The Crack
- Author Tracy Aston, Pat Anderson, Stephen Butchard & Jeff Young
- Narrator Patricia Hayes, Michael Angelis, Cathy Tyson, Michael Christopher, Alan Igbon, Full Cast
- Publisher BBC Audio
- Publish Date 7 August 2025
- Run Time 2 hours and 56 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre ‘Street’ fiction, Crime and mystery fiction, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: Interior life, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Narrative theme: Social issues.
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What to expect
A long weekend in Liverpool, one murder and four stunning dramas
A fantastic four-part series, this story of interwoven lives is set in Liverpool over a long weekend, created in collaboration by four Liverpudlian writers. In each of the stories the characters gently touch each others lives, bring a richness and depth to the narrative, centred around the mystery of a local murder.
In Friday both Edith and Albert are on the run. Edith from the Old Folks' Home and Albert from his family and fast-approaching insanity. Having discovered Albert talking to a dead body in the cathedral gardens, Edith takes him away from the scene and under her wing.
The story continues in Saturday as Carol, who works at the barber’s, feels her body clock is ticking - like a time bomb waiting to go off. Her boyfriend's answering machine mocks her, and God deserts her. Carol's life is about to change but will it be for the better?
In Sunday we meet Joe, a former a priest and his mother, Mary. Joe has taken work in a local bookies and become the topic of local gossip. Even a murder on the community's doorstep can't shift him from the spotlight.
The story concludes in Monday with Eddie, alias ‘Edward the Confessor’. He is a petty thief and seller of chocolates and bin bags. Separated from his wife and daughter, he searches for recognition. There's been a murder in town and, if nicking chocolates hasn't made him ‘someone’, then maybe his next confession will…
This listening treat is a love song to Liverpool and a great listen for any fans of beautiful narratives and mysteries featuring the talents of local playwrights Tracy Aston, Pat Anderson, Stephen Buchard and Jeff Young.
Cast and credits
Directed by Kate Rowland
Friday
Written by Tracy Aston
Edith - Patricia Hayes
Albert - Michael Angelis
Dawn - Sunetra Sarker
Eddie - Alan Igbon
George - Tom Williamson
Nm - Pauline Fleming
Dolly - Ina Clough
Gusker - Jake Abraham
Saturday
Written by Pat Anderson
Carol - Cathy Tyson
Graham - Phil Hearne
Dawn - Sunetra Sarker
Eddie - Alan Igbon
Good Good - Tom Williamson
Tony - Jake Abraham
Angela - Paula Sims
Alan - Michael Christopher
Sunday
Written by Stephen Buchard
Mary - Val Lilley
Joseph - Michael Christopher
Edith - Patricia Hayes
Tony - Jacob Abraham
Angela - Paula Sims
Carol - Cathy Tyson
Albert - Michael Angelis
George - Tom Williamson
Dawn - Sunetra Sarker
Monday
Written by Jeff Young
Eddie - Alan Igbon
Good Good - Tom Williamson
Susan - Constance Branche
Wife - Paula Sims
Wally - Phil Hearne
DJ - Neil Anthony
Joseph - Michael Christopher
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 - 22nd Dec 1993
©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
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