Chinua Achebe - Things Fall Apart

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20130401

Remembering the founding father of African literature with his classic novel.

The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature

Peace Offering

20200921

20241209 (BBC7)
20241210 (BBC7)

A neighbouring clan commits an offence against Umuofia - to avoid war, the offending clan gives Umuofia a young boy, Ikemefuna who is entrusted to Okonkwo.

Chinua Achebe's classic tale depicting pre-colonial 1890's Igbo village life, centring on the rise and fall of a powerful Igbo clan leader Okonkwo.

Ikemefuna/Uzowulu - Clinton Liberty

Chinyere - Grace Cookey-Gam

Ekwefi/Ezinma - Marilyn Nnadebe

Odukwe/Ezeugu - Richard Pepple

Dramatised by Biyi Bandele.

Directed by Nadia Molinari.

Okonkwo looks after a young man given to Umuofia as a peace offering from another clan.

Chinua Achebe's powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity.

When a neighbouring clan commits an offence against Umuofia, the offending clan gives them a peace offering. Stars Okezie Morro.

[LISTEN NOW]

20130402

Ashamed of his idle father, Okonkwo is determined not to follow in his footsteps.

The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature

Impossible Choice

20200922

20241210 (BBC7)
20241211 (BBC7)

Having lived with Okonkwo for three years, Ikemefuna is treated like a son until the day that the Oracle of the Hills and Caves pronounces a different fate for him.

Chinua Achebe's classic tale set in 1890's about the rise and fall of Okonkwo a powerful Igbo clan leader.

Ikemefuna - Clinton Liberty

Chinyere - Grace Cookey-Gam

Dramatized by Biyi Bandele.

Directed by Nadia Molinari.

A proclamation from the Oracle about Ikemefuna, forces Okonkwo to make a difficult choice.

Chinua Achebe's powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity.

A proclamation from the Oracle about Ikemefuna, forces Okonkwo to make an impossible choice. Starring Clinton Liberty.

[LISTEN NOW]

20130403

Okonkwo becomes a great man in his clan, a fierce warrior and successful farmer.

The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature

Accidental Crime

20200923

20241211 (BBC7)
20241212 (BBC7)

At the funeral of the great warrior Ogbuefi Ezeudu, Okonkwo accidentally commits a crime against the Earth Goddess and is forced to flee.

Chinua Achebe's classic tale about the rise and fall of Okonkwo.

Nwoye/One-Handed Spirit - Michael Ajao

Dramatised by Biyi Bandele.

Directed by Nadia Molinari.

Chinua Achebe's powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity.

At the funeral of a great warrior, Okonkwo accidentally commits a crime against the Earth Goddess. Starring Cyril Nri.

[LISTEN NOW]

20130404

Okonkwo's determination not to appear weak leads him to take part in a killing.

The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature

Division

20200924

20241212 (BBC7)
20241213 (BBC7)

When Christian missionaries arrive and proclaim that the Igbo Gods are false, Okonkwo is angered but his son Nwoye has a different view.

Chinua Achebe's powerful, moving tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity, tradition and independence in the face of colonial rule.

Rev Brown - Andonis Anthony

Nwoye - Michael Ajao

Mr Kiaga/Enoch - Sule Rimi

Dramatised by Biyi Bandele.

Directed by Nadia Molinari

The arrival of Christian missionaries causes division between Okonkwo and his son Nwoye.

Chinua Achebe's powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity.

The arrival of Christian missionaries causes division between Okonkwo and his son, Nwoye. Stars Michael Ajao and Okezie Morro.

[LISTEN NOW]

20130405

The clan gathers for a ceremony and the spirits of the ancestors are abroad.

The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature

Fight For Independence

20200925

20241213 (BBC7)
20241214 (BBC7)

As the Christian Missionaries and the British Colonial Officers take ever stronger control over Umuofia will Okonkwo be able to persuade his fellow clan members to fight for their independence?

