John Wyndham - The Chrysalids

Episodes

EpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
01Genetic Mutation2012072920141009 (BBC7)
20141010 (BBC7)
20160228 (BBC7)
20160229 (BBC7)
20241130 (BBC7)
20241201 (BBC7)
20120804
20141009
20141010
20160228
20160229
20120804 (R4)
Genetic mutation has devastated the world. In the emergent bleak, primitive society, any deviation is seen as the work of the devil, ruthlessly hunted out and destroyed. In law abiding, God-respecting Waknuk anyone who does not conform to the 'norm' must keep their deviation secret or face the consequences of discovery.

Young people with telepathic powers are persecuted for their difference.

Young David - Ben Hanley

Young Sophie - Isobel Doran

Joseph - Conrad Nelson

Axel - Jeff Hordley

Emily - Fiona Clarke

Anne - Fiona Clarke

Harriet - Emma Cunniffe

Alan - Henry Devas

Inspector - Robert Pickavance

Young people with telepathic powers face persecution. Post-apocalyptic sci-fi classic starring Matthew Beard.

Directed by NADIA MOLINARI

Written in 1955 Wyndham's novel explores the dangers inherent in discrimination and the threats posed by religious fundamentalism. The 'Old People' who caused the apocalypse are depressingly like us: ' They were shut off by different languages and different beliefs. They created vast problems then buried their heads in the sands of idle faith.' The children of the future (the Chrysalids) are able to 'think-together' and so can rise above the selfish violence and conflicting religions of the past. Wyndham's story of a group of persecuted teenagers is more timely than ever in our post-Fukushima, war-riven, genetically engineered and religiously divided world. Jane Rogers is a playwright and novelist, her latest novel The Testament of Jessie Lamb won the ARTHUR C CLARKE Award this year.

Genetic mutation has devastated the world. In the emergent bleak, primitive society, any deviation is seen as the work of the devil, ruthlessly hunted out and destroyed. David Strorm is one of a group of young people who discover they are able to communicate by transferring thought-shapes into each other's minds. In law abiding, God-respecting Waknuk this makes David and his friends 'mutants'. The young telepaths manage to keep their deviation secret until one of them marries a 'norm'. Will they be forced to flee to the Fringes, a lawless territory inhabited by mutants, or face the consequences of discovery?

JOSEPH/GORDON.....Conrad Nelson

EMILY/ANNE.....Fiona Clarke

HARRIET/RACHEL.....Emma Cunniffe

MICHAEL/ALAN.....Henry Devas

INSPECTOR.....Rob Pickavance

[LISTEN NOW]

02 LASTMutants2012080520141010 (BBC7)
20141011 (BBC7)
20160306 (BBC7)
20160307 (BBC7)
20241207 (BBC7)
20241208 (BBC7)
20120811
20141010
20141011
20160306
20160307
20120811 (R4)
Genetic mutation has devastated the world. Any deviation is seen as the work of the devil, ruthlessly hunted out and destroyed. David Strorm is one of a group of young people who can communicate by transferring thought-shapes. In God fearing, law abiding Waknuk, David and his friends would be classed as Mutants. Will David be forced to flee to the Fringes, the lawless territory inhabited by mutants or risk discovery?

Will David be forced to flee to the lawless Fringes, or risk discovery?

Fringe dweller - Henry Devas

Sophie - Carla Henry

Sally - Carla Henry

Zealander - Emma Cunniffe

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2012.

Will David be forced to flee to the Fringes, the lawless territory inhabited by mutants or risk discovery? Stars Matthew Beard.

David, Rosalind and Petra have to flee into the lawless territory inhabited by mutants.

MICHAEL/FRINGE DWELLER....Henry Devas

SOPHIE/SALLY....Carla Henry

RACHEL/ZEALANDER....Emma Cunniffe

GORDON....Conrad Nelson

[LISTEN NOW]