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Tainted Love

Tainted Love

A full-cast reimagining of The Rainbow & Women in Love

Summary

Two bold, authentic dramas exploring D.H. Lawrence's extraordinarily modern view of sexuality

Daring, transgressive and controversial, D.H. Lawrence scandalized the literary world with his frank descriptions of sex and desire. He was censored by his own publisher for being too explicit, and several of his most famous works were banned under the Obscene Publications Act. But for Lawrence, a self-described 'priest of love', passion was the stuff of life - and these two dynamic reimaginings celebrate him at his most fearless, pushing the boundaries of sexuality at the dawn of the 20th Century.

The Rainbow is seen through the eyes of Ursula Brangwen, and spans three generations of her family from 1840 to 1905. Unsatisfied with the limited choices open to women, Ursula delves into the histories of her mother, Anna, and grandmother Lydia, in an attempt to find a path to follow as she grapples with the forces of passion and desire. From her first crush to an illicit same-sex love affair, we follow Ursula on her journey of sexual awakening and self-discovery.

In Women in Love, Ursula's younger sister, Gudrun, comes into equal focus, as she and Ursula search for happiness and fulfilment in the Midlands mining town of Beldover. Gudrun, an artist, embarks on an affair with coalmine owner Gerald Crich; while schoolteacher Ursula falls in love with his friend, school inspector Rupert Birkin. But while Ursula and Rupert grow closer, Gudrun and Gerald's relationship is threatened by Gerald's inability to express his emotions - and his tangled feelings for Rupert...

Cassie Bradley stars as Ursula and Katie Redford as Gudrun in these stunning linked dramas about the complexity of human love.

Cast and credits
Written by D.H. Lawrence

The Rainbow
Ursula - Cassie Bradley
Tom - Karl Collins
Lydia - Aneta Piotrowska
Young Ursula - Florence Hunt
Anna - Rosalie Craig
Young Anna - Lauren Tanner
Will - Lee Ingleby
Anton - Nico Mirallegro
Winifred - Tala Gouveia
Harby - Graeme Hawley

Dramatised by Linda Marshall Griffiths
Directed by Nadia Molinari
A BBC Audio Drama North Production
With thanks to the Estate of Frieda Lawrence Ravagli
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20-27 June 2021

Women in Love
Ursula - Cassie Bradley
Gudrun - Katie Redford
Rupert - Alexander Arnold
Gerald - James Cooney
Hermione - Emily Pithon
Diana/Pussum - Verity Henry
Julius - Rupert Hill
Hermione - Emily Pithon
Loerke - Ashley Margolis

Dramatised by Ian Kershaw
Directed by Gary Brown
A BBC Audio Drama North Production
With thanks to the Estate of Frieda Lawrence Ravagli
First broadcast BBC Radio 4,4-11 July 2021

© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

About the author

D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence was born as David Herbert Lawrence. He was born on September 11, 1885, in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, England, to a working-class family. His early life experiences
and the social environment he grew up in greatly influenced his writing.

In his childhood, Lawrence witnessed the struggles and tensions within his family and the surrounding mining community. His father worked as a miner, and his mother’s
unhappiness and frustrations in her marriage left a lasting impact on Lawrence. Despite the challenges, Lawrence showed an early aptitude for education and was awarded a scholarship to Nottingham High School.

Lawrence’s time at school exposed him to a broader world of literature and ideas. He excelled academically, developing a passion for literature, poetry, and art. His intellectual
pursuits led him to study classics at Nottingham University College (now the University of Nottingham) in 1906. At
university, Lawrence encountered a vibrant literary and artistic community, which further fuelled his creative aspirations.

During his university years, Lawrence began writing poetry, short stories, and essays. He explored themes of human relationships, sexuality, and the profound connection between man and nature.

After leaving university, Lawrence experienced a period of restlessness and uncertainty. He held various jobs, including working as a schoolteacher and a clerk, while continuing to
write.

His early works were not commercially successful, and he struggled financially.
However, Lawrence’s breakthrough came with the publication of his novel Sons and Lovers in 1913. It received critical acclaim for its psychological depth and vivid storytelling. The success of it marked the beginning of Lawrence’s rise to literary fame. In the years that followed, Lawrence published several
notable works, including The Rainbow (1915) and Women in Love (1920). Both faced censorship and controversy due to their explicit depictions of sexuality. Lawrence’s writing
challenged societal norms and conventions. It explored the complexities of human desires and relationships in a candid manner. Lawrence’s reputation as a groundbreaking writer grew, but he faced ongoing struggles with censorship and
public reception.

His works continued to delve into themes
of passion, individuality, and the clash between nature and industrialization. Sadly, Lawrence’s life was cut short when he succumbed to tuberculosis on March 2 1930, in Vence, France.

He was 44 at that time. His literary legacy, however, lives on, and his works have had a profound and lasting impact on 20th-century literature. D.H. Lawrence’s fearless exploration
of human emotions and the complexities of relationships continues to captivate readers to this day.
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