Hard Times - Episode 2
In the second of two episodes introducing Charles Dickens鈥� 1854 novel Hard Times, John Yorke takes a look at his opposing themes of the classroom and the circus.
Charles Dickens鈥� novel Hard Times is perhaps best known for its portrayal of school inspector Thomas Gradgrind, who states clearly and repeatedly at the outset that it鈥檚 facts that matter, and education should be all about filling children up with these facts as if they were vessels rather than human beings.
In this, the second of two episodes introducing Hard Times, John Yorke looks at how Dickens demonstrates the damage that Gradgrind鈥檚 utilitarian approach can have on real people, and offers in opposition to it the colourful spectacle of the circus and the sense of wonder it represents.
Children鈥檚 Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce points out the ways in which traces of Gradgrind鈥檚 approach are still evident in the school room, and how counter-productive that might prove in the modern moment.
John Yorke has worked in television and radio for 30 years, and he shares his experience with Radio 4 listeners as he unpacks the themes and impact of the books, plays and stories that are being dramatised in 主播大秀 Radio 4鈥檚 Sunday Drama series. From EastEnders to The Archers, Life on Mars to Shameless, he has been obsessed with telling big popular stories. He has spent years analysing not just how stories work but why they resonate with audiences around the globe, and has brought together his experience in his bestselling book Into the Woods. As former Head of Channel Four Drama, Controller of 主播大秀 Drama Production and MD of Company Pictures, John has tested his theories during an extensive production career working on some of the world鈥檚 most lucrative, widely viewed and critically acclaimed TV drama. As founder of the hugely successful 主播大秀 Writers Academy, John has trained a generation of screenwriters.
Contributors:
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, screenwriter and current Children鈥檚 Laureate
Dr Emily Bell, University of Leeds
Deborah McAndrew, writer, director and actor
Researcher/Broadcast Assistant: Nina Semple
Sound: Sean Kerwin
Producer: Geoff Bird
Executive Producer: Sara Davies
A Pier production for 主播大秀 Radio 4
On radio
Broadcast
- Sun 6 Oct 2024 14:45主播大秀 Radio 4
Podcast
-
![]()
Opening Lines
John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.
