Opening Lines

Opening Lines is a new series which unpacks the themes and impact of the books, plays and stories that are being dramatised in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

It's presented by the legendary producer and script writer John Yorke, who shares his experience of storytelling and dramatisation with Radio 4 listeners. The whole series is FASCINATING I’m very proud to have produced episodes about Antic Hay by Aldous Huxley, Enduring Love by Ian McEwan, The History of Mr Polly by H.G. Wells and Death At La Fenice by Donna Leon. I’ve worked with academics, journalists, theologians, psychoanalysts and brilliant actors to tell the stories of the story.

For Christmas 2023, I produced an episode about Comet in Moominland by Tove Jannson featuring interviews with Tove Jansson's biographer Tuula Karjalainen and John Finnemore who stars as Moomintroll in the Radio 4 adaptation of the book.

And for Christmas 2024, I produced an episode about Miss Happiness and Miss Flower by Rumer Godden with contributions from the utterly wonderful Dame Jacqueline Wilson. What an honour it was to work with her, and to get to spend time in her joyful, warm company.

All episodes are available now on BBC Sounds and can be heard before the BBC Radio 4 weekend dramas at 14:45.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001tpwj