radio
SELECTED PRODUCTIONS
RESTLESS DREAMS
BBC Radio 4 / 15th June 2024, 15:15
— produced by Polly Thomas
The latest audio drama from award winning writer Dan Rebellato, part of Radio 4’s series to mark the centenary of Franz Kafka’s death. Cast includes Anton Lesser, Tracy-Ann Oberman and Henry Goodman.
Restless Dreams follows Max Brod’s desperate train journey in 1939 from Prague, fleeing the Nazis. In his suitcase are manuscripts, many of them unpublished, of works by Franz Kafka. On one level, this is a wartime thriller, a tense story of one man smuggling a jewel of world literature to safety. On the other, it is a Kafkaesque nightmare, teetering between reality and hallucination, as Brod’s encounters with train staff, border guards and fellow passengers seem to pass between wakefulness and dreaming, echoing Kafka’s writing.
sound design Eloise Whitmore / production manager Darren Spruce / illustration Ed Duffill / produced and directed by Polly Thomas
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
SONG FROM FAR AWAY
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 18th May 2024,
— produced by Polly Thomas
Starring multi-award-winning singer/songwriter and actor Will Young, writen by Olivier Award-winning Simon Stephens and Mark Eitzel
A powerful and deeply personal letter to those left behind. One crisp winter day in New York, Willem receives a phone call — it’s time to go home. Home to Amsterdam — to estranged family and forgotten relationships. As he begins to grieve, he reaches out to the brother he lost.
Based on the original stage production directed by Kirk Jameson, from Thomas Hopkins, Guy Chapman and HOME. Additional Composer/Musical Supervisor on the stage production – Paul Schofield. Additional Musical Content – Julian Starr. Full stage credits >
Directed for audio by Polly Thomas / assistant producer Louis Blatherwick / production manager Darren Spruce / executive producer Eloise Whitmore / sound design Jon Nicholls
— a Thomas Carter Project for BBC Radio 4
REQUIEM
BBC RADIO 4/ BROADCAST 4 JULY 2023
— directed by Harrison Knights and Misia Butler, produced by Polly Thomas
Inspired by true events, Requiem follows young priest Paul as he navigates the prejudice and pain surrounding the setup of a care and education centre for AIDS sufferers in the 80s. The drama is set around the structure of a requiem mass, woven with traditional and contemporary choral music. By Misia Butler and Harrison Knights.
Finalist at Sandford St Martins Awards 2024 : best audio
— produced by Naked Productions for BBC Radio 4
VERGIL! A MYTHOLOGICAL MUSICAL
AUDIBLE ORIGINAL/ RELEASED AUG 2023
— produced and directed by Polly Thomas
Classical poetry like you’ve never heard it before … Bold reinvention of Vergil’s epic poem, The Aeneid by New York Times best-seller Maria Dahvana Headley, featuring a myriad of marginalised and overlooked characters, in a swashbuckling adventure. With songs.
A 10 part musical drama starring Will Young and Claudia Kariuki, with Derek Jacobi, Le Gateau Chocolat, Alice Fearn, John Partridge and Divina de Campo
Listen now: https://adbl.co/vergil
Music composed by Alexandra Braithwaite, Joseph Keckler and Elizabeth Purnell / lyrics Maria Dahvana Headley / sound design Eloise Whitmore, Jon Nicholls, Louis Blatherwick, Paul Cargill, Steve Brooke / produced and directed by Polly Thomas / musical direction Harrison Knights
Production Manager for Naked Productions Darren Spruce. Thanks to Miles Wheway and Teresa Milewski
For Audible UK : Executive Producer Mariele Runacre Temple, Co-Executive Producer and Commissioning Editor Lydia Shamah, Production Co ordinator Alex Curran
— produced by Naked Productions for Audible Originals
WILLIAM’S CASTLE
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 1 APR 2024, 1415
— directed by Polly Thomas
Written by Jay Sykes inspired by the true story of William Elliot from Sunderland, a19th century orphan who wrote a letter to the future and hid it in a church pew, to be found centuries later…Performed by Mikki Hodgson, Lyndan Trenholm, Becky Lindsay, Charlie Hardwick, Christina Berriman Dawson, Ken Smithson and Daniel James. Original music by Paige Temperley and Holly Rees. Sound design by Jay Sykes and Lucinda Mason Brown. With thanks to Lily Daniels. Produced by Jay Sykes. Exec produced by Eloise Whitmore and Chantal Herbert.
— a Sister Sounds production for BBC Radio 4
DRAGONS OF THE POOL
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 7 MAR 2024, 1415
— produced by Polly Thomas
Written by Kathryn Golding inspired by true stories of enforced repatriation of Chinese seamen from Liverpool 1945 -1946. Performed by Liz Sutherland, Lucy Speed, Jeremy Ang Jones, Jon Chew and Gabby Wong. Directed by Shan Ng, original music by Ruth Chan, with sound design by Alisdair McGregor. Illustration by YanKi Darling.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
Dragons of the Pool
THE FAREWELL GLACIER
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 4 FEB 2024, 1930
— produced and directed by Polly Thomas
Written by Nick Drake, based on his visited the Arctic and subsequent collection of poems (published by Bloodaxe). The drama includes sections of interview with Sheila Watt Cloutier, Nobel Peace Prize nominated human rights and Indigenous rights activist. Performed by Adjoa Andoh, Jude Coward Nicoll, Kevin Harvey, Paisley James, Peter Mullan, Urmila Patel and Chloe Ragrag. Original music by Emma Jean and Isbel Pendlebury. Inuit throat singing performed by Sylvia Cloutier and Akinisie Sivuarapik.Inuit pronunciation advisor was Leslie Qammaniq. Sound design by Eloise Whitmore.
— a Naked Production in collaboration with Edel Rae for BBC Radio 3
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT…? VARIETY AND ME
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 8 – 12 JAN 2024, 2245
— produced by Polly Thomas
Five essays by writer Amanda Dalton about the old time Variety acts that have fascinated her since childhood. In particular, those ‘speciality’ acts that disturb even as they entertain, designed to bamboozle the audience and mess with the mind …
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
photo credit : Claire McNamee
LOOKING AT LEEDS
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 11 – 15 DEC 2023, 2245
— produced by Polly Thomas
Five essays on key Leeds public art, from five writers who know the city inside out. Written by Jeremy Dyson, Malika Booker, Ian Duhig, Michelle Scally Clarke and Khadijah Ibrahiim. Looking at Leeds is a co-commission between BBC Radio 3 and The Space with funding from Arts Council England.
— a Thomas Carter Project for BBC Radio 3
HOW TO BUILD A DJ
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 13 NOV 2023, 1415
— executive produced by Polly Thomas
Michael Southan‘s BBC Radio 4 debut about Ben, who wants to be a DJ; Gwen, his mum who want him to be a coder, Seema his best mate who wants to be an actor; wannabe msuic promoter Tamsin, who wants him to be her ticket to success; and Dennis his grandad, who died 6 months ago but really wants Ben to be the best DJ in the world. Cast includes Callum Mardy, Priyasasha Kumari , David Crellin, Carla Henry and Nadia Emam. Directed by Nickie Miles-Wildin, sound designed by Steve Brooke.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
SLOW AIR
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 18 SEP 2023, 1415
— directed and produced by Polly Thomas
Dan Rebellato‘s new Afternoon Drama as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations marking the first audio drama broadcast. Delicate family drama with a science fiction twist about memory, history, and sound, exploring the joys and pains of listening and not listening. Sound design by Eloise Whitmore. Illustration by Ed Duffill.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
JANEY TAKES OFF
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 7 SEP 2023, 1415
— executive produced by Polly Thomas
Leanne Allen’s second BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Drama about wheelchair using Janey going on her first foreign holiday with Matthew, her non disabled boyfriend, PA Kayleigh and Daniel Kayleigh’s accident prone boyfriend. Nothing could possibly go wrong … could it?! Directed by Hannah Quigley.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
REQUIEM
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 4 JUL 2023, 1415
— produced by Polly Thomas
Harrison Knights and Misia Butler‘s debut BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Drama. Inspired by true events, Requiem follows young priest Paul as he navigates the prejudice and pain surrounding the setup of a care and education centre for AIDS sufferers in the 80s. The poem, Jesus at the Gay Bar, was written by Jay Hulme.
Performed by Jonathan Case, Olugbeminiyi Bammodu, Rosa Hesmondhalgh and Nadia Albina. Singers Emilia Bertolini, Venetia Iga, Laurence Kilsby,Oscar Hansen. MD/original music composition Oscar Osicki. Additional vocal arrangements by Harrison Knights. Sound design by Paul Cargill, illustration by Ed Duffill, production management by Darren Spruce and the Executive Producer was Eloise Whitmore. Directed by Harrison Knights and Misia Butler.
— Sandford St Martins 2024, Audio shortlist
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
HAPPY HOUR
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 24 MAY 2023, 1415
— produced by Polly Thomas
New writer Liv Fowler‘s bold debut drama. Two young women in a pub, discussing life, love, class friendship and how to get rid of the man they have killed and stashed behind the bins … A dark, funny meditation on 21st century female friendship. Directed by Jelena Budimir. Recorded at Sonica Studios, with sound design by Paul Cargill. Illustration by Danny Atkinson.
— Imison Award 2024, finalist
— a A Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
KAFKA’S DICK
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 2 APR 2023 2030
— directed and produced by Polly Thomas and Dermot Daly
Iconic modern comedy by Alan Bennett. Starring Toby Jones, Mark Heap, Jason Watkins, Fenella Woolgar, Jim Broadbent and Don Warrington. Sound design by Alisdair McGregor. Photography by Simon Bray.
— BBC Audio Awards Best Supprting Actor 2024, Mark Heap
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
7 GHOSTS
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 20 MAR 2023 1415
— directed and produced by Polly Thomas
Unique ghost story from leading radio dramatist Dan Rebellato. Performed by Kobna Holbrook Smith, Ani Nelson, David Annen, Don Gilet, Sarah Berger, Max Runham and Fanta Barrie. Original music by Jeremy Warmsley, sound design by Eloise Whitmore. Illustration by Tessie Orange-Turner.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
BESS 💓 PORGY
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 11 and 12 MAR 2023, 1500 and BBC RADIO 3 / 9 APR 2023 1930
— executive produced by Polly Thomas
A musical love story for today by award winning writer Roy Williams, inspired by the novel Porgy by Edwin Du Bose Heyward. Cast includes Gabrielle Brooks, Reece Pantry, Fehiniti Balogun, Idris Debrand, Erin Doherty, Jade Anouka, Ray Fearon, Shobna Gulati, Jumoké Fashola, Jocelyn Jee Essien and Phil Daniels. Original music by Swindle, lyrics by Eva Lazarus and TEE, photograph by Kim Lang Studio. Performed by the cast with the BBC Concert Orchestra, arranged and orchestrated by Neil Waters, and conducted by Tom Kelly. Sound design by Lucinda Mason Brown. Directed by Michael Buffong, conceived and produced by Gill Parry, and supported by the PRS Foundation.
— BBC Audio Awards Best Adaptation, 2024
— a feral inc production for BBC Radio 3 and 4
THE ULTIMATE CHOICE
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 19 FEB 2023 1915, for 6 weeks
— executive producers Polly Thomas and Ed Morrish
A six part brand new panel show, hosted by Steph McGovern plus two celebrity guests being asked to solve a series of fiendish, mischievous and downright daft dilemmas. Written by Jon Harvey and Joseph Morpurgo.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
THE CHATTERLEYS
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 29 JAN and 5 FEB 2023, 1500
— directed by Polly Thomas and Jenny Sealey
Modern adaptation of D H Lawrence‘s classic novel, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, written by award-winning writer Mike Kenny, developed by working closely with members of BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Service Men Association). A transcript of the drama for d/Deaf and hard of hearing people was on BBC Radio 4 website on broadcast. Cast includes David Proud, Ashleigh Wilder and Mark Holgate. Sound design by Eloise Whitmore with original music by Megan Steinberg, additional mastering by Alex Armstrong-Holding, photograph by Sonya McGhee. Thanks to Christine Landess and the team at BLESMA.
— a Naked Production and Graeae collaboration for BBC Radio 4
KUKUTIS IN THE DARK
RESONANCE FM / BROADCAST 25 DEC 2022
— directed and produced by Polly Thomas
Anarchic, playful audio adaptation of The Ballads of Kukutis, created by Amanda Dalton based on the iconic poetry sequence by Lithuania’s leading poet, Marcelijus Martinaitis, written in the last days of Soviet rule in Lithuania. Sound design by Steve Brooke. Performed by Paterson Joseph, Guy Rhys and Kristina Buikaite. Available on RESONANCE FM Replay. Produced by ARC Publications and supported by the Lithuanian Culture Institute.
LISTEN HARDER
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 28 NOV – 2 DEC 2022, 2245
— co-produced by Polly Thomas and Mina Anwar
New essay series about communication, acting and Deaf identity, written and read by leading actor Sophie Stone. Animated transcript by Phoenix Stone and BSL translation films by Marcel Hirshman of Weald BSL, available on BBC Sounds website.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
RISE
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 28 NOV 2022, 1415
— executive produced by Polly Thomas
Written by Lorna French and set in Bolton, the story follows 15 year old looked-after child, Aimee. As a Black child in care, she assumed that it would be impossible to find out more about her familial story, but with the help of a life story worker, she begins to learn more about who she is and where she comes from. Directed by Dermot Daly.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
PENTABUS YOUNG WRITERS
PENTABUS / BROADCAST OCT 2022 onwards
— directed by Polly Thomas
Written by 10 new young writers. Music and sound design by Jon Nicholls.
— a Naked Production for Pentabus Theatre
LOVE ACROSS THE AGES
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 13 SEP 2022, 1415
— executive produced by Polly Thomas
Shahid Iqbal Khan‘s BBC Radio 4 afternoon drama debut tackles love between two Muslim men from Iran in 815 through to modern day Bradford using classical poet Abu Nawas as our guide, our Cupid. Starring Raad Rawi, Esh Alladi, Darren Kuppan and Nadia Emam. Original music by Sarah Sayeed. Directed by Nickie Miles-Wildin, sound design by Steve Brooke.
— ARIA Award Best Original Drama finalist, 2023
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
EXEMPLAR
BBC RADIO 4 and BBC SOUNDS / BROADCAST 19, 26 AUG + 2, 9 and 16 SEP 2022, 1400
— produced by Polly Thomas
New series about an audio forensic expert with her own dark secret, played by leading actor Gina McKee. Featuring Shivrone Marks, Juliet Stevenson, Fenella Woolgar, Babara Marten, Don Gilet, Chetna Pandya, Dekka Walmsley, Charlie Hardwick and Asif Khan. Written by Ben and Max Ringham, with Dan Rebellato, music by Ben and Max Ringham, directed by Polly Thomas and Jade Lewis. Sound design by Lucinda Mason Brown and David Chilton.
— BBC Audio Awards Best Series, 2023
— a Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
JASON’S MATES
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 23 MAY 2022, 1415
— produced by Polly Thomas
Sharp new satire about local politics and corruption written and directed by leading film maker Peter Strickland, featuring Toby Jones, Richard Bremmer, Stephanie Racine, Leo Bill, Hugh Dennis, Fatma Mohammed and Leo Bill. Music by Jon Fletcher and sound design by Eloise Whitmore.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
MIDDLEMARCH MONOLOGUES
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 20 MAR 2022, 19.30
— produced by Polly Thomas
George Eliot’s iconic novel reinvented for 21st century Coventry, written by Amanda Dalton, Leanne Allen, Tanika Gupta, Liz Mytton, Debris Stevenson, Ellice Stevens and Sabiha Monk. Directed by Polly Thomas and Anastasia Osei-Kuffour, featuring Meera Syal, Henry Lloyd Hughes, Ashley Gerlach, Sinead Matthews, Sharan Phull, Julia Rounthwaite, Calvin Demba and Ellie Turner. Original music by Ellie Gowers and sound design by Eloise Whitmore.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3 and Warwick Arts Centre
NIGHT OF THE LIVING FLATPACKS
RESONANCE FM + NATIONAL COMMUNITY RADIO / BROADCAST 27 – 31 DEC 2021, 1345 – 1400
— produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore
Sparkling new drama series about love, flatpacks and living with different disabilities, written by Michael Southan, Shahid Iqbal Khan, Kathryn Golding, Anita Karla Kelly and Leanne Allen, starring Amy Conachan, Paislie Reid, Kirsty Johnson, Tachia Newall and Jonathan Keeble. Directed by Polly Thomas, Nicola Wildin, Cheryl Martin and Hannah Quigley with original music by Oliver Vibrans.
— a Naked Production with Graeae, supported by Audio Content Fund
LITTLE MISS BURDEN
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 8 NOV 2021, 1400
— produced by Polly Thomas and Debbie Hannan
A fun-filled, music-heavy coming of age drama combining 90s nostalgia, a Nigerian family and an East London childhood to tell the sometimes tricky, often funny and always engaging truth about growing up with a physical impairment. Written by Matilda Ibini.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
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JAZZ AND DICE
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 7 JUN 2021, 1415
— produced by Polly Thomas and Krishna Istha
Drama tackling love and families, with a witty, warm touch, from new writer Leanne Allen. Her protagonist is a wheelchair user (like Leanne) but the drama is not about disability, it’s about love in the 21st century. Featuring Claire Rushbrook, Carly Houston, Lucy Fallon and Garry Robson.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
SWEET DREAMS
TUTTI FRUTTI / MAY 2021 onwards
— directed by Polly Thomas
A new audio drama with songs for younger children about how to have a good night’s sleep. Written by Mike Kenny. Music by Christella Litras.
— a Naked Production for Tutti Frutti
PARIS 2021
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 26 – 30 APR 2021, 2245
— produced by Polly Thomas
A series of essays marking the 150th anniversary of the Paris Commune in Spring 1871, a cornerstone of radical culture, politics and social movements in Europe and the American States. Written by Dan Rebellato.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
KILLER
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 18 APR 2021, 1930
— directed by Polly Thomas
A new translation and adaptation by Dan Rebellato of Tueuers Sans Gages by Eugene Ionesco. Starring Toby Jones, Christine Bottomley and Liz Carr. Sound design by Eloise Whitmore.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
ANGELA
SOUND STAGE / BROADCAST 26 – 28 MAR + 1st – 2nd APR 2021, 1930
and BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 16 MAY 2021, 1930
— produced and directed by Polly Thomas
Written by Mark Ravenhill, music by Alexandra Braithwaite, sound design by John Scott. Starring Pam Ferris, Toby Jones, Joseph Millson and Matti Houghton.
“Angela Ravenhill died with dementia in 2019; and what Ravenhill achieves – over an exquisite 95 minutes of sonic theatre, directed by Polly Thomas of associate producers Naked Radio – is an extraordinary sense of a life that is somehow seen steadily and whole, even though its truth is partly conveyed through the fragmenting prism of Angela’s mind, in the final months of her illness.” Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
— Sound Stage is a new digital platform from Royal Lyceum/Pitlochry Festival Theatre in partnership, in association with Naked Productions
THE FISHERMEN
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 4 APR 2021, 1930
— produced by Polly Thomas and Ravelle-Sadé Fairman
A powerful allegory of brotherhood, vengeance and fate. Radio 3 debut of New Perspectives Theatre’s stage production of Man Booker shortlist novel by Chigozie Obioma, adapted by Gbolahan Obisesan. Starring Valentine Olukoga, David Alade and Michael Ajao. Directed by Jack McNamara.
— a New Perspectives and Naked Productions co-production for BBC Radio 3
AN INVITATION TO INDIAN COOKING
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 1 – 5 FEB 2021
— produced by Polly Thomas
Written by Madhur Jaffrey, dramatised by Anjum Malik, starring Archie Panjabi, Raj Ghatak and Balvinder Sopal. Sound design by Paul Cargill.
— a Somethin Else Production for BBC Radio 4
YOU & ME
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 4 JAN 2021, 1400
— produced by Polly Thomas
Written by Dan Rebellato, starring Rachael Ofori and Robert Lonsdale.
— ARIA Award for Best Original Audio Drama, 2022 : Silver
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
BARTHOLOMEW ABOMINATIONS
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 7 NOV 2020, 1500
— directed by Polly Thomas and Jenny Sealey
Written by Paul Sirett after Ben Jonson.
— a Graeae and Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
CONNECTIONS
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 10 NOV 2020, 1415
— directed by Polly Thomas and Jenny Sealey
Written by Anita Karla Kelly, Kathryn Golding and Leanne Allen. Series advisor Sarah Daniels , sound design by Eloise Whitmore.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4, originally funded by the Audio Content Fund and broadcast on 20 UK community radio stations
24 HOURS OF PEACE
RESONANCE FM / BROADCAST NON STOP 7 NOV – 8 NOV 2020
— created and directed by Neil Bartlett, produced by Polly Thomas
A unique 24 hour non-stop audio and live performance event of 237,000 words from 100 peace workers, performed by 48 professional and community performers, including Toby Jones, Miranda Richardson, Adjoa Andoh and Liz Carr.
— a Thomas Carter Projects production for Resonance FM
FIVE KINDS OF BEETHOVEN
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 21 – 25 SEP 2020
— produced by Polly Thomas
Written by Inua Ellams, Sophie Stone, Andrew Biswell, Nitin Sawhney and Thangam Debonnaire
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
“Beautifully written and deeply felt, this was one of the highlights of my listening week. It wasn’t lost on Sophie that she wouldn’t be able to hear her own talk broadcast on Radio 3, and its not lost on me either that she can’t hear me shout my praises and lift the rafters of my tiny house. But an animated transcript of her talk is available on the programme website, making it more accessible for a D/deaf and hard of hearing audience.” Cathy Fitzgerald, BBC RADIO 4 Pick of the Week, 27th September 2020
THE PORTAL
ACAST / BROADCAST 25 SEP 2020
— executive produced by Polly Thomas
Written by Martin Green, directed by Wils Wilson, sound design by Eloise Whitmore.
— a Lepus Production, with Naked Productions, commissioned and presented with Edinburgh International Festival, Southbank Centre, Oxford Contemporary Music, National Theatre of Scotland, Shetland Arts, The North Wall, MacArts Galashiels and funded by Creative Scotland.
RELATIVITY SERIES 3
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 17, 24, 31 JUL + 7, 14, 21 AUG 2020
— produced by Polly Thomas
Third series of inter-generational family comedy drama, written by Richard Herring, starring Richard Herring, Alison Steadman, Gordon Kennedy, Fenella Woolgar and Phil Davies.
— an Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
CONNECTIONS
RESONANCE FM, ALL FM, RADIO VERULAM, CANALSIDE AND RADIO LAB/ BROADCAST 8- 12 JUN 2020
— produced by Polly Thomas
Written by Anita Kelly, Michael Southan, Leanne Allen, Shahid Iqbal Khan and Kathryn Golding. Supported by the Audio Content Fund.
— a Naked Production for community radio UK wide
ADVENTURES WITH THE PAINTED PEOPLE
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 7 JUN 2020
— executive produced by Polly Thomas
Written by David Greig, directed by Elizabeth Newman. A Pitlochry Festival Theatre co-production for Culture in Quarantine.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
THE WILL
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 7 APR 2020
— written and produced by Polly Thomas and Anders Lundorph
Danish/UK co-production.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
SCHREBER
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 22 MAR 2020
— produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore
A modern production of Anthony Burgess‘s never-produced screenplay of the iconic 19th century Memoir of My Nervous Illness by Daniel Schreber, seminal text for Freud et al. Adaptation by Jeff Young. Cast includes Christopher Eccleston and Nadia Albina.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
THREE SISTERS REWIRED
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 14 + 21 DEC 2019
— adapted and directed by Polly Thomas and Jenny Sealey
Anton Chekhov as he has never been done before … Three Sisters with varying degrees of D/deafness, refreshing the original in a bold new version with Graeae Theatre. Cast includes Genevieve Barr, Lara Steward, Alexandra James, Tachia Newell, Kay Purcell, Alexandra Mathie and Jonathan Keeble. Produced by Eloise Whitmore.
— a Naked Productions/Graeae collaboration for BBC Radio 4
PASS + THE GRAPE THAT ROLLED UNDER THE FRIDGE + OUT OF YOUR MIND
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 13 OCT 2019
— produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore
Three new plays — a psychological drama by Naomi Sheldon that take explores sound and the supernatural, a funny modern drama about family relationships by award-winning performer and writer Kate O’Donnell, and an Afrofuturist tale about identity/family and the ever-encroaching surveillance state by award-winning writer Matilda Ibini. Casts include: Sue Jenkins, Kate O Donnell, Naomi Sheldon, Lois Chimimba, Shvrone Marks and Rebecca Humphries.
— part of BBC Radio 3’s new-audio-play showcase, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019, recorded with an audience at the Summerhall arts venue
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
JUST A WOMAN
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 23-27 SEP 2019
— produced by Polly Thomas
The ups and downs of being a young transgender woman, turning 18 and ready to explore the world. Fifth in the series by Mark Davies Markham (see Just a Girl). Amy is ready to fly the nest … a trip to Amsterdam and maybe some romance. A 15 Minute drama. Cast includes: Tigger Blaize, Rosa Hesmondhalgh, Michael Garner, Don Gilet and Bettrys Jones.
— a Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4
RAGE
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 8 + 11 MAY 2019
— produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore
The third Teodor Szacki mystery, adapted by Mark Lawson from Zygmunt Milosewszki‘s book, translated by Antonia Lloyd Jones. When fresh bones stripped of all flesh are discovered on an historic site, Szacki is forced to confront the issue of domestic violence within Poland’s traditionally machismo culture. Cast includes: Bryan Dick, Alexandra Mathie, Rachel Austin, Claire Benedict and Mina Anwar.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
LORENZACCIO
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 10 MAR 2019
— produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore
A new version by Dan Rebellato of the French classic by Alfred de Musset. Cast includes Tom Hughes, Toby Jones and Tanya Moodie. A grand, epic political drama.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
HEAR LISTENING
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 1 MAR 2019
— produced by Polly Thomas
Writer and performer Alex Bulmer compares her modern travelling experiences with that of 19th century blind traveller, James Holman. Holman’s writings are extraordinary. He risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex retraces his journey across Europe and America.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
GRAEAE’S AMY DORRIT
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 30 DEC 2018 + 5 JAN 2019
— directed by Polly Thomas and Jenny Sealey
Adapted by April de Angelis and Nicola Werenowska from Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. Graeae Theatre Company present a radical new imagining of the classic story.
— produced by Eloise Whitmore
— a Naked Productions/Graeae Theatre collaboration for BBC Radio 4
DEATH OF A MATRIARCH
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 14 OCT 2018
— produced by Polly Thomas
What’s a good way to die? What are the last moments filled with — regret, joy, best times, worst times, love? Award-winning writer Tanika Gupta explores the final moments of Sita, a true matriarch. Starring Meera Syal.
— part of BBC Radio 3’s new-audio-play showcase, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018, recorded with an audience at the Summerhall arts venue
— Tinniswood Award for Best Audio Drama, 2020
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
OF A LIFETIME
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 16 SEP 2018
— produced by Polly Thomas
Two young women travel round Europe, when a painful past tests their friendship. Can they grow together, or will they fall apart? A bold new drama by Lulu Rackza — an insightful exploration. Cast: Lois Chimimba, Dani Heron
— part of BBC Radio 3’s new-audio-play showcase, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018, recorded with an audience at the Summerhall arts venue
— Imison Award for Best New Audio Drama, 2019
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
A GRAIN OF TRUTH
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 12 + 19 AUG 2018
— produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore
Taut crime thriller by leading Polish writer Zygmunt Miloszewski, translated by Antonia Lloyd Jones and dramatised for radio by Mark Lawson. The complexities and frustrations of the modern Polish legal system are the setting for this bestselling crime novel, featuring long-suffering State Prosecutor Teodor Szacki. Cast includes Bryan Dick, Rachel Austin and David Fleeshman.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
A KALEIDOSCOPE OF MUSES
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 4-8 JUN 2018
— produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore
A personal exploration of writers’ unexpected muses — places, people and memories. Writer Jeff Young considers the unusual array of muses that inform his and other writers’ work.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 20 MAY + 27 MAY + 3 JUN 2018
— produced by Polly Thomas and Gill Parry, directed by Polly Thomas
Adapted for radio by Ayeesha Menon. Dickens’ novel is a powerful portrayal of personal sacrifice set against a turbulent backdrop of political change. This version updates it to contemporary London and war-torn Syria, with two women as the driving force. Cast includes Fatima Adoum, Shaun Parkes, Raad Rawi, Khalid Abdalla and Nadim Sawalha.
— a Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4
CLAUDIA RODEN: A BOOK OF MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST APR 2018
— produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore
An entertaining dramatisation by Anjum Malik that shines a light on an extraordinary, influential cookery writer. Cast includes Tracy Ann Oberman. A 15 Minute Drama, five episodes.
— a Somethin Else production for BBC Radio 4
GRAEAE: MIDWICH CUCKOOS
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 31 DEC 2017 + 7 JAN 2018
— directed by Polly Thomas and Jenny Sealey
A bold new version by Roy Williams of the iconic science fiction story by John Wyndham. What if we heard the story from the children’s perspective? And what if there were deaf children in the village who could communicate better with the Cuckoo children than their own families could? Tune in and find out …
— produced by Eloise Whitmore
— a Naked Productions/Graeae Theatre collaboration for BBC Radio 4
RELATIVITY
BBC RADIO 4 / SERIES 1 – 3 / BROADCAST SEP 2017 (1) + JAN 2019 (2) + SPRING 2020 (3)
— produced by Polly Thomas
A sharp, funny warm comedy by Richard Herring about four generations of a family. Cast includes Alison Steadman, Phil Davies, Fenella Woolgar and Richard Herring.
— executive production by Jon Thoday and Richard Allen Turner
— an Avalon Television production for BBC Radio 4
KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST MAY 2017
— produced by Polly Thomas
Anthony Bourdain‘s searing exposé of the restaurant trade brilliantly dramatised by Marcy Kahan. Funny, no holds barred and a good reason to never order fish on a Monday. A 15 Minute Drama, five episodes.
— executive production by Robert Abel
— a Somethin Else production for BBC Radio 4
THE HOURS
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 16 APR 2017 + 23 APR 2017
— directed by Polly Thomas and Judith Kampfner
The first radio dramatisation of Michael Cunningham‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, dramatised by Francis Byrnes. A transatlantic production recorded in New York and London. Cast includes Rosamund Pike (Clarissa), Fenella Woolgar (Virginia, Kitty), Teresa Gallagher (Laura), Lia Williams, Corey Johnson, Jack Towbin, David Annen, Rachel Atkins and Haley McGee.
— original music by Gene Pritsker, sound design by Steve Bond
— produced by Judith Kampfner for Corporation for Independent Media
“I am so thrilled by the BBC’s production of my novel The Hours and believe me, a novelist does not thrill easily!” Michael Cunningham
SOUNDS LIKE SHE
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 11 MAR 2017
— produced by Polly Thomas
A Between the Ears feature about gender identity and voice. Creative consultant Alex Bulmer, music by Errollyn Wallen.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
— shortlisted for ARIA Awards 2017
BURGESS AT 100
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 27 FEB – 3 MAR 2017
— produced by Polly Thomas
Five essays by writers on their relationship to Anthony Burgess. Contributors: A.L. Kennedy, Tash Aw, Simon Rennie, Rhoda Koenig and Kevin Jackson. For Radio 3’s The Essay.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
OEDIPUS THE KING
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 26 FEB 2017
— produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore
First UK performance of Anthony Burgess‘ ’70s bold version of Sophocles’ classic text, performed as part of Radio 3’s Burgess Centenary programming. Music by Obie-winning composer Stanley Silverman. Cast includes Christopher Eccleston, Fiona Shaw, Adjoa Andoh and Don Warrington.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 3
THE EXCEPTION
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 2-4 JAN 2017
— produced by Polly Thomas and Anders Lundorph
Office politics become deadly serious in a tense Danish thriller by Christian Jungersson set in a genocide research centre. A unique Danish/English collaboration (Reading Europe series). Co-dramatised by Polly Thomas and Anders Lundorph and recorded on location in Copenhagen.
— a Somethin’ Else production for BBC Radio 3
JUST A GIRL
BBC RADIO 4 / FOUR SERIES / BROADCAST 2014-2017
— directed by Polly Thomas (series 1), produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore (series 2)
Mark Davies Markham‘s long running series about Amy, a transgender teenager. Developed through consultation with transgender children, their families and clinicians, the drama charts the high and lows of a typical pre-teen — who happens to be transgender — and her family. Authentic and contemporary family drama. A 15 Minute Drama.
— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4 (series 2)
NEWS FROM NOWHERE
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 25 MAY 2016
— produced by Polly Thomas
A modern reversioning by Sarah Woods of Wiiliam Morris’ classic utopian vision first published in 1890. Part of the Dangerous Visions BBC Radio 4 season.
— a BBC Cymru/Wales production for BBC Radio 4
A WOLF IN THE WATER
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 22 MAY 2016
— produced by Polly Thomas
A gripping response to Shakespeare‘s Merchant of Venice, created by Naomi Alderman, writer of the global phenomenon that is Run, Zombies!. Cast includes Tracy Ann Oberman and Philippa Bennett-Warner.
— a Somethin’ Else production for BBC Radio 3
A GIRL CALLED JACK
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST APR 2016
— produced by Polly Thomas
Jack Monroe’s first book about eating well on a budget. Brilliant dramatisation by Sarah Daniels. A 15 Minute Drama, five episodes. Cast includes Jaime Winstone and June Whitfield.
— a Somethin’ Else production for BBC Radio 4
DON’T START series 3
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST JAN 2016
— produced by Polly Thomas
Frank Skinner‘s gem of a radio drama series, starring Frank Skinner and Katherine Parkinson as an ever-sparring, ever-devoted couple.
— an Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
EMILE ZOLA: BLOOD, SEX AND MONEY three-part series
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST from 2015 into 2016 + RELEASED BY PENGUIN BOOKS 31 DEC 2019
— produced and directed by Polly Thomas
Three-part BBC epic adaptation of Emile Zola’s saga of the Rougon Macquart families, dramatised by Dan Rebellato. Cast includes Glenda Jackson, Samuel West, Anna Maxwell Martin, Robert Jack, John Heffernan, Mina Anwar, Robyn Skeet, Yusra Warsama and Lucy Moss.
— a Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4
THE STONE TAPE
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST OCT 2015 + AVAILABLE ONLINE IN BINAURAL
— executive production by Polly Thomas
The Nigel Kneale ’70s horror classic, reinvented by Peter Strickland and Matthew Graham. Cast includes Romola Garai, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Julian Barratt.
