De Miguel de Cervantes
Adaptación, Ernesto Caballero
Traducción, David Johnston y Nicolas Jackson
Primera emisión 03/05/26  y 10/03/26 en BBC Radio 4
“En un lugar de la Mancha, de cuyo nombre no quiero acordarme…”
So begins the odyssey of the knight-errant, Don Quixote de la Mancha, resolved to restore honour and chivalry to a world that has lost its values. He recruits to his cause a loyal squire, Sancho Panza, and saddles up his mighty steed, Rocinante – all in the name of the fair maiden Dulcinea, the object of his courtly love. Except that Sancho is a gluttonous farm labourer, Rocinante a bony old nag and Dulcinea a local peasant woman. But this is of little concern to this Knight of the Sad Countenance, who sees the world as he wishes to see it, in a quest that has him take on brigands, muleteers, rival knights, and famously, windmills.
An epic tale of great adventure and great humanity set in the wide, open plains and the mountains of Spain. With original music recorded in Castile on medieval and 16th century instruments.
Don Quixote de la Mancha ….. Jason Watkins
Sancho Panza ….. Mackenzie Crook
Cide Hamete Benegeli ….. Khalid Laith
Priest & Duke ….. John Sackville
Barber & Montesinos ….. Will Howard
Niece & La Dolorida ….. Sofia Oxenham
Maritornes & Duchess ….. Lucy Speed
Muleteer  & Samsom Carrasco ….. Jason Forbes
Steward ….. Tyler Pringle
Chaperon ….. Liis Mikk
Other voices performed by the cast
Music performed by Paco Díez and recorded at the Aula-Museo Paco Díez, Mucientes, Spain
Script supervisor ….. Liis Mikk
Executive producer ….. Sara Davies
Production manager ….. Eleanor Mein
Track laying …… Andreina Gómez Casanova
Sound design, music recording and mix ….. Jon Nicholls
Directed and produced by Nicolas Jackson
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4

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Written by Martín Llade
Read by Blake Ritson
First broadcast: 16-20 February 2026 on BBC Radio 3
“Uchronia” – noun – neologism. An alternative history or genre of speculative fiction that reimagines historical events or characters in a new light.
Startling, counterfactual stories about composers Ravel, Mendelssohn, Lully, Debussy and Salieri from the imagination of Spanish writer and classical music radio presenter Martín Llade.
Uchronias straddles the gap between fact and fiction, creating hypothetical, “what if” scenarios around much-loved composers, their music and their lives.
1/5: The Mewing of Cats
2/5: A Souvenir from Staffa
3/5: The Royal Privilege
4/5: Sounds and Scents Swirl through the Evening Air
5/5: Forgetting Salieri
With thanks to Juan Lucas and David Johnston.
Stories originally created for Spanish classical music magazine Scherzo and published as “El horizonte quimérico” by Scherzo Editorial S.L.
Executive producer, Sara Davies
Sound mix, Adam Woodhams
Translated, produced and presented by Nicolas Jackson
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 3

 
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By Martin Jameson
First broadcast – 25/12/25  14:15h UK time
BBC Radio 4
A magical Christmas tale of unwanted talking gifts and lonely humans in search of connection.
Who doesn’t keep a shelf somewhere stacked with discarded Christmas presents? Books you never asked for; boardgames you’ll never play; ornamental tat you´ll never display; and the inevitable scented candle. Their only purpose: to be rewrapped and regifted in order to satisfy the honour code of meaningless gift exchange.
Una has just turned forty and faces another Christmas alone. Another token gift from colleagues at work reminds her of just how lonely she is.
Cardy is a Cardamon, Cider and Toasted Pumpkin scented candle whose dream of taking pride of place by a luxurious foam bath comes crashing down when she finds herself thrown into the cupboard under Una’s stairs with the other rejects – an embittered rival candle, a cheeseboard, a Karl Marx novelty lighter, a bottle of limoncello, an outdated CD and a pack of tealights.
As Cardy changes hands, all is not lost – though with each regifting, the candle’s hopes, just like the notes of her complex scent, are fading fast. And with them, Una’s hopes of ever finding friendship and connection.
Part social satire, part festive fable, Regifted is a bittersweet, comic tale of loneliness, community and hope in the season of giving.
The Spirit of Christmas ….. Cyril Nri
Two-Piece and Cheeseboard ….. Kate Harbour
Una and Cardamon ….. Jessica Dennis
Limoncello and Amy ….. Clare Corbett
Leather and Mr Two-Piece ….. Ben Crowe
Honest John and Now ….. Will Howard
Rob ….. Jesse Fox
Other voices are played by the cast
Executive producer ….. Sara Davies
Sound design ….. Adam Woodhams
Directed and produced by Nicolas Jackson,
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4.

