Charles Kingsley - The Water Babies

CHARLES KINGSLEY - THE WATER BABIES (320kbs-m4a/394mb/2hrs51mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 17th to 19th September 2025

Published in 1863, Charles Kingsley's novel dramatised in three parts by Berlie Doherty.

Starring Julia McKenzie and Timothy West.

Director: Janet Whitaker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998.

CHARLES KINGSLEY - THE WATER BABIES - 1. CRUELTY (320kbs-m4a/130mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 17th September 2025

Tom is forced by his cruel master, Grimes, up the chimneys of Hartover Hall.

In the chase that follows, Tom is rescued by the Fairies and taken to be a Water Baby under the waves.

Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby ........ Julia McKenzie
Charles Kingsley ........ Timothy West
Tom ........ Oliver Peace
Grimes ........ Philip Jackson
Sir John ........ Geoffrey Whitehead
The Dame ........ Maggie McCarthy
Miss Ellie ........ Ciara Janson
The Otter ........ Frances Jeater
The Dragonfly ........ Charles Simpson
The Fly ........ David Antrobus
The Caddisfly ........ Sarah-Jane Holm

Other parts played by:

Rosie Wiggins
Victoria Hickson
Alex Bird
Mark Guildea
Fiona Taylor
Samantha Morris
Nicola Cannon
Leigh Harris
Patrick Clibbens

CHARLES KINGSLEY - THE WATER BABIES - 2. NEW FRIENDS (320kbs-m4a/131mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 18th September 2025

Now a Water Baby, Tom is warned to behave, as he befriends the sea creatures...

Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby ...... Julia McKenzie
Charles Kingsley ...... Timothy West
Tom ...... Oliver Peace
Grimes ...... Philip Jackson
The Lobster ...... Olivier Pierre
The Salmon ...... Sean Baker
Lady Salmon ...... Frances Jeater
The Turbot ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
The Professor ...... Christopher Good
Miss Ellie ...... Ciara Janson
The Porpoise ...... Sarah-Jane Holm

And as the Water Babies:

Rosie Wiggins
Victoria Hickson
Alex Bird
Mark Guildea

CHARLES KINGSLEY - THE WATER BABIES - 3. THE OTHER END OF NOWHERE (320kbs-m4a/131mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 19th September 2025

Tom sets off for the Other-End-of-Nowhere.

Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby ...... Julia McKenzie
Charles Kingsley ...... Timothy West
Tom ...... Oliver Peace
Grimes ...... Philip Jackson
The Lobster ...... Olivier Pierre
The Salmon ...... Sean Baker
Lady Salmon ...... Frances Jeater
The Turbot ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
The Professor ...... Christopher Good
Miss Ellie ...... Ciara Janson
The Porpoise ...... Sarah-Jane Holm
Giant ...... Peter Woodthorpe
Herring ...... Gerard McDermott
Gairfowl ...... Frances Jeater
Older Tom ...... David Antrobus
Truncheon ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Older Ellie ...... Sarah-Jane Holm

And as the Water Babies:

Rosie Wiggins
Victoria Hickson
Alex Bird
Mark Guildea