麻豆约拍

Manchester during the infamously cold winter of 1895 finds 12 year old Laura and 10 year old Miles shivering in their room.

Since their father's death, they're forced to endure their violent step-father Ralph berating their mother Eliza, and the children are given the harshest possible treatment at his hands.

Meanwhile in contemporary Manchester we meet a single parent family: Liz and her children.

Daughter (Laura) has disturbing dreams of a cruel Victorian childhood - complete with a brother who has a doll.

She tells her wise-cracking brother (Miles) about her vivid and terrible dream, including how he was caned by their step-father and how he seems to have an attachment to a porcelain doll called Edward.

Miles reassures her that their mum is far too busy to have a boyfriend and that he would never ever play with a doll!

Starring Jean Alexander - who played Hilda Ogden for 23 years in ITV's Coronation Street.

Written by Martin Jameson.

Miss/Mrs Troke.....Jean Alexander
Laura.... Rosie Fleeshman
Miles........Ashley Margolis
Ralph.....Andonis James Anthony
Liz/Eliza.....Julia Rounthwaite

Directed at 麻豆约拍 Manchester by Janet Hampson.

First broadcast on 麻豆约拍 Radio 4 in August 2009.

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