..... Charlie Layburn
Beryl ..... Judith Street
Carol ..... Gilian Cally
Garage attendant ..... Greg Powles

Song composed and performed by Jessica Temple
Sound design by Jon Nicholls
Directed and produced by Fiona McAlpine

An Allegra production for BBC Radio 4

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