This December, BBC World Service launches a major new audio dramatisation of Susan Cooper’s classic family novel The Dark Is Rising.

Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service, co-produced by Complicité and Catherine Bailey Productions, and adapted by writer Robert Macfarlane and actor/director Simon McBurney, the story - set in the depths of winter - follows young Will Stanton on an epic quest to drive back the rising forces of darkness.

In an extra special midwinter event at the RSA, Simon and Robert will discuss their collaboration in conversation with RSA head of education, John McMahon.

Together, they’ll reflect on the work’s powerful and sharply resonant themes of elemental crisis, fate, free will, trial and resistance. 

What lessons does it hold for our age of conflict and climate emergency? And what is the purpose of storytelling when the dark times draw near?

The Dark is Rising will be available as an immersive podcast best experienced on headphones. Available in 12 daily episodes on BBC World Service from 20th December, there’s a special early podcast preview on 19th December on BBC Sounds and other podcast platforms. The series will also be broadcast on Radio 4 from 26th December. Find out more: www.bbcworldservice.com/darkisrising

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