Lines in the Sand - The Journeys of Gertrude Bell

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Drama on 4: Lines in The Sand: The Journeys of Gertrude Bell (Part One)

Lines in The Sand: The Journeys of Gertrude Bell (Part One)

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Lines in The Sand: The Journeys of Gertrude Bell (Part One)

A compelling portrait of the extraordinary life of Gertrude Bell, starring Fenella Woolgar

Fascinating insight into the life of explorer, writer, archaeologist, and colonial diplomat, Gertrude Bell. Adapted and dramatised by Mary Cooper, starring Fenella Woolgar.

Adapted and dramatised by Mary Cooper
Based on the book, 'Queen of the Desert' by Georgina Howell 

Gertrude Bell was the daughter of one of Britain’s richest industrialists. She became the first woman to be commissioned in British Military Intelligence, and the only woman to join British occupying forces in Baghdad in April, 1917. She defied family ambitions of an aristocratic marriage to become a linguist, explorer, writer, diplomat and ally to Arab leaders.  

This compelling portrait draws on letters to her family in Yorkshire, and her lost lover to reveal the human struggles of her pioneering life. 

Cast: 

Gertrude ..... Fenella Woolgar
Hugh ..... Malcolm Raeburn
Florence ...... Alexandra Mathie
T.E Lawrence/Billy Johnson ....... Rupert Hill 
Percy Cox ...... Jonathan Keeble
Sheikh Nasib/ Abdulaziz ..... Ali Gadema
Saleh/Karim/Mikhail ....... Naithan Ariane
Lady Cox/Marie ........ Emma Gregory
General ...... Raad Rawi
Brown ...... Ian Bartholomew

Sound design by Sharon Hughes
Produced and directed by Jessica Mitic

A BBC Audio Drama North production

With thanks to Ali Refaie, Basheer Al-Zaidi and the Gertrude Bell Archive at Newcastle University 
Image copyright: Gertrude Bell Archive

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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Lines in The Sand: The Journeys of Gertrude Bell (Part One)

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