E.R. Braithwaite: A BBC Radio Collection

A trio of novels by the renowned author, dramatised for BBC Radio

Guyanese writer E. R. Braithwaite is probably best known for his semi-autobiograpical, internationally bestselling novel To Sir with Love, which was adapted as an award-winning film starring Sidney Poitier. Collected here are dramatisations of three of his acclaimed novels, with casts including Kwame Kei-Armah and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

To Sir with Love – Having been rejected from various roles due to the colour of his skin, ex-RAF pilot Rick Braithwaite gets a job as a teacher in a progressive inner-city school in postwar London. The students are tough, foul-mouthed and angry, but he inspires them as they inspire him. Kwame Kwei-Armah stars in this tale of a black teacher’s struggles to connect with his students.

Paid Servant – Seconded to London County Council as a child welfare officer, former teacher Rick Braithwaite faces further prejudice. There, he finds himself taking over the case of Roddy Williams, a vulnerable mixed-race boy in need of a family. Kwame Kwei Armah reprises his role as Rick in this moving sequel to Braithwaite’s 1959 novel To Sir With Love.

Choice of Straws – Rootless Teddy boys Jack and Dave go looking for trouble, but the night ends in tragedy when a man is fatally stabbed. Shocked and remorseful, Jack must deal with anguish and loss, and learn how to live again. Set in the racially intolerant London of the 1950s, this powerful drama stars Harry Hepple and Luke Norris as Jack and Dave, with Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Michelle and Annabelle Dowler as Ruth.

NB: Choice of Straws contains language reflecting attitudes of the times

Production credits

To Sir with Love

Rick – Kwame Kwei-Armah

Gillian – Sasha Behar

Weston – Simon Treves

Clinty – Liza Sadovy

Florian – Sam Dale

Denham – Steven Webb

Pam – Clare Corbett

Seales – Ashley Chin

Potter – Freddy White

Babs – Leanne Rowe

Dramatised by Roy Williams

Produced and directed by Claire Grove

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 August 2007-2 September 2007

Paid Servant

Rick – Kwame Kwei-Armah

Mr Bentham – Jimmy Aklngbola

Mrs Bentham – Clare Perkins

Jim – John Rowe

Mrs Larkin – Lisa Stevenson

Mr Larkin – Chris Pavlo

Ellesworth – Nyasha Hatendi

Ella – Liz Sutherland

Matron – Joan Walker

Roddy – Cara Halls

Abridged by Anne Edyvean

Directed by Jessica Drumgoole

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9-13 June 2008

Choice of Straws

Jack – Harry Hepple

Dave – Luke Norris

Michelle – Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Mum – Ellie Haddington

Dad – David Hargreaves

Ruth – Annabelle Dowler

Mr Spencer – Alex Lanipekun

Police officer – Stephen Hogan

Dramatised by Roy Williams

Produced and directed by Claire Grove

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 September 2009

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