Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Arlo

By John Retallack. A fresh perspective on childhood and how the love between a couple must be renegotiated when a new family member arrives. A play with songs.

by John Retallack.

There's nothing that Arlo would like better than bringing his parents back together again. A love story with songs.

Singer Madeleine Worrall
Musician: Neil McArthur

Director: David Hunter

This is the story of Grace, a small-time folk singer and Tom a journalist seen through the eyes of their son Arlo who is about to join the Royal Marines. Their passionate youthful affair and marriage at 18 turns sour when Tom feels trapped by his teaching job and side-lined by parenthood. Extended aid trips lead to a career abroad and Grace and Arlo are left behind to fend for themselves in rural Devon.

Mother and son form an especially strong bond, even singing together - a bond that is eventually threatened by Grace contemplating a new relationship and Arlo developing the notion that he has driven his parents apart. And then, having come across groups of training Marines on his increasingly extended wanderings on the Moors, Arlo has a plan.

Arlo has always felt guilty about breaking up the seemingly perfect marriage and there's nothing he'd like better than bringing his parents back together.

Set in the world of small scale folk clubs there will be songs from Grace - (Madeleine Worrall sings with THE GREEN HOUSE BAND).

45 minutes

Last on

Tue 26 Nov 2013 14:15

Credits

Role Contributor
Grace Madeleine Worrall
Arlo Joel MacCormack
Young Arlo Kasper Hilton-Hille
Tom Jonathan Forbes
Philip David Seddon
Writer John Retallack
Director David Hunter

Broadcast

  • Tue 26 Nov 2013 14:15

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

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

The Shakespeare Sessions

The Shakespeare Sessions

Immerse yourself in Shakespeare鈥檚 world

Gallery