The English are Coming
By 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
