• 5 months ago
An epic BBC Radio drama series set in the Welsh valleys, about medical life before the NHS.

Based on AJ Cronin’s award-winning 1937 novel of the same name, which partly inspired Nye Bevan to create the NHS, this gripping drama centres on Andrew Manson, a newly trained GP in 1920s Wales.

Young and idealistic, he is full of enthusiasm when he first arrives in the small mining village of Drineffy, where he is to work as assistant to the elderly Dr Page. But he soon encounters corruption, apathy and appalling medical practices, and becomes determined to storm the citadel of the medical establishment and make a difference.

In these collected episodes, he befriends the cynical Dr Denny and helps him to deal with a typhoid epidemic; meets the love of his life, Christine; performs a remarkable doctoring feat in a crisis; takes a new job in a larger town; becomes caught up in the 1926 miners’ strike – and makes a desperate attempt to save the life of someone close to him…

Adapted from Cronin’s novel by scriptwriter Christopher Reason, this compelling drama about a dedicated doctor developing his career and family life against the backdrop of a country undergoing significant change.

Episode 1 00:00
Dr Denny's feelings for Christine have deepened.

Meanwhile Dr Manson, oblivious to it all, is fighting hard to create a new chest clinic.

Based on AJ Cronin's groundbreaking novel about medical life before the creation of the UK's National Health Service.

Written by Christopher Reason.

Dr. Manson ...... George Blagden
Dr. Denny ...... Julian Lewis Jones
Christine ...... Catrin Stewart
Dr. Hope ...... Seamus O'Neill
Mrs. Wynne Evans ...... Kate Coogan

Director: Pauline Harris

Producers: Gary Brown & Pauline Harris

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2019.

Episode 2 13:45
Dr Manson questions the mine owner, Mr Vaughan, about his record on safety at the pit.

Meanwhile, Mr Vaughan's wife, Lydia, befriends Denny; she knows of his past as a doctor at the siege of Kut.

Based on AJ Cronin's groundbreaking novel about medical life before the creation of the UK's National Health Service.

Written by Christopher Reason

Manson ...... George Blagden
Denny ...... Julian Lewis Jones
Vaughan ...... Seamus O'Neill
Lydia Vaughan ...... Kate Coogan

Director: Pauline Harris

Producer: Gary Brown & Pauline Harris

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2019.

Episode 3 27:30
Denny's in love with Manson's wife, Christine.

When he decides to leave it ends in tragedy.

Based on AJ Cronin's groundbreaking novel about medical life before the creation of the UK's National Health Service.

Written by Christopher Reason

Denny ...... Julian Lewis Jones
Christine ...... Catrin Stewart
Lydia ...... Kate Coogan

Director: Pauline Harris

Producer: Gary Brown & Pauline Harris

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2019.

Episode 4 41:21
Manson tends to his colleague Denny in his crashed car - in a desperate bid to save his life...

Based on AJ Cronin's groundbreaking

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