Drama on 3: Beowulf Retold

Original version

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Series of drama performances, ranging from experimental works to the Classics

Beowulf Retold

BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3, Beowulf Retold

A radiophonic adaptation of Beowulf, using different BBC versions broadcast over the years

Weaving in various archive productions of the epic poem, all connected by Seamus Heaney's translation, to create a remixed version, including a new commission by Patience Agbabi.

A radiophonic adaptation of the major poetic text - Beowulf - using the different BBC versions broadcast over the years, from the 1940s, including a Welsh language version, song, and a new commission by Patience Agbabi.  Seamus Heaney's version pulsates its way through the entire poem interconnecting the many different versions.  To celebrate and mark the BBC's strong relationship with poetry throughout its history.

Beowulf is the foundational myth of English literature, a classic text that has been interpreted by writers, poets and radio and film makers over and over again in the BBC's history. In this special remixed version we pull together extracts from the various productions over the years, showing how this text has been variously interpreted in different decades.
 It's one of the great universal stories - a hero who fights against the odds, finally arriving at a point where he must meet his destiny. 

Sandy Grierson plays Beowulf in Seamus Heaney's translation, abridged by Professor Laura Ashe @ University of Oxford.
Actors featured in the archive include: Julian Glover in his own adaptation, Derek Jacobi, Timothy West, Frank Lincoln
Rhys Parri Jones, John A. Owen, Hazel Wyn Williams, John Castle, Anna Calder-Marshall, Harvey Hallsmith, Carleton Hobbs, presenter Michael Woods, Beowulf song composed and performed by Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Poet Maria Dahvana Headley.

Production Co-ordinator - Pippa Day
Sound by Simon Highfield
Adapted, Produced and directed by Pauline Harris

BEOWULF RETOLD was nominated for Best Adaptation in 2024 BBC Audio Drama Awards, receiving a Commendation.

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