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By Marietta Kirkbride
BBC Radio 4
Broadcast dates: 19/12/25, 26/12/25, 02/01/26, 09/01/26, 16/01/26
Broadcast time: 14:15h UK time
The supernatural horror returns.
It’s been 12 years since social worker Cassie discovered a mysterious mould in her home, invisible to almost everyone except her. Now the fungus has spread – its glowing spores a major global health threat, infecting the brains of those who inhale them. But many refuse to take seriously a menace they cannot see.
When spores erupt at a care home in Wales, Cassie’s son Bryn and 30 residents are exposed to infection. But how could this have happened when just days earlier the building was declared mould-free by a mycelium-sighted Inspector?
For Bryn there is only one explanation: not everyone who claims to see the mould can be trusted. But who is this rogue Inspector and why would they lie? In his search for answers, Bryn’s fraught relationship with Cassie will be tested to the limit as they battle to stop the fungus before the looming pandemic can take hold.
In Greek mythology, Cassandra was condemned to speak the truth yet never be believed. A story of trust and what happens when we lose it. And of a hidden threat destroying the very thing that makes us powerful.
Cast
Cassie ….. Kate O’Flynn
Bryn ….. Ben Skym
Pascal ….. Emmanuel Berthelot
Ola ..… Aggy K. Adams
Helen ….. Laurel Lefkow
Kirsten ….. Cristina Wolfe
Ethan ….. Philip Desmeules
Layla Wolf ….. Laila Alj
Gwenni ….. Kezrena James
Gareth ….. George Williams
Demonstrators ….. Théo Marceau and Félix Marceau
Aditi Saklani ….. Amrita Acharia
Conference attendees ….. Liis Mikk
Other voices are played by the cast
Production Manager: Eleanor Mein
Production Assistant: Liis Mikk with Teresa Milewski
Executive Producer: Sara Davies
Title music: Ioana Selaru and Melo-Zed
Track laying: Andreina Gómez
Sound design: Jon Nicholls and Adam Woodhams
Directed and produced by Nicolas Jackson
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4

 
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By Sian Carter
First broadcast – BBC Radio 4 – 04/09/25 – 14:15h UK time
‘Inflationship’. Noun. Neologism. To cohabit with a partner, or ex-partner, out of necessity in order to split housing costs and bills.
Aniyah and Kofi are done. After ten years their relationship has tanked. The only issue – they’re sharing a studio flat, can’t afford to move and find themselves in an ‘inflationship’. But now the landlady is selling and the writing is on the shared wall for their living situation. Is it curtains for cohabitation, or could new voyeuristic game show ‘Home Sweet Home’ provide a lifeline?
A darkly comic take on the cost-of-living (and loving) crisis for Gen Z and Millennials.
Kofi ….. Tosin Cole
Aniyah ….. Simona Brown
Marcus ….. Ben Hardy
Loretta ….. Ramanique Ahluwalia
Game Show Host ….. Jonathan Forbes
Other voices are played by Amrita Acharia, Nicolas Jackson and the cast.
Image created by Maya Acharya
Sound design ….. Adam Woodhams
Executive producer …… Nicolas Jackson
Director/Producer ….. Amrita Acharia
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4

 
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First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 – 14-18 July 2025
“Uchronia” – noun – neologism. An alternative history or genre of speculative fiction that reimagines historical events or characters in a new light.
Five startling, counterfactual stories featuring Chopin, Sibelius, Stravinsky, Beethoven and Satie. These stories were originally created for classical music magazine Scherzo from the imagination of Spanish writer and radio presenter Martín Llade, with hints of Borges and Marcel Schwob.
Uchronias straddles the gap between fact and fiction, creating hypothetical, “what if” scenarios around 19th and 20th century composers and their lives.
Stories by Martín Llade
Read by Blake Ritson
With thanks to Juan Lucas and David Johnston.
Episode 1 – The sensible thing was to kill him
Episode 2 – The Sibelius Report
Episode 3 – Stravinsky Goes Pop
Episode 4 – Must it be so?
Episode 5 – Satie’s Aleph
Stories originally published as “El horizonte quimérico” by Scherzo Editorial S.L.
Executive producer, Sara Davies
Sound mix, Adam Woodhams
Translated, produced and presented by Nicolas Jackson
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 3

