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A Many-Splendoured Thing, Part 1

Part One of a new dramatisation of Han Suyin’s landmark novel of passion and revolution in Hong Kong. Starring Chipo Chung and Billy Howle.

Part One of Ming Ho’s new dramatisation of Han Suyin’s landmark semi-autobiographical novel.

The story follows Suyin, a doctor and writer, living and working in late 1940s Hong Kong. When Suyin meets British war reporter Mark, she embarks on a secret love affair that tests her relationship to her own Eurasian identity and divided loyalties. With a fierce sense of duty to China, and a difficult past, Suyin is forced to ask if their relationship could really survive outside of Hong Kong. And at what cost?

Originally published in 1952, this is a story of two societies on the cusp of change - colonial Hong Kong and feudal, revolutionary China – in a fresh adaptation for Â鶹Éç Radio 4.

CAST
Suyin ..... Chipo Chung
Mark ..... Billy Howle
Adeline Palmer-Jones ..... Sarah Lam
Humphrey Palmer Jones/Third Uncle ..... Paul Courtenay Hyu
Robert Hung/William Monk ..... Daniel York Loh
Nora Hung/Suchen ..... Jennifer Lim
Suzanne/ Martha Monk ..... Elizabeth Chan
John Tam/Ribiero ..... Jon Chew
Fiona Manton ..... Ruth Everett
James Manton ..... Dickon Farmar
Mei..... Ivy Wong

Dramatised by Ming Ho
Directed by Anne Isger
Sound by Andy Garrett and Pete Ringrose
Production Co-ordination by Ben Hollands
A Â鶹Éç Audio Production

Available now

57 minutes

Last on

Sun 26 Nov 2023 15:00

Broadcast

  • Sun 26 Nov 2023 15:00

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.