The tragic concluding episode of Chinua Achebe's, powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity, tradition and independence in the face of colonial rule.

Ajofia/Head Messenger - Sule Rimi

Rev Brown/District Commissioner - Andonis Anthony

Nwoye/Interpreter - Michael Ajao

Ekwueme - Richard Pepple

Dramatised by Biyi Bandele.

Directed by Nadia Molinari.

Chinua Achebe's powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity.

As British Colonial forces take more control, can Okonkwo persuade clan members to fight for independence? Stars Okezie Morro.

[LISTEN NOW]

20130408

Okonkwo joins his friend Obierika to celebrate his daughter's wedding.

The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature

20130409

Forced into exile, Okonkwo returns to his mother's clan with three wives and 11 children.

The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature

20130410

Missionaries arrive in the village and ask for land on which to build a church.

The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature

20130411

The seven years of exile are at an end and Okonkwo prepares to return to his clan.

The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature

20130412

The church has been destroyed and the elders are summoned.

The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature

OMNI

20241215

20241216 (BBC7)

Chinua Achebe's classic tale depicting pre-colonial 1890's Igbo village life, centring on the rise and fall of a powerful Igbo clan leader Okonkwo.

Ikemefuna/Uzowulu - Clinton Liberty

Chinyere - Grace Cookey-Gam

Ekwefi/Ezinma - Marilyn Nnadebe

Odukwe/Ezeugu/ Ekwueme - Richard Pepple

Nwoye/One-Handed Spirit//Interpreter - Michael Ajao

Rev Brown/District Commissioner.... Andonis Anthony

Mr Kiaga/Enoch/ Ajofia/Head Messenger - Sule Rimi

Omnibus of five episodes dramatised by Biyi Bandele.

Director: Nadia Molinari

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2020.

A tale of pre-colonial 1890's Igbo village life, and the rise and fall of its clan leader.

A tale of pre-colonial 1890's Igbo village life, and the rise and fall of clan leader Okonkwo. Starring Okezie Morro.

