Clare Shaw Yusra and me 15 July 2022
Polly Thomas is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading audio producer-directors. Her award-winning work has explored the potential of the medium, including location-based recording, international co-production, community activism and simultaneous live relay. She works in live and broadcast performance as writer, producer and director, most prominently with Thomas Carter Projects, an international media and performance company which she co-founded with Gary Carter.

COMING UP

BLEAK HOUSE
AUDIBLE / RELEASE 26 SEPTEMBER 2024
— directed by Polly Thomas and Jo Tyabji

Charles Dickens’ classic revisited. London. A city drowning in fog. A man with no name dies above a strange junkshop. Threads of mist and intrigue weave around a court case with no resolution, linking great country houses with the lowest slums in the city, mingling the high-born with a boy who sweeps the filthy streets (Lenny Rush), enshrouding devious plots and sudden murder, bringing together two extraordinary women – Lady Dedlock (Thandiwe Newton) and Esther Summerson (Ambika Mod) – who apparently have nothing whatsoever in common, yet find themselves inextricably linked.

The last of Audible’s trilogy of Dickens dramatisations concludes with a dramatic and atmospheric finale. Dramatised by Marty Ross, executive produced by Sam Mendes, original score by Dan Gillespie-Sells and sound design by Joe Richardson. Cast inlcudes Thandiwe Newton, Ambika Mod, Mackenzie Crook, Mark Strong, Lenny Rush, Mark Gatiss, Adeel Akhtar, Miriam Margolyes, Sophie Stone, Philip Glenister, Alex Austin, Sule Rimi, Jonathan Slinger, Saffron Coomber, Jonathan Case, Mat Fraser and more.

For full credits and to pre order, go to www.audible.co.uk

OUR MUTUAL FRIEND
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 3, 10, 17 NOVEMBER 2024, 1500
— produced by Polly Thomas

“…money, money, money, and what money can make of life!” Bella Wilfer, Book 3, Chapter 4.

Dickens’ final and greatest social novel in dynamic new version by leading audio writer Dan Rebellato: a brilliantly funny, sharp depiction of Londoners aspiring to and managing without money, featuring multiple deaths, economic ruins, money and filth, fraud and deception, honesty and survival, and a happy ending. New production marking the 160th year since it written, with a dynamic, ensemble cast, including strong.Bukky Bakray (BAFTA winner for Rocks), Henry Goodman (multi Olivier Award winner and nominee), Mat Fraser (Kaos) and Sule Rimi (The Day of the Jackal 2024).

Directed by Polly Thomas / assistant producer Nicola Miles Wildin / production manager Darren Spruce / executive producer Eloise Whitmore / sound design Jon Nicholls

— a Thomas Carter Project for BBC Radio 4

Illustration by YanKi Darling

THE CURSE OF THE FIVE ELEMENTS
BBC RADIO 4 / BROADCAST 27 NOVEMBER 2024, 1415
— directed by Shan Ng, produced by Polly Thomas

Atmospheric murder mystery set in 11th century Song Dynasty China, written by Simon Wu. Our protagonist, Judge Bao (999 – 1062) was a real person, the illegitimate child of an African father and Chinese mother. He became the most famous judge in Chinese history, featuring widely in Chinese folklore.

Directed by Shan Ng / produced by Polly Thomas / original music by Ruth Chan / production manager Darren Spruce / executive producer Eloise Whitmore / sound design Eloise Whitmore

— a Naked Production for BBC Radio 4

Illustration by YanKi Darling