Beryl: A Love Story on Two Wheels
4 Extra Debut. True story of a working class mum who combined farm work with world champion cycling. Maxine Peake stars in her first drama.
As an ill child, Beryl Burton was told never to exercise. And then she met a young cyclist called Charlie: "The first year I pushed her, the second year I rode with her, and the third year she was at the head of the bunch".
Maxine Peake writes and stars in this true love story of Beryl Burton, a working class mum from Morley in Leeds who, with no financial backing or training, combined farm work with global domination in all areas of cycling competition from the 1950s to 1970s.
Drama is intertwined with contributions from Charlie Burton, now in his 80s, and their cycling champion daughter, Denise Burton Cole. Their perspective provides an intimate, funny and moving portrayal of Beryl, recorded on bikes in various locations around Saddleworth and in Harrogate.
Cast includes residents of Saddleworth as cyclists and Morley Club supporters
Contributors:
Charlie Burton
Denise Burton Cole
Sound Engineer Sound Designer: Eloise Whitmore
Assistant Producer: Cath Ames
Production Assistant: Claire Ennion
Executive Producer: Melanie Harris
Directed and produced by Justine Potter
A Savvy production for BBC Radio 4.
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Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Beryl Burton | Maxine Peake |
| Charlie Burton | Mark Jordon |
| Stan | Tony Pitts |
| Young Beryl | Sydney Wade |
| Angela | Sydney Wade |
| Young Denise | Sophie Downham |
| Nim Carlin | John Hollingworth |
| Mike McNamara | John Hollingworth |
| Policemen | John Hollingworth |
| Doctors | John Hollingworth |
| Walter Hall | Eden Potter Williams |
| Announcer/Commentator | John Hollingworth |
| Announcer/Commentator | Markus Uhlig |
| Announcer/Commentator | Erica Ryