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John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

Producer and writer John Yorke unpacks the themes and impact behind the books, plays and stories that are being dramatised in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

Producer and writer John Yorke has worked in television and radio for 30 years, and he shares his experience with Radio 4 listeners as he unpacks the themes and impact behind the books, plays and stories that are being dramatised in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

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Opening Lines: Georges - Episode 2

Georges - Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - Opening Lines, Georges - Episode 2

John Yorke on Alexander Dumas and race in his forgotten classic; Georges.

In the series that looks at books, plays and stories and how they work, John Yorke looks at the theme of race in Alexander Dumas’ swashbuckling and forgotten classic;,

In the second of two episodes about Georges by Alexander Dumas, John Yorke looks at the central theme of the book - race.

Although a mixed race man, Alexandre Dumas very seldom addressed the issue of race in his work. Georges is the only novel in which it plays any part. Published after the abolition of slavery in France but before France banned slavery in its colonies, the central themes of Georges are revenge, for a racial insult, and race. John Yorke looks at how the book approaches these issues and Dumas' attitude towards his own heritage. 

John Yorke has worked in television and radio for nearly 30 years, and he shares his experience with Radio 4 listeners as he unpacks the themes and impact of the books, plays and stories that are being dramatized in BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Drama series.

From EastEnders to the Archers, Life on Mars to Shameless, he has been obsessed with telling big popular stories. He has spent years analysing not just how stories work but why they resonate with audiences around the globe and has brought together his experience in his bestselling book Into the Woods. As former Head of Channel Four Drama, Controller of BBC Drama Production and MD of Company Pictures, John has tested his theories during an extensive production career working on some of the world’s most lucrative, widely viewed and critically acclaimed TV drama. As founder of the hugely successful BBC Writers Academy John has trained a generation of screenwriters - his students have had 17 green-lights in the last two years alone.

Contributors:
David Coward, Emeritus Professor of Literature at Leeds University 
Tina Kover, Translator of the first English translation of Georges for more than a century
Dr Mike Phillips, Writer

Reading by Sam Dale

Credits:
Georges by Alexandre Dumas. 
Publisher Modern Library Inc; Reprint edition (1 Sept. 2008)
Translator: Tina Kover

Produced by Alison Vernon-Smith
Executive Producer: Caroline Raphael
Sound by Sean Kerwin
Researcher:  Nina Semple
Production Manager:  Sarah Wright

A Pier production for BBC 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.

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