Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20241123 |  A dramatization by Simon Scardifield from Michael Hofmann's landmark translation of Alfred Döblin's modernist masterpiece - a novel that exploded into 1929 and changed urban writing forever. Ex-convict, Franz Biberkopf, is back on the streets of Berlin determined to go straight. But Berlin has other ideas. Narrator - Claes Bang Franz - Lee Ross Mack - Samuel James Otto - Neil McCaul Pretzel Woman - Ria Marshall Lina - Jasmine Hyde Conductor - .. Mark Edel Hunt Eliser - Justice Ritchie Minna - Grace Cooper Milton Speaker - Chris Jack Alice - Christine Kavanagh Produced by Emma Harding and Marc Beeby Directed by David Hunter and Gemma Jenkins Published in 1929, Germany is on the brink of fatal change. Döblin throws everything at us, like a radio tuner going up and down the dial: weather reports, historical trivia, adverts, sporting results, this is a world where buildings come alive and beer and Schnapps conduct conversations with us. Berlin itself is as much a character as Biberkopf, it's like a vast pinball machine through which our protagonist ricochets. We're looking down on the city through God's eyes one moment and feeling the grittiness and grime of Franz's reality the next. Germans still consider Berlin Alexanderplatz one of their most important - and most loved - literary works. This is Germany's Ulysses playful in its form and as alluring as the modern city it both invents and immortalizes. Alfred D\u00f6blin's modernist masterpiece set in the underworld of 1920s Berlin. Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra. Starring Claes Bang and Lee Ross, a dramatisation by Simon Scardifield of Alfred Döblin's modernist masterpiece set in the ruthless underworld of 1920s Berlin. |
| 02 | 20241130 | A dramatization by Simon Scardifield from Michael Hofmann's landmark translation of Alfred Döblin's modernist masterpiece set on the streets of Berlin - a novel that exploded into 1929 and changed urban writing forever. Betrayed by a business partner ex-con, Franz Biberkopf, gives into the siren call of the criminal underworld once more. Narrator - Claes Bang Franz - Lee Ross Mack - Samuel James Reinhold - .. David Hounslow Pums - Neil McCaul Herbert - .. Mark Edel Hunt Eva - .. Clare Corbett Franzi - Ria Marshall Lina - Jasmine Hyde Slaughterman - Justice Ritchie Cilly - Grace Cooper Milton Keyboard - Chris Jack Alice - Christine Kavanagh Produced by Emma Harding and Marc Beeby Directed by David Hunter and Gemma Jenkins Alfred D\u00f6blin's modernist masterpiece set in the underworld of 1920s Berlin Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra. Simon Scardifield's dramatisation of Alfred Döblin's modernist masterpiece set 1920s Berlin. Betrayed by a business partner ex-con, Franz is drawn back into the criminal underworld |
| 03 | 20241207 | A dramatization by Simon Scardifield from Michael Hofmann's landmark translation of Alfred Döblin's modernist masterpiece set on the streets of Berlin - a novel that exploded into 1929 and changed urban writing forever. Bruised and battered from his run-in with the ruthless Berlin underworld, Franz is offered another shot at redemption when he comes under the protective influence of two friends from his past. Narrator - Claes Bang Franz - Lee Ross Reinhold - .. David Hounslow Eva - .. Clare Corbett Herbert - .. Mark Edel Hunt Pums - Neil McCaul Mitzi - .. Hannah Genesius Oskar - .. Ryan Whittle Mack - Samuel James Schnapps - Jasmine Hyde Beer - .. Michael Begley Willi - Justice Ritchie The Neighbour..... Grace Cooper Milton Keyboard - Chris Jack Alice - Christine Kavanagh Produced by Emma Harding and Marc Beeby Directed by David Hunter and Gemma Jenkins Alfred D\u00f6blin's modernist masterpiece set in the underworld of 1920s Berlin Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra. Simon Scardifield's dramatisation of Alfred Döblin's modernist masterpiece set in the ruthless underworld of 1920s Berlin. Ex-con Franz is offered another shot at redemption. |
| 04 | 20241214 | A dramatization by Simon Scardifield from Michael Hofmann's landmark translation of Alfred Döblin's modernist masterpiece set on the streets of Berlin - a novel that exploded into 1929 and changed urban writing forever. A rivalry between Franz and fellow gang member, Reinhold, escalates to the point that Franz is at risk of losing his very humanity. Narrator - Claes Bang Franz - Lee Ross Reinhold - .. David Hounslow Eva - .. Clare Corbett Herbert - .. Mark Edel Hunt Pums - Neil McCaul Mitzi - .. Hannah Genesius Oskar - .. Ryan Whittle Lawyer - Jasmine Hyde Crooner - .. Michael Begley Policeman - Justice Ritchie Second Building - Grace Cooper Milton Keyboard - Chris Jack Alice - Christine Kavanagh Produced by Emma Harding and Marc Beeby Directed by David Hunter and Gemma Jenkins Alfred D\u00f6blin's modernist masterpiece set in the underworld of 1920s Berlin Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra. Simon Scardifield's dramatisation of Alfred Döblin's modernist masterpiece set in the ruthless underworld of 1920s Berlin. A rivalry threatens Franz Biberkopf's very humanity. |