The Audio Drama Show

It is 1972. In Belfast, Northern Ireland, bombs are exploding and the Rainbow’s End Community Arts Centre’s “fab four” is about to disband. With their last music gig cancelled, Dan, Jimmy, Rebecca, and Elle take off for the countryside to spend a last day together. From a year previous, their letters home set the scene for the ambitions, conflicts, secrets and sadness that will follow. 

Episode 1 of 4 

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Two young Irish boys, Shay and Kieran, a gang, boyhood pranks and games to "reach the moon". Shay's uncle Peadar looms into view and he tramps home. The bed-time legend of the Sandman is a precursor to significant events - Shay's tumble into the sea, rescue by two kind neighbours, and revelation about the true nature of adults and relationships.

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Rafael wakes early. It is the morning of an important job interview. Even when his rival for the post drops out, he is still interviewed. "They did not ask if I wanted the job" is the precursor to violent and life-changing events for Rafael and his wife Zofia.

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In Ireland, grandfather Mr Lannigan - a "true artist" - meets with local priest Father Moylan about a matter-in-hand: ostensibly, his grandson's broken hurling stick. As the conversation develops, the real issue turns out to be something much more cruel and damaging. Resolution achieved, Lannigan's thoughts return again to his art.

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Following the tragedy of Mrs Edson's death, Mrs Lirriper and Major Jackman are now her son Little Jemmy's guardians. In this final part of the story, the youngster encounters Miss Wozenham, gets lost in the metropolis, and is educated in a unique fashion by Major Jackman. who finds a new purpose in life once his little namesake has gone away to school.

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Major Jackman's many virtues extolled, he and Mrs Lirriper welcome to the lodging house newly-marrieds Mr and Mrs Edson to stay on the second floor of 81 Norfolk Street, the Strand. What follows is a classic Charles Dickens story of abandonment, heartbreak and ultimate tragedy that leaves our two protagonists much changed by the experience.

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Emma Lirriper is a minor masterpiece of Charles Dickens characterisation.  We are introduced to the world of London lodging houses in the 1860s seen through her eyes, and learn how she entered the business; her views on guests, business rivals like Miss Wozenham ("lower down and over the way"), the girls she employs, Wandering Christians, and stories of amusement and mayhem. This culminates in the arrival of her future friend and confidant Major Jemmy Jackman.

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Drunken hymn-singing from Mason and Scott after Lillian's funeral kicks off this final revelatory episode. Scott has gatecrashed the event performing an impromptu eulogy to his mother. What follows is a succession of discoveries.  Why is Scott really back from America? Why did he never return before? Events proceed to a, perhaps, surprising conclusion.

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After a bristling initial conversation, stepbrothers Scott and Andrew catch up on their previous 40 years apart - and beyond. Childhood relationships and the interesting background around Scott's departure to the USA keep the pot boiling. Andrew learns some home truths about his father and stepmother, the recently-deceased Lillian, with blackmail and betrayal to the fore.   

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Scott is a  wanderer returning. After many decades he is back in England from the USA, having heard of his mother Lillian's death and on the eve of her funeral.

He meets Mason, a friend of Lillian.  But there is still a closer, less genial family member to encounter.

Episode 1 of 3

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