Breaking The Rules [Drama]

Ghosts of the past awaken as a community is torn apart by the housing crisis in Cornwall.

No longer able to buy or rent in their own town, residents form an action group to put outsiders off coming to the area. Small acts of protest land them in trouble when the fight between locals and the hated English - the Emmet - escalates.

When Sadie's ailing grandmother decides to leave her 16th century house to an uncle who plans to rent it out to tourists, the young woman looks to the group for help. But as they threaten more radical action, Sadie is forced to choose between her family and her cause. That's until the uncle begins renovating, and a dark and ancient wrong in the family's past demands to be resolved. The house will not have it any other way.

Cornwall has always maintained a distinct cultural identity from the rest of England. Across the centuries, there were many revolts against English rule, including the Western Rising of 1549. In 2014, the UK Government recognised the Cornish as a national minority with a unique identity.

Hattie Naylor is an award-winning writer for radio and stage. Her previous drama with Afonica, Dead Weather, won Best Drama, Best Actress and Best Supporting Performance at the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2022.

Cast

Sadie and Morwenna - Sofia Oxenham

Rowena and Lina - Susan Penhaligon

Tamara - Sirine Saba

Richard and Peter - Tristan Sturrock

Gerren and Cory - Will Howard

Gavin - Richard Corgan

Bennath - Tamsyn Kelly

Other voices are played by the cast

Written by Hattie Naylor

Executive Producer: Sara Davies

Production Manager: Anna de Wolff Evans

Sound design by Adam Woodhams

Directed and produced by Nicolas Jackson

An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4

Ghosts of the past awaken as a family is torn apart by the housing crisis in Cornwall.

Ghosts of the past awaken as the housing crisis in Cornwall revives age-old conflict between locals and the hated English from across the Tamar.

[LISTEN NOW]