#Blessed and other stories of love and friendship

Thirteen plays about human connection, from some of BBC Radio''s best writers exploring love, family, romances and life''s ups and downs

This diverse collection of stories centres around family dynamics, relationships both romantic and platonic, and the diverse ways ordinary people navigate the vicissitudes of everyday life.

Ranging from modern fairy tales to coming-of-age dramas, they feature a wide variety of styles, and are scripted by an array of writers from award-winning dramatists to first-time authors. Here are stories of meeting and parting; hope and heartbreak; grief and forgiveness; and the endless possibility of change.

We meet the couple racing to secure their IVF treatment; the wide-eyed young Conservative whose awakening is more than just political; the teenager who discovers a secret that threatens his entire extended family; the ex-offender transformed through his friendship with a photographer, and many more captivating characters. These engrossing dramas let us venture into their worlds; giving us an intimate insight into their lives and loves.

Among the casts are Jaime Winstone, Sean Gallagher, Rhea Bailey, Mina Anwar, Ciarán Griffiths and Harry McEntire.

Cast and credits
All plays are Sparklab productions for BBC Radio 4 and Radio 3.
Produced by Melanie Harris and Executive Produced by Polly Thomas, Jeremy Mortimer & Jo Meek.

#blessed
Cast: Olivia Poulet, Laurence Dobiesz, Ayesha Dharker, Valmike Rampersad, Fenella Woolgar
Written by Olivia Poulet and Laurence Dobiesz. Directed by Susannah Tresilian.

Indigo Children
Cast: Lizzy Clark, Jaime Winstone, Luke Jerdy, Sylvestra Le Touzel
Written by Hannah Silva. Directed by Jude Kelly

My Life Is a Series of People Saying Goodbye
Cast: Sean Gallagher, David Annen, Will Payne, Fenella Woolgar, Frances Grey, Jenny Jules
Written by Dan Rebellato. Produced and Directed by Polly Thomas

Not for Turning
Cast Nicola Holt, Henry Devas, Andrew Bentley, Ashley Gerlach, Toby Hadoke
Written by Tim Dawson. Directed by Lawrence Till

The Ladies Room
Cast: Rhea Bailey, Lisa Livingstone, Lois Chimimba
Written by Gemma Bedeau. Directed by Melanie Harris

Whose Baby?
Cast: Gurjeet Singh, Mina Anwar, Perveen Hussain, George Bukhari, Sid Akbar Ali
Written by Ishy Din. Directed by Julia Ford.

1963
Cast: Andy Clark, Curtis Appleby, Ross Waiton, Jill Dellow, Micheal Ajao
Written by Peter Flannery. Directed by Melanie Harris

Carifesta 2019: Mr Singh
Cast: Keegan Maharaj, Rhesa Samuel, Idrees Saleem, Tafar Lewis, Khadijah Kirton, Israel Nunes Children from the Quays Foundation, Maloney, Trinidad & Tobago.
Written by Derron Sandy. Directed by Melanie Harris

Carifesta 2019: Aron
Cast: Levee Rodriguez, Errol Fabien, Anand Lawkaran, Jayron Remy, Tishanna Williams, Nickolai Salcedo. Written by Kyle Hernandez. Directed by Melanie Harris

Carifesta 2019: Water More Than Flour
Cast: Mandisa Granderson, Conrad Parris, Kimmy Stoute-Robinson, Arnold Goindham
Written by Elisha Efua Bartels. Directed by Melanie Harris

Karin and Andrew
Cast: Eve Shotton, Ciarán Griffiths, Darren Kuppan, Melissa Jane Sinden
Scripted and directed by Melanie Harris.

In His Kiss
Cast: Niamh McGowan, Harry McEntire, Kimberly Hart-Simpson
Written by Lucy Montague Moffatt. Directed by Julia Ford

The Reality Tunnel
Cast: Sarah Miele, Sam Newton
Written by Karen Law. Directed by Melanie Harris

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