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Monstrous Regiment
First broadcast – BBC Radio 4 – 03/06/25
Playwright April de Angelis tells the dramatic story of pioneering women’s theatre company Monstrous Regiment 50 years on from its creation.
In the 1970’s, the newly founded Women’s Liberation Movement rocked the world. But British theatre was still a largely male preserve. Actresses found themselves in left-leaning fringe productions auditioning for minor roles as sidekicks to male protagonists. Sick and tired of being marginalised, a group of actresses led by Gillian Hanna, Chris Bowler and Mary McCusker decided to form their own company to focus on the lives of women and promote roles for women in all areas of theatre, on and off stage. Monstrous Regiment was born, named ironically after John Knox’s vituperative description of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.
Across two decades of extraordinary social and political upheaval, this group of women changed theatre history, fuelled by ambition, passion and ideology.
Presented by April De Angelis
Sound mix by Steve Bond
Production Coordinator – Anna de Wolff Evans
Executive Producer – Sara Davies
Produced, recorded and edited by Nicolas Jackson
With special thanks to Monstrous Regiment, Mary McCusker, Russell Keat, Helen Glavin, Lily Susan Todd, Roger Allam, Bryony Lavery, Susan Croft, Gerda Stevenson, R. Clay Slade, Adrian Berry, Jackson’s Lane and Unfinished Histories.
Songs courtesy of Monstrous Regiment and Helen Glavin.

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By Peter Benchley
Adapted for radio by Anita Sullivan
First broadcast BBC Radio 4 – 08/12/24
A coming-of age ecological fable from the author of “Jaws”. A Mexican girl fights family and tradition to protect the marine habitat she loves.
Teenage Paloma lost her father, Juanjo, in a sea-storm. Her mother, Miranda, is afraid she’ll lose the girl to the sea too. But Juanjo taught Paloma to freedive and showed her a secret seamount none of the fishermen know about – a pillar of volcanic rock rising from the deep ocean, a teeming tower-block of habitats.
Paloma’s brother, José, wants to make quick money, leave for the city and become a mechanic. The seamount could be his ticket to a new life, and he’ll stop at nothing to get his way.
Anita Sullivan has written 30+ radio dramas and is a winner of the prestigious Tinniswood Award. Her other award-winning adaptations include An Angel at My Table and Shadowbahn.
Paloma ….. Jamila Hache
Miranda ….. Raquel Cassidy
José ….. Óscar Camacho
Juanjo ….. Armando Rey
Azul ….. Carlos Alfredo Jr.
Manolo ….. Braulio Hernández
Other characters are played by Sergia Sánchez and Alejandra Gollas
Sound design by Adam Woodhams
Directed and produced by Nicolas Jackson
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4

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By Hattie Naylor
First broadcast – BBC Radio 4
Saturday 12 October 2024 – 15:00h UK time
 
 
 
Ghosts of the past awaken as a community is torn apart by the housing crisis in Cornwall.
No longer able to buy or rent in their own town, residents form an action group to put outsiders off coming to the area. Small acts of protest land them in trouble when the fight between locals and the hated English – the Emmet – escalates.
When Sadie’s ailing grandmother decides to leave her 16th century house to an uncle who plans to rent it out to tourists, the young woman looks to the group for help. But as they threaten more radical action, Sadie is forced to choose between her family and her cause. That’s until the uncle begins renovating, and a dark and ancient wrong in the family’s past demands to be resolved. The house will not have it any other way.
Cornwall has always maintained a distinct cultural identity from the rest of England. Across the centuries, there were many revolts against English rule, including the Western Rising of 1549. In 2014, the UK Government recognised the Cornish as a national minority with a unique identity.
Hattie Naylor is an award-winning writer for radio and stage. Her previous drama with Afonica, “Dead Weather”, won Best Drama, Best Actress and Best Supporting Performance at the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2022.
Cast
Sadie and Morwenna ….. Sofia Oxenham
Rowena and Lina ….. Susan Penhaligon
Tamara ….. Sirine Saba
Richard and Peter ….. Tristan Sturrock
Gerren & Cory ….. Will Howard
Gavin ….. Richard Corgan
Bennath ….. Tamsyn Kelly
Other voices are played by the cast
Executive producer, Sara Davies
Production Manager, Anna de Wolff Evans
Sound design by Adam Woodhams
Directed & produced by Nicolas Jackson
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4

 
 
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Tribe of Two
by Malaika Kegode
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 – 11/09/24 –  14:15h (UK time)
 
