Rachel Joyce's Shirley on BBC Radio 4

 A new chance to listen to Rachel Joyce's Shirley adaptation on BBC Radio 4:

Woman's Hour. 15 Minute Drama
Shirley  (Monday to Friday, 14:30 PM / 2:30 AM)

Cast
Charlotte Brontë ... Lesley Sharp
Shirley ... Jemima Rooper
Caroline ... Joanne Froggatt
Robert Moore ... Joseph Kloska
Louis Moore ... Joel MacCormack
Mrs Pryor ... Christine Kavanagh
Helstone ... Sean Murray
Hortense Moore ... Priyanga Burford
Mr Sympson ... David Seddon
Crew
Director ... Tracey Neale
Adaptor ... Rachel Joyce

Set against a Yorkshire industrial background, Charlotte Brontë's powerful second novel is also an impassioned plea for social equality - for workers and women alike. Set during the time of the Luddite unrest, two strands weave together. One, the struggles of workers against mill owners, the other involving the romantic entanglements of the two heroines - Shirley Keelder and Caroline Helstone. It is the friendship of these two women, and the contrast between their situations, that lies at the heart of the piece. Many believe the character of Shirley was written for, and about, Charlotte's sister, Emily, who was dying as Charlotte wrote the novel.

Episodes
October 22
Cousins 1/10 Charlotte Brontë's tale of romantic entanglements set against turbulent times in Yorkshire.
October 23
Caroline Goes Visiting 2/10 Caroline receives an invitation to meet Shirley Keelder, new owner of the manor house.
October 24
Good Works 3/10 Shirley questions Caroline, when she discovers that her friend has lock of Robert's hair.
October 25
Whitsuntide 4/10 Shirley's charity has begun to alleviate the suffering of the poor in Briarfield.
October 26
A Proposal 5/10 The Rioters have stormed Robert's mill, and Shirley and Caroline wait anxiously for news.
October 29
The Valley of the Shadow of Death 6/10 Robert has suddenly left Yorkshire, unaware that Caroline has fallen into a deep sickness.
October 30
The First Blue Stocking 7/10 Shirley is horrified that her uncle is determined to find her a husband of his choosing.
October 31
News 8/10 Something is very wrong with Shirley but she refuses to tell anybody what ails her.
November 1
Confessions 9/10 As they wait to hear Robert's fate, Shirley tells Caroline why she has been so secretive.
November 2
The Winding Up 10/10 It is a time of change, and decisions need to be made.

Shirley Omnibus Part One
BBC Radio 4 Extra, October 28  6am - 7:15am / 1pm - 2:15pm / October 29 1am / 2:15am
Shirley Omnibus Part Two
BBC Radio 4 Extra, November 4  6am - 7:15am / 1pm - 2:15pm / November 5 1am / 2:15am