Two bold, authentic dramas exploring D.H. Lawrence's extraordinarily modern view of sexuality
Daring, transgressive and controversial, D.H. Lawrence scandalized the literary world with his frank descriptions of sex and desire. He was censored by his own publisher for being too explicit, and several of his most famous works were banned under the Obscene Publications Act. But for Lawrence, a self-described 'priest of love', passion was the stuff of life - and these two dynamic reimaginings celebrate him at his most fearless, pushing the boundaries of sexuality at the dawn of the 20th Century.
The Rainbow is seen through the eyes of Ursula Brangwen, and spans three generations of her family from 1840 to 1905. Unsatisfied with the limited choices open to women, Ursula delves into the histories of her mother, Anna, and grandmother Lydia, in an attempt to find a path to follow as she grapples with the forces of passion and desire. From her first crush to an illicit same-sex love affair, we follow Ursula on her journey of sexual awakening and self-discovery.
In Women in Love, Ursula's younger sister, Gudrun, comes into equal focus, as she and Ursula search for happiness and fulfilment in the Midlands mining town of Beldover. Gudrun, an artist, embarks on an affair with coalmine owner Gerald Crich; while schoolteacher Ursula falls in love with his friend, school inspector Rupert Birkin. But while Ursula and Rupert grow closer, Gudrun and Gerald's relationship is threatened by Gerald's inability to express his emotions - and his tangled feelings for Rupert...
Cassie Bradley stars as Ursula and Katie Redford as Gudrun in these stunning linked dramas about the complexity of human love.
Cast and credits
Written by D.H. Lawrence
The Rainbow
Ursula - Cassie Bradley
Tom - Karl Collins
Lydia - Aneta Piotrowska
Young Ursula - Florence Hunt
Anna - Rosalie Craig
Young Anna - Lauren Tanner
Will - Lee Ingleby
Anton - Nico Mirallegro
Winifred - Tala Gouveia
Harby - Graeme Hawley
Dramatised by Linda Marshall Griffiths
Directed by Nadia Molinari
A BBC Audio Drama North Production
With thanks to the Estate of Frieda Lawrence Ravagli
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20-27 June 2021
Women in Love
Ursula - Cassie Bradley
Gudrun - Katie Redford
Rupert - Alexander Arnold
Gerald - James Cooney
Hermione - Emily Pithon
Diana/Pussum - Verity Henry
Julius - Rupert Hill
Hermione - Emily Pithon
Loerke - Ashley Margolis
Dramatised by Ian Kershaw
Directed by Gary Brown
A BBC Audio Drama North Production
With thanks to the Estate of Frieda Lawrence Ravagli
First broadcast BBC Radio 4,4-11 July 2021
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.