 
Growing up in Devon’s sleepiest market-town, Mari has never felt she belongs. There’s the day-to-day trials that come with being a mixed-race kid in noughties rural England. And then there’s Baba, her larger-than-life Zimbabwean father – a local celebrity on the world-music festival circuit. Baba is desperate for Mari to learn his songs and follow in his footsteps, and Mari plays along. Literally. But she feels little connection to a country and a culture that Baba has always been strangely reluctant to talk about.
All that changes one blissful, teenage summer, when a daring distant cousin comes to visit from Zim. A fuse is lit in Mari that will blow the familiar certainties of her old life apart. When she swaps her dad’s world of festivals for uni in Plymouth, the town’s straight-talking, rough-edged gay scene offers a fresh sense of identity.
But will Mari’s new-found strength be enough to confront the dark family secret her cousin will reveal?
A story of multifaceted identities and what it means to truly make your own kind of music.
Mari ….. Mae Munuo
Makenda ….. Mogali Masuku
Baba ….. Cyril Nri
Mum/Chrissie ….. Mary Woodvine
Ben ….. Nay Oliver Murphy
Salt Peter/Hippy ….. Stephen Kennedy
The Jess’s/Form teacher ….. Jade Matthew
Lad ….. Flynn Hallman
Other voices played by the cast
Composer ….. Harry Wrigley
Mbira player and composer ….. Otto Gumaelius
Sound design …… Adam Woodhams
Mix …… Steve Bond
Executive producer …… Nicolas Jackson
Director/Producer …… Jesse Fox
An Afonica Production for BBC Radio 4

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A Wondery production
By Carmiel Banasky
Launched 04/03/24
12-part ecothriller.
In the climate-ravaged year of 2072, Pura stands as a miraculous green haven, a geoengineered paradise that protects lucky residents from the global catastrophes of heat domes, fires, floods, and droughts. Demetria Lopez is Pura’s PR fixer, tirelessly promoting the city’s idyllic image. But when she stumbles upon a dark secret that underpins Pura’s existence, she must decide who and what she is willing to protect.
The Last City stars Jeannie Tirado, Rhea Seehorn (Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul), Maury Sterling (Homeland) and Skye Lourie.
Listen to The Last City on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial here.
Directed by Nicolas Jackson
Sound Design & Mix  – Steve Bond
Composer – Ioana Selaru

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By Hermann Hesse
Adapted for audio by Hattie Naylor
from the translation by Hilder Rosner
Broadcast date 18/02/24 on BBC Radio 4
Ancient India.
Siddhartha, the son of a high caste Brahmin, is handsome, brilliant and well-loved. But unhappy. Setting out on a quest for spiritual wholeness and enlightenment with his loyal friend Govinda, he encounters the ascetic Samanas, a wise ferryman, a beautiful courtesan, a wealthy merchant, and the Buddha himself. Armed with the ability to think, to wait and to fast, he tastes riches, lust and power, but still he is not satisfied. The connection to all things, a oneness in everything, alludes him. Until finally, he comes to a river.
Adapted from Hermann Hesse’s classic novel.
Siddhartha….. Jaz Singh Deol
Kamala ….. Amrita Acharia
Govinda …..Sid Sagar
Vasudeva ….. Rehan Sheikh
Father..… Kriss Dosanjh
Mother .…. Sudha Bhuchar
Boy ….. Adrian Paul Jeyasingham
Girl ….. Sophie Khan Levy
Other voices played by the cast
Production Manager ….. Anna de Wolff Evans
Executive producer ….. Sara Davies
Sound design ….. Adam Woodhams
Mix ….. Steve Bond
Director & producer ….. Nicolas Jackson
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4

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By Marietta Kirkbride
First broadcast 20-24 November 2023
BBC Radio 4 & BBC Sounds
A psychological horror story set in rural Wales amid the mysterious world of mycelium.
When social worker Cassie discovers mould in the flat of a vulnerable service user she puts it down to poor quality housing. But then she discovers it in her own house and begins to fear for the safety of her family.
For partner Morgan and young son Bryn, it’s not the mould that troubles them but Cassie’s mental health. As the fungus continues to grow and spread, Cassie resorts to more extreme measures to combat it. But why will no one listen to her when she warns of danger?
In Greek mythology, Cassandra was condemned to speak the truth yet never be believed. A story of trust and what happens when we lose it. And of a hidden threat attacking the very thing that makes us powerful.
Cassie …… Kate O’Flynn
Ola …… Aggy K Adams
Interviewer ….. Laurel Lefkow
Hywel ….. Lloyd Meredith
Morgan…… Owain Gwynn
Bryn …… Macsen Ovens
Joyce ….. Kezrena James
Huw …… Richard Corgan
Young Helen …… Lily Anne Lefkow
Other voices played by the cast
Executive Producer ….. Sara Davies
Title music ….. Ioana Selaru & Melo-Zed
Sound design ….. Jon Nicholls
Directed & produced by Nicolas Jackson
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4 & BBC Sounds
 

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