HER Story: Women’s Untold Histories

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 Truth Queen Edith - Katy Brand Bishop Odo - Charlie Anson Other 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 2019 Girls Tisana - Amaka Okafor Ruhab - Faith Alabi Haleema - Joan Iyiola Written by Theresa Ikoko. Directed by Abigail Gonda. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 July 2017 The Bulbul Was Singing Laura - Rebecca Humphries Ariman - Shaniaz Hama Ali Other Cast: Paul Hickey, Jonny Holden, Saya Zahawi, Catherine Cusack, Shaun Mason, Debbie Korley, Chris Pavlo Written by Judy Upton. Directed by Emma Harding. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 August 2019 Seven Pomegranate Seeds Performed by Niamh Cusack, Ruth Bradley and Leah McNamara Written by Colin Teevan. Produced and directed by Allegra McIlroy. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 January 2020 Festival Elizabeth Jane Howard - Melody Grove John Moore - Tony Gardner Kingsley Amis - Jonathan Forbes Other cast: Will Howard, Emma Handy, John Lightbody. Written by Sarah Wooley. Directed by Gaynor Macfarlane. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 July 2018 Well, He Would, Wouldn't He? Mandy (younger) - Aimee-Ffion Edwards Christine Keeler - Lyndsey Marshal 'Pops' Murray - Stephen Marzella Stephen Ward/Peter Rachman - Ewan Bailey Other cast: Adrian Schiller, Alex Dower, Anthony Courier. Written by Charlotte Williams. Directed by Kate McAll. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February 2013 Tony's Little Sister and the Paradox of Monasticism Anthony - Duncan Preston Dious - Samantha Spiro Satan - Tim McMullan Other cast Ben Crowe, Rachel Bavidge. Written by David and Caroline Stafford. Produced by Marc Beeby. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 August 2007 Judith Shakespeare Judith Shakespeare - Amanda Root William Shakespeare - Michael Pennington Henry, Earl of Southampton - Anton Lesser Other Cast, Andrew Wincott, Melinda Walker, Thomas Connor, Stephen Critchlow, Ann Beach, Colleen Prendergast, Jillie Meers Written by Nan Woodhouse. Directed byTracey Neale. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 April 1996 An Unchoreographed World Margot Fonteyn - Sophie Jerrold Constant Lambert - Richard McCabe Other cast Oliver Millingham, Kate Littlewood Chorus - Anne-Marie Piazza, Maria Askew, Ffion Jolly, Ben Ashton & Coen de Groot Written by Frances Byrne. Produced and directed by Mark Smalley. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 May 2008 The Last Witch Trial Lucy - Indira Varma Margo - Lyndsey Marshal Other Cast: Joanna Monro, Vineeta Rishi Sam Dale, Michael Shelford, Keely Beresford Written 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