HER Story: Women’s Untold Histories

Synopsis

10 dramas focusing on women's untold stories from history.This diverse, eclectic collection of plays explores an array of social, political and historical events from a female point of view. In these captivating dramas, we see the world through their eyes, giving us a fresh perspective on a female history that is too often unrecorded, misrepresented or misunderstood.Featuring a multiplicity of styles and genres, and written by a wide variety of authors, they range from comedy dramas themed around the Bayeux Tapestry and the 1962 Cheltenham Literary Festival, to award-winning, thought-provoking tales of Nigerian teenagers kidnapped by Boko Haram. A contemporary version of the heroines from Greek mythology, Persephone and Demeter; Profumo affair from a female perspective, Britain's last witch (Helen Duncan); a legendary ballerina (Margot Fonteyn); a little sister (Dious, sibling of St Anthony) and a youngest daughter (Judith Shakespeare). Embroidering the TruthQueen Edith - Katy BrandBishop Odo - Charlie AnsonOther cast, Katy Sobey, Lisa Zahra, Jonny Holden, Rosie Cavaliero, Tracy Wiles. Written by Abigail Youngman. Produced by Mary Ward-Lowery. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 October 2019GirlsTisana - Amaka OkaforRuhab - Faith AlabiHaleema - Joan IyiolaWritten by Theresa Ikoko. Directed by Abigail Gonda. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 July 2017The Bulbul Was SingingLaura - Rebecca HumphriesAriman - Shaniaz Hama AliOther Cast: Paul Hickey, Jonny Holden, Saya Zahawi, Catherine Cusack, Shaun Mason, Debbie Korley, Chris PavloWritten by Judy Upton. Directed by Emma Harding. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 August 2019Seven Pomegranate SeedsPerformed by Niamh Cusack, Ruth Bradley and Leah McNamaraWritten by Colin Teevan. Produced and directed by Allegra McIlroy. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 January 2020FestivalElizabeth Jane Howard - Melody GroveJohn Moore - Tony GardnerKingsley Amis - Jonathan ForbesOther cast: Will Howard, Emma Handy, John Lightbody. Written by Sarah Wooley. Directed by Gaynor Macfarlane. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 July 2018Well, He Would, Wouldn't He?Mandy (younger) - Aimee-Ffion EdwardsChristine Keeler - Lyndsey Marshal'Pops' Murray - Stephen MarzellaStephen Ward/Peter Rachman - Ewan BaileyOther cast: Adrian Schiller, Alex Dower, Anthony Courier. Written by Charlotte Williams. Directed by Kate McAll. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February 2013Tony's Little Sister and the Paradox of MonasticismAnthony - Duncan PrestonDious - Samantha SpiroSatan - Tim McMullanOther cast Ben Crowe, Rachel Bavidge. Written by David and Caroline Stafford. Produced by Marc Beeby. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 August 2007Judith ShakespeareJudith Shakespeare - Amanda RootWilliam Shakespeare - Michael PenningtonHenry, Earl of Southampton - Anton LesserOther Cast, Andrew Wincott, Melinda Walker, Thomas Connor, Stephen Critchlow, Ann Beach, Colleen Prendergast, Jillie MeersWritten by Nan Woodhouse. Directed byTracey Neale. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 April 1996An Unchoreographed WorldMargot Fonteyn - Sophie JerroldConstant Lambert - Richard McCabeOther cast Oliver Millingham, Kate LittlewoodChorus - Anne-Marie Piazza, Maria Askew, Ffion Jolly, Ben Ashton & Coen de GrootWritten by Frances Byrne. Produced and directed by Mark Smalley. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 May 2008The Last Witch TrialLucy - Indira VarmaMargo - Lyndsey MarshalOther Cast: Joanna Monro, Vineeta Rishi Sam Dale, Michael Shelford, Keely BeresfordWritten by Melissa Murray. Directed by Marc Beeby. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 June 2010©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd