大象传媒

The dramatic climax of the Emile Zola: Money season, inspired by literature鈥檚 greatest ever whistle-blower and his epic saga of the Rougon Macquart families.

Adelaide Fouque (Dide) is 104 years old, trapped in her small room in the local asylum, but omniscient as she broods over her extended family. As a young woman, she gave birth to two dynasties that exemplified French society - one legitimate, rich, powerful, obsessive and corrupt; the other illegitimate, poor, vulnerable, weak and depraved. France is on the brink of a new Empire. Her family is a turbulent mix of the good, the bad and the misguided.

Damaged by a lifetime of seizures and her mind scarred by trauma but Dide cannot forget her family. "What did I bring into this world? Wolves... I have raised a family of Wolves... I have watched their years. I will tell their story. Crime by crime. Blood by blood."

In this final episode, Dide escapes from the asylum and sets about stopping daughter-in-law F茅licit茅 Rougon鈥檚 unscrupulous plans to make the family rule supreme in wealth and politics across France. Her third grandson, Pascal, unites his scientific research with her family memories to publish a book that will blow the whistle on all the appalling misdeeds and weaknesses of Dide's family line. But F茅licit茅 will stop at nothing to prevent publication. When Pascal falls in love, to his great surprise, F茅licit茅 finds a chink in his armour - with disastrous results.

Dan Rebellato is a Sony nominated writer and Professor of Theatre at Royal Holloway.

Cast:
Dide.......................Glenda Jackson
F茅licit茅...................Fenella Woolgar
Antoine..................Adrian Scarborough
Pascal....................Jonathan Tafler
Clotilde..................Elizabeth Boag
Mayor /
Mr Grandguillot.......David Bamber

Dramatised by Dan Rebellato

Sound Designer: Eloise Whitmore
Series Producer: Susan Roberts
Executive Producer: Melanie Harris

Produced and Directed by Polly Thomas
A Sparklab production for 大象传媒 Radio 4