Kings: Five BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramas

Five dazzling plays showcasing characters from the reign of biblical King David

In these fascinating, moving and insightful plays, a different light is shone on the famous biblical King. From the original mission of King Saul to find the shepherd boy after Samuel's prophecy, to David's final days of sickness and neglect, and taking in his days of war raids and spying as well as his loves and losses as his wives battle for status and attention, the tales bring to life a man who all too often is a figure of myth rather than a flawed and passionate human.

Featuring a rich cast including Sheridan Smith (The Royale Family, Cilla, Gavin & Stacey), Linda Bassett (Call the Midwife, Lark Rise to Candleford), David Calder (The Lovecraft Investigations, Conclave), Claire Rushbrook (Whitechapel, Secrets & Lies), Adam Levy (Industry, The Witcher) and Christopher Godwin (The Dig, The Miniaturist).

True Anointed Eleazar - David Calder David - Adam Levy Goliath - Ewan Bailey Saul - Gerard Murphy Samuel - John Bennett Jesse - David Timson Agag - Christopher Godwin Michal - Claire Rushbrook Other parts were played by Sarah Paul and Carl Prekopp Music by Sylvia Hallett Musicians - Dirk Campbell, Paul Clarvis, Sylvia Hallett Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Jeremy Mortimer

Hazar's Chicken Bone - Tony Marshall David - Adam Levy Abner - David Timson Hazar - Ewan Bailey Abigail - Helen Longworth Saul - Gerard Murphy Jonathan - Carl Prekopp Head Man - Christopher Godwin Music by Sylvia Hallett Musicians - Dirk Campbell, Paul Clarvis, Sylvia Hallett Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Jeremy Mortimer

The Loved One Anat - Ann Mitchell Young Anat - Gemma Saunders Saul - Gerard Murphy Abaiathar - Ewan Bailey Sweet - David Timson Samuel - John Bennett Eleazar - David Calder Music by Sylvia Hallett Musicians - Dirk Campbell, Paul Clarvis, Sylvia Hallett Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by David Hunter

Michal, Saul's Daughter Eglah - Sheridan Smith Michal - Claire Rushbrook Abigail - Caroline Langrishe Servant - Ewan Bailey Music by Sylvia Hallett Musicians - Dirk Campbell, Paul Clarvis, Sylvia Hallett Written by Kate Clanchy Directed by Jeremy Mortimer

Abishag the Virgin Bathsheba - Linda Bassett Abishag - Alison Pettitt Nathan - Christopher Godwin David - David Timson Music by Sylvia Hallett Musicians - Dirk Campbell, Paul Clarvis, Sylvia Hallett Written by Kate Clanchy Directed by David Hunter

Originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4: 15 January - 12 February 2002

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© 2023 BBC Digital Audio (Lydbog): 9781529196146

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Lydbog: 15. juni 2023