Song of the Reed

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: Song of the Reed: Song of the Reed: Swallowtail

Swallowtail

Song of the Reed: Swallowtail

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Song of the Reed, Song of the Reed: Swallowtail

Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance in a seasonal drama set on a wetlands nature reserve.

First of four seasonal dramas following life on a wetlands nature reserve in Norfolk over one year, starring Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance.

Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance star in the first of Steve Waters’ seasonal dramas following the life of Fleggwick, a fictional wetlands nature reserve, over the period of one year. 

Fleggwick, like the ecosystem it protects, is under threat. The site was not financially sustainable when its founder passed away so his daughter Liv (Sophie Okonedo) needs to find a way for it to survive. But if that means selling out to ‘trendy conservation’ then Ian (Mark Rylance), the Warden, wants nothing to do with it.

Recorded on location at RSPB’s Strumpshaw Fen, the story is informed by the real work and science of conservation taking place in the face of rapid environmental change in the wetlands of Norfolk, and everywhere.

It’s a rainy summer's day and a Swallowtail Safari is being held at the reserve with members of the public, as well as a manager from WildScapes, visiting Fleggwick with the hope of catching a glimpse of the elusive and utterly beautiful swallowtail butterfly. The future of the reserve may ride on it.

Cast:
Liv ..... Sophie Okonedo
Ian ..... Mark Rylance
Tam ..... Ella Dorman Gajic
Kay ..... Molly Naylor
Sadegh ..... Zaydun Khalaf
Nikki ..... Karen Hill
Voice of the Reed ..... Christine Kavanagh
Other parts played by staff and volunteers at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen

Written by Steve Waters
Music by Michael Somerset Ward with Rebecca Hearne
Sound Design by Alisdair McGregor

Produced and Directed by Boz Temple-Morris	
A Holy Mountain production for BBC Radio 4

Drama on 4: Song of the Reed

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Four seasonal dramas following life on a wetlands nature reserve in Norfolk over one year

Four seasonal dramas following life on a wetlands nature reserve in Norfolk over one year, starring Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Drama on 4

Song of the Reed

Song of the Reed: Swallowtail

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4