I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings [Maya Angelou's Autobiographies]

Episodes

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0120180618Dramatisation of Maya Angelou's iconic debut memoir.

This beautiful evocation of her life in the Deep South begins in 1931.

As an infant Maya and her brother, Bailey are sent to live with their grandmother in Arkansas. Annie, whom they call Momma, runs the only store in the black section of Stamps and becomes the central moral figure in Maya's childhood.

Dramatised in five parts by Patricia Cumper.

Narrator ( Older Maya) - Adjoa Andoh

Maya - Indie Gjedsal

Bailey - Roshawn Hewitt

Momma - Cecilia Noble

Uncle Willie - Richard Pepple

Steward - John Lightbody

Girl - Francesca Elise

The books that make up the life and times of Maya Angelou are some of the best, most beautiful and haunting pieces of autobiography written.

They run the gamut from life affirming to tragedy and back again with a tone that is a joyous, direct and searingly honest, and are an extraordinary portrait of 20th-century black America.

Director: Pauline Harris

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2018.

Maya and her brother Bailey are sent to live with their grandmother in Arkansas.

Dramatisations of Maya Angelou's evocative and life-affirming autobiographies.

0220180619Maya is reunited with her estranged mother, where she suffers a traumatising sexual abuse.

Maya Angelou's iconic debut autobiography powerfully evokes her life as a child in 1930s America - illuminating her incredible life, her resilience, creativity and power.

Narrator (Older Maya) ...... Adjoa Andoh
Maya ...... Indie Gjesdal
Bailey ...... Roshawn Hewitt
Momma ...... Cecilia Noble
Mother ...... Ellen Thomas
Freeman ...... Richard Pepple
Lawyer ...... John Lightbody

Dramatised by Patricia Cumper.

Director: Pauline Harris

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2018.

Maya goes to her mother in California and becomes the victim of a traumatising abuse.

Dramatisations of Maya Angelou's evocative and life-affirming autobiographies.

0320180620Maya, in a state of trauma, has stopped speaking and is back living with her Grandmother in Arkansas.

She meets her first life line in the guise of the wonderfully refined Mrs. Flowers.

Maya Angelou's iconic debut autobiography powerfully evokes her life as a child in 1930s America.

Narrator ...... Adjoa Andoh
Maya ...... Indie Gjesdal
Bailey ...... Roshawn Hewitt
Momma ...... Cecilia Noble
Mother ...... Ellen Thomas
Mrs Flowers ...... Nikki Amuka-Bird

Dramatised by Patricia Cumper.

Director: Pauline Harris.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2018.

After her traumatic experience, Maya finds hope in Mrs Flowers.

Dramatisations of Maya Angelou's evocative and life-affirming autobiographies.

0420180621Maya, now aged 15, spends time with her father, Daddy Bailey.

They go on a surprising and chaotic trip to Mexico.

Maya Angelou's iconic debut autobiography powerfully evokes her life growing up in 1930s America.

Narrrator ...... Adjoa Andoh
Dolores ...... Nikki Amuka-Bird
Daddy Bailey ...... Richard Pepple
Maya ...... Pippa Bennett Warner

Spanish voices:

Maider Jကuregui
Roc퀀o Mesonero
Celia Romo
Julio Villa-Garc퀀a
Hugo Sကnchez
Francisco Oda-@ngel

Dramatised by Patricia Cumper.

Director: Pauline Harris.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2018.

Aged 15, Maya visits her estranged father on a chaotic and surprising trip to Mexico.

Dramatisations of Maya Angelou's evocative and life-affirming autobiographies.

0520180622Aged just 15, Maya is the first Afro-American to work as conductor on the trams in San Francisco.

When she turns 16, her life changes forever.

Maya Angelou's iconic debut autobiography powerfully evokes her early life growing up in America.

Narrator (Older Maya) ...... Adjoa Andoh
Maya ...... Pippa Bennett-Warner
Mother ...... Ellen Thomas
Receptionist ...... Lauren Cornelius

Dramatised by Patricia Cumper.

Director: Pauline Harris.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2018.

Maya starts work on the San Francisco trams and her life changes forever.

Dramatisations of Maya Angelou's evocative and life-affirming autobiographies.