Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20210801 | A new dramatisation by Robin Brooks of Mary Renault's classic book, The King Must Die. Mary Renault tells the story of Theseus, his adventures on mainland Greece in search of his true identity, and his journey to the heart of the Labyrinth of Knossos, where he must face the Minotaur. Renault is considered by many to be the finest historical novelist of the 20th Century. In this story, she brilliantly evokes a distant age, and explores the eternal conflict between male and female, through the violent career of a warrior king who is enmeshed in dark forces beyond his control. Episode One: The young hero Theseus sets out to solve the mystery of his birth and follow his destiny in a perilous world, caught up in elemental conflict. Cast: Theseus - Shane Zaza Persephone - Rakie Ayola Poseidon - Raad Rawi Pittheus - Lawrence Werber Aithra - Barbara Peirson Diokles - Richard Bates Kerkyon / Hippon - Gavi Singh Chera Menas / Lukos - Charlie Archer Photios / Iros - Sam Henderson Amyntor / Lysis - Jack Heydon Xanthos - Michael Gukas Aigeus - Roderick Smith Medea - Tessa Wojtczak Phormion / Rizon - Joe McArdle Helike / Maid - Sophie Walter Melantho / Maid - Heidi Parsons Chryse - Alexandra Ewing Nephele - Harmony Rose-Bremner Simo - Alexander Finch Young Theseus - Bruno Finch Dramatised by Robin Brooks Directed and Produced by Fiona McAlpine Music composed by Matthew Sheeran Recorded on location in Suffolk. Sound Design by Wilfredo Acosta An Allegra production for BBC Radio 4 Picture Credit (for BBC Sounds page) Theseus killing the Minotaur © The Trustees of the British Museum Theseus sets out to solve the mystery of his birth and follow his destiny into danger. A new dramatisation of Mary Renault's classic book, telling the story of Theseus. |
| 02 | 20210808 | Part Two of Robin Brooks's new adaptation of Mary Renault's classic book, The King Must Die, starring Shane Zaza. The King Must Die tells the story of Theseus, his adventures on mainland Greece in search of his true identity, and his journey to the heart of the Labyrinth of Knossos, where he must face the Minotaur. Mary Renault is considered by many to be the finest historical novelist of the Twentieth Century. In this story, she evokes a distant age brilliantly, and explores the eternal conflict between male and female, through the violent career of a warrior king who is enmeshed in dark forces beyond his control. Episode Two: Theseus has thrown in his lot with the unfortunate youths chosen for sacrifice to the Minotaur, but when he finds himself in the decadent civilisation of Minoan Crete a strange new world opens to him, including the glamour and danger of the bull-dance. Cast: Theseus - Shane Zaza Poseidon - Raad Rawi Ariadne - Annie Haworth Minos - Richard Braine Phormion - Joe McArdle Corinthian - Harmony Rose-Bremner Asterion / Priest - Theo Fraser Steele Lukos / Alektryon - Charlie Archer Laia / Lady - Tessa Wojtczak Aktor / Lord / Perimos / Guard - Richard Bates Melantho / Lady / Queen of Naxos - Heidi Parsons Helike / Maenad - Sophie Walter Hippon / Captain / Young King - Gavi Singh Chera Chryse / Girl - Alexandra Ewing Iros / Alexias - Sam Henderson The King Must Die by Mary Renault Dramatised by Robin Brooks Music composed by Matthew Sheeran Directed and Produced by Fiona McAlpine Recorded on location in Suffolk. Sound Design by Wilfredo Acosta An Allegra production for BBC Radio 4 Picture credit (for BBC Sounds page) Theseus Killing the Minotaur © The Trustees of the British Museum Theseus travels to Knossos and threads the labyrinth into the Minotaur's lair. A new dramatisation of Mary Renault's classic book, telling the story of Theseus. |