#Blessed and other stories of love and friendship

Thirteen plays about human connection, from some of BBC Radio's best writers exploring love, family, romances and life's ups and downs This diverse collection of stories centres around family dynamics, relationships both romantic and platonic, and the diverse ways ordinary people navigate the vicissitudes of everyday life. Ranging from modern fairy tales to coming-of-age dramas, they feature a wide variety of styles, and are scripted by an array of writers from award-winning dramatists to first-time authors. Here are stories of meeting and parting; hope and heartbreak; grief and forgiveness; and the endless possibility of change. We meet the couple racing to secure their IVF treatment; the wide-eyed young Conservative whose awakening is more than just political; the teenager who discovers a secret that threatens his entire extended family; the ex-offender transformed through his friendship with a photographer, and many more captivating characters. These engrossing dramas let us venture into their worlds; giving us an intimate insight into their lives and loves. Among the casts are Jaime Winstone, Sean Gallagher, Rhea Bailey, Mina Anwar, Ciarán Griffiths and Harry McEntire. Cast and credits All plays are Sparklab productions for BBC Radio 4 and Radio 3. Produced by Melanie Harris and Executive Produced by Polly Thomas, Jeremy Mortimer & Jo Meek. #blessed Cast: Olivia Poulet, Laurence Dobiesz, Ayesha Dharker, Valmike Rampersad, Fenella Woolgar Written by Olivia Poulet and Laurence Dobiesz. Directed by Susannah Tresilian. Indigo Children Cast: Lizzy Clark, Jaime Winstone, Luke Jerdy, Sylvestra Le Touzel Written by Hannah Silva. Directed by Jude Kelly My Life Is a Series of People Saying Goodbye Cast: Sean Gallagher, David Annen, Will Payne, Fenella Woolgar, Frances Grey, Jenny Jules Written by Dan Rebellato. Produced and Directed by Polly Thomas Not for Turning Cast Nicola Holt, Henry Devas, Andrew Bentley, Ashley Gerlach, Toby Hadoke Written by Tim Dawson. Directed by Lawrence Till The Ladies Room Cast: Rhea Bailey, Lisa Livingstone, Lois Chimimba Written by Gemma Bedeau. Directed by Melanie Harris Whose Baby? Cast: Gurjeet Singh, Mina Anwar, Perveen Hussain, George Bukhari, Sid Akbar Ali Written by Ishy Din. Directed by Julia Ford. 1963 Cast: Andy Clark, Curtis Appleby, Ross Waiton, Jill Dellow, Micheal Ajao Written by Peter Flannery. Directed by Melanie Harris Carifesta 2019: Mr Singh Cast: Keegan Maharaj, Rhesa Samuel, Idrees Saleem, Tafar Lewis, Khadijah Kirton, Israel Nunes Children from the Quays Foundation, Maloney, Trinidad & Tobago. Written by Derron Sandy. Directed by Melanie Harris Carifesta 2019: Aron Cast: Levee Rodriguez, Errol Fabien, Anand Lawkaran, Jayron Remy, Tishanna Williams, Nickolai Salcedo. Written by Kyle Hernandez. Directed by Melanie Harris Carifesta 2019: Water More Than Flour Cast: Mandisa Granderson, Conrad Parris, Kimmy Stoute-Robinson, Arnold Goindham Written by Elisha Efua Bartels. Directed by Melanie Harris Karin and Andrew Cast: Eve Shotton, Ciarán Griffiths, Darren Kuppan, Melissa Jane Sinden Scripted and directed by Melanie Harris. In His Kiss Cast: Niamh McGowan, Harry McEntire, Kimberly Hart-Simpson Written by Lucy Montague Moffatt. Directed by Julia Ford The Reality Tunnel Cast: Sarah Miele, Sam Newton Written by Karen Law. Directed by Melanie Harris © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd