Â鶹ԼÅÄ

Ayesha, the queen whose beauty enthrals and terrifies all who see her, believes Leo to be the lover for whom she has waited 2000 years. She takes Leo and his guardian Holly deep into the mountains to the Pillar of Life.

Hattie Naylor's adaptation of H Rider Haggard's 19th century best-seller set in a mysterious African kingdom explores the complex themes of imperial arrogance, sexual obsession, power and isolation that lie behind the high adventure.

Ayesha…………………………….. Mia Soteriou
Ludwig Holly…………………… Tim McInnerny
Leo……………………………………Oliver Chris
Job………………………………….. Howard Coggins
Billali…………………………………Ben Onwukwe
Ustane………………………………Janice Acquah
Agarah………………………………Damian Lynch

Composed music by Elizabeth Purnell

Producer: Sara Davies

First broadcast on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4 in 2006.