Â鶹Éç

A story of love in a time of war, starring Maxine Peake.

Barcelona, 1930s: Natalia, a pretty, naïve shop girl from the working-class quarter of Gracia, is hesitant when a stranger asks her to dance at the fiesta in Diamond Square. But Quimet is charming and forceful and she takes his hand. They marry and have two children, although Quimet proves an unpredictable husband. He gives her the nickname of Colometa, meaning Little Pigeon, and breeds the birds in their apartment.

Set against the backdrop of the turbulent years of the Spanish Republic and Civil War, Natalia experiences the conflict from a city in turmoil as she fights for her and her children’s survival.

Written in exile from Franco’s dictatorship by Mercè Rodoreda, the novel has been translated into 28 languages, produced in Spain as a film and TV series, and is taught as part of the school curriculum. Gabriel García Márquez learnt Catalan just to be able to read it in its original language.

The novel has been adapted for radio by Hattie Naylor, a multi-award winning scriptwriter and audio dramatist. Her gothic thriller Dead Weather won Best Drama, Best Actress and Best Supporting Performance at the Â鶹Éç Audio Drama Awards 2022. She won the Tinniswood Award for Best Radio Script for Ivan and the Dogs which also picked up an Olivier nomination and has been adapted as a film.

Cast:
Natalia (Colometa) ….. Maxine Peake
Quimet ….. Will Howard
Mateu ….. Luke Jerdy
Cintet ….. Liam Garrigan
Mrs Enriqueta ….. Jane Slavin
Julieta ….. Faye Marsay

Other voices played by the cast

Written by Mercè Rodoreda
Adapted for radio by Hattie Naylor from the translation by Peter Bush

Sound Design ….. Adam Woodhams
Mix ….. Steve Bond

Executive Producer ….. Sara Davies

Directed and produced by Nicolas Jackson

An Afonica production for Â鶹Éç Radio 4

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