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4 Extra Debut. Young Velvet wins a horse for a shilling, but could she ride him in the Grand National? Stars John Sessions and Alison Steadman.

Fourteen year old Velvet is mad about horses. She knows 'there are pleasures earlier than love. Earlier than love, nearer heaven' in the form of horses.

When she wins a piebald horse in a raffle, she recognises he's something special. He can easily clear five-foot fences, and he'll do anything for her. Soon, she and butcher's assistant Mi have their sights set on the biggest race in England. But how can a girl in 1930s England get near Aintree?

Peter Flannery rescues National Velvet from Hollywood, returning 14 year old Velvet to her Sussex butcher's family in the 1930s. A welcome return for Enid Bagnold's strange, inventive fairytale about a young amateur girl rider who takes an untrained horse over the stiffest course in the world and wins.

Sound design: Eloise Whitmore

Author: Enid Bagnold

Dramatised by Peter Flannery
Director/Producer: Melanie Harris
Executive Producer: Polly Thomas

A Sparklab production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.

45 minutes

Last on

Boxing Day 2016 21:15

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Credits

Role Contributor
Velvet Sophie Rundle
Mi Donald John Sessions
Mrs Brown Alison Steadman
Mr Brown Jonathan Keeble
Young Donald Dylan Issberner
Malvolia Tamsin Topolski
Meredith Charity Wakefield
Edwina Charity Wakefield
Blacksmith Sam Lupton
Groom Sam Lupton
Steward Sam Lupton
Director Melanie Harris
Producer Melanie Harris
Adaptor Peter Flannery
Author Enid Bagnold

Broadcasts

  • Christmas Day 2013 14:15
  • New Year's Day 2016 14:15
  • Boxing Day 2016 11:15
  • Boxing Day 2016 21:15

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