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01		20130401		Remembering the founding father of African literature with his classic novel. The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature
01	Peace Offering	20200921	20241209 (BBC7) 20241210 (BBC7)	A neighbouring clan commits an offence against Umuofia - to avoid war, the offending clan gives Umuofia a young boy, Ikemefuna who is entrusted to Okonkwo. Chinua Achebe's classic tale depicting pre-colonial 1890's Igbo village life, centring on the rise and fall of a powerful Igbo clan leader Okonkwo. Ikemefuna/Uzowulu - Clinton Liberty Chinyere - Grace Cookey-Gam Ekwefi/Ezinma - Marilyn Nnadebe Odukwe/Ezeugu - Richard Pepple Dramatised by Biyi Bandele. Directed by Nadia Molinari. Okonkwo looks after a young man given to Umuofia as a peace offering from another clan. Chinua Achebe's powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity. When a neighbouring clan commits an offence against Umuofia, the offending clan gives them a peace offering. Stars Okezie Morro. [LISTEN NOW]
02		20130402		Ashamed of his idle father, Okonkwo is determined not to follow in his footsteps. The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature
02	Impossible Choice	20200922	20241210 (BBC7) 20241211 (BBC7)	Having lived with Okonkwo for three years, Ikemefuna is treated like a son until the day that the Oracle of the Hills and Caves pronounces a different fate for him. Chinua Achebe's classic tale set in 1890's about the rise and fall of Okonkwo a powerful Igbo clan leader. Ikemefuna - Clinton Liberty Chinyere - Grace Cookey-Gam Dramatized by Biyi Bandele. Directed by Nadia Molinari. A proclamation from the Oracle about Ikemefuna, forces Okonkwo to make a difficult choice. Chinua Achebe's powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity. A proclamation from the Oracle about Ikemefuna, forces Okonkwo to make an impossible choice. Starring Clinton Liberty. [LISTEN NOW]
03		20130403		Okonkwo becomes a great man in his clan, a fierce warrior and successful farmer. The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature
03	Accidental Crime	20200923	20241211 (BBC7) 20241212 (BBC7)	At the funeral of the great warrior Ogbuefi Ezeudu, Okonkwo accidentally commits a crime against the Earth Goddess and is forced to flee. Chinua Achebe's classic tale about the rise and fall of Okonkwo. Nwoye/One-Handed Spirit - Michael Ajao Dramatised by Biyi Bandele. Directed by Nadia Molinari. Chinua Achebe's powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity. At the funeral of a great warrior, Okonkwo accidentally commits a crime against the Earth Goddess. Starring Cyril Nri. [LISTEN NOW]
04		20130404		Okonkwo's determination not to appear weak leads him to take part in a killing. The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature
04	Division	20200924	20241212 (BBC7) 20241213 (BBC7)	When Christian missionaries arrive and proclaim that the Igbo Gods are false, Okonkwo is angered but his son Nwoye has a different view. Chinua Achebe's powerful, moving tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity, tradition and independence in the face of colonial rule. Rev Brown - Andonis Anthony Nwoye - Michael Ajao Mr Kiaga/Enoch - Sule Rimi Dramatised by Biyi Bandele. Directed by Nadia Molinari The arrival of Christian missionaries causes division between Okonkwo and his son Nwoye. Chinua Achebe's powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity. The arrival of Christian missionaries causes division between Okonkwo and his son, Nwoye. Stars Michael Ajao and Okezie Morro. [LISTEN NOW]
05		20130405		The clan gathers for a ceremony and the spirits of the ancestors are abroad. The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature
05	Fight For Independence	20200925	20241213 (BBC7) 20241214 (BBC7)	As the Christian Missionaries and the British Colonial Officers take ever stronger control over Umuofia will Okonkwo be able to persuade his fellow clan members to fight for their independence? The tragic concluding episode of Chinua Achebe's, powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity, tradition and independence in the face of colonial rule. Ajofia/Head Messenger - Sule Rimi Rev Brown/District Commissioner - Andonis Anthony Nwoye/Interpreter - Michael Ajao Ekwueme - Richard Pepple Dramatised by Biyi Bandele. Directed by Nadia Molinari. Chinua Achebe's powerful tale of an Igbo community fighting to retain its identity. As British Colonial forces take more control, can Okonkwo persuade clan members to fight for independence? Stars Okezie Morro. [LISTEN NOW]
06		20130408		Okonkwo joins his friend Obierika to celebrate his daughter's wedding. The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature
07		20130409		Forced into exile, Okonkwo returns to his mother's clan with three wives and 11 children. The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature
08		20130410		Missionaries arrive in the village and ask for land on which to build a church. The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature
09		20130411		The seven years of exile are at an end and Okonkwo prepares to return to his clan. The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature
10		20130412		The church has been destroyed and the elders are summoned. The story of a society which lives close to the rhythms and drumbeats of nature
OMNI		20241215	20241216 (BBC7)	Chinua Achebe's classic tale depicting pre-colonial 1890's Igbo village life, centring on the rise and fall of a powerful Igbo clan leader Okonkwo. Ikemefuna/Uzowulu - Clinton Liberty Chinyere - Grace Cookey-Gam Ekwefi/Ezinma - Marilyn Nnadebe Odukwe/Ezeugu/ Ekwueme - Richard Pepple Nwoye/One-Handed Spirit//Interpreter - Michael Ajao Rev Brown/District Commissioner.... Andonis Anthony Mr Kiaga/Enoch/ Ajofia/Head Messenger - Sule Rimi Omnibus of five episodes dramatised by Biyi Bandele. Director: Nadia Molinari First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2020. A tale of pre-colonial 1890's Igbo village life, and the rise and fall of its clan leader. A tale of pre-colonial 1890's Igbo village life, and the rise and fall of clan leader Okonkwo. Starring Okezie Morro. [LISTEN NOW]