— directed by Peter Strickland, produced by Russell Finch
— a Somethin’ Else production for BBC Radio 4
WHEN ELVIS MET THE BEATLES
BBC RADIO 2 / BROADCAST 31 AUG 2015
— produced by Polly Thomas and Dan Cocker
31st August 1965: the Beatles finally get to go round to Elvis’ house and meet the man who started it all for them. In a new fly-on-the-wall drama by Jeff Young, we get to find out what might have happened. Cast includes Tom Hughes and Kevin Mains.
— a Somethin’ Else production for BBC Radio 2
THE LEN CONTINUUM
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 18 JUN 2015
— produced by Polly Thomas and Russell Finch
Written and directed by filmmaker Peter Strickland. Cast includes Toby Jones, Belinda Stewart-Wilson and Ralph Ineson.
— a Somethin’ Else production for Radio 4
AMICABLE
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 25-29 MAY 2015
— directed by Polly Thomas
Is it possible to split up and still be friends? A well-observed thoughtful exploration by Mark Davies Markham, developed from interviews with real people.Performed by Christine Bottomley and Con O’Neill.
— a BBC Cymru/Wales production for BBC Radio 4
IN THE SHADOW OF KAFKA: ESSAYS
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 11-15 MAY 2015
— produced by Polly Thomas
Five essays for Radio 3’s In the Shadow of Kafka season: By Margaret Atwood (Kafka: Three Encounters), Hanif Kureishi (His Father’s Excrement), Karen Leeder (Waving or Drowning: Kafka and Meaning), April de Angelis (Kafka’s Castle) and Jeff Young (Transformer).
— a Somethin’ Else production for Radio 3
THE PROCESS
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 10 MAY 2015
— produced and directed by Polly Thomas
A new adaptation of Franz Kafka‘s The Trial, dramatised and updated by Mark Ravenhill. Part of Radio 3’s In the Shadow of Kafka season.
— a Somethin’ Else production for Radio 3
FRAGMENTS
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST FEB 2015
— produced by Polly Thomas
By Laura Lomas. Recorded on location at Runswick Bay, Yorkshire.
— a Somethin’ Else production for Radio 4
Fragments : recording at Runswick Bay, December 2014
EATING FOR ENGLAND
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST DEC 2014
— produced and directed by Polly Thomas
By Nigel Slater, dramatised by Sarah Daniels. Cast includes Julian Rhind-Tutt and Celia Imrie. A 15 Minute Drama, five episodes.
— a Somethin’ Else production for Radio 4
LIFE IN THE TOMB
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 6 JUL 2014
— produced and directed by Polly Thomas
From the book by Stratis Myrivilis, dramatised by April de Angelis, part of Radio 3’s WWI progamming.
— a Somethin’ Else production for Radio 3
Errollyn Wallen and the cast recording the music for Life in the Tomb
THE GOLDEN RECORD
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST JUN 2014
— directed by Polly Thomas
By Duncan Macmillan and Effie Woods. Cast includes Kerry Shale.
— a BBC Cymru/Wales production for BBC Radio 4
IS YOUR LOVE BETTER THAN LIFE?
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 16 FEB 2014
— produced and directed by Polly Thomas
An original drama by Frances Byrnes. Cast includes Don Gilet, David Annen and Mariah Gale.
— a Somethin’ Else production for Radio 3
NAPOLEON RISING
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 2 DEC 2012
— produced and directed by Polly Thomas
Epic drama from the novel by Anthony Burgess, adapted by Anjum Malik. Cast includes Toby Jones, Jenny Jules, James Norton and Alex Jennings.
— a Somethin’ Else production for BBC Radio 3
THE GRADUATE
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST JUL 2012
— adapted by Polly Thomas from the novel by Charles Webb. Two-part Classic Serial.
— a BBC Cymru/Wales production, directed by Kate McAll
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST NOV/DEC 2008
— co-produced and developed by Polly Thomas and Graeae Theatre Company, directed by Polly Thomas
By Victor Hugo, dramatised by Alex Bulmer and Jack Thorne. Two-part Classic Serial.
— a BBC/Graeae Theatre collaboration for BBC Radio 4
WRITING THE CENTURY
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST started 2008 – 2016
— created by Polly Thomas and Vanessa Rosenthal
Long-running Women’s Hour drama series charting the the 20th century through real letters and diaries. A 15 Minute Drama.
— a BBC Radio Drama series
VIRGINIA WOOLF – THE WAVES
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST SEP 2007
— produced by Polly Thomas
Dramatised and directed by Terence Davies. Two-part Classic Serial.
— a BBC Radio Drama
THE UNEXPECTED EUROPEAN
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 2007
— devised and produced by Polly Thomas
A collaboration between six European radio companies to make one play, broadcast in all six countries and on the EU Parliament Intranet in Strasbourg.
— a BBC Radio Drama, supported by the European Broadcasting Union
THE ROYAL COURT: 50 YEARS ON
BBC RADIO 3 / BROADCAST 2 APR 2006
— produced by Polly Thomas and Steve Canny
Five new plays commissioned by Radio 3 and the Royal Court Theatre to mark the theatre’s 50th anniversary. Broadcast live from the stage. Playwrights: Wole Soyinka, Joe Penhall, Laura Wade, Arnold Wesker and Timberlake Wertenbaker.
— a BBC Radio 3 and Royal Court Theatre co-production