The Adventurers: Scenes from the East India Company

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Drama on 4

Drama

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

BBC Radio 4 LW

Drama on 4: The Adventurers: Scenes from the East India Company

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, The Adventurers: Scenes from the East India Company

Piracy, the Crown and big business come together in a drama about the East India Company.

Piracy, big business and the British Crown come together in Fin Kennedy’s action packed drama about the origins of the East India Company.

Piracy, big business and the English Crown come together in this action packed origin story of one of the most profitable businesses ever launched.

It was the staggeringly profitable trade in exotic spices that kick started the East India Company, the corporation that would come to define British Imperialism and global trade. Fin Kennedy’s drama, based on the known facts, tells the story of how this infamous enterprise came into being.

It was in 1594 that British pirates captured a huge Portuguese galleon laden with spices and, bringing it into port at Dartmouth, piqued the interest of Crown and traders alike. Why let the pirates make all the money? But with the Crown reluctant to fund further missions, the traders need an innovative solution to start their business – the Joint Stock Company, where anyone could invest. But even with the first mission a crucial choice arises – should they trade British products for these spices or just do as the pirates have done and plunder the traders who have already done the work? 

So begins not only the story of the East India Company but also the founding principles of global trade for years to come. 

Written by Fin Kennedy 

Tina Tucker				Holly Atkins
Younger Smythe / Reeves	Kyle Abdullah
Captain Burgh / Bernard		Nigel Barratt
Dale / Lancaster			Dario Coates
Lady Ashley				Lucy Phelps
Gilbert / Smythe / Hickson	Ben Turner

Other parts were played by Ardeshir Alexandre Sefre, Abraham Popoola, Salem Zayed
and members of the company.

Sound Design				Alisdair McGregor
Producer and Director		Boz Temple-Morris

A Holy Mountain 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.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Drama on 4

The Adventurers: Scenes from the East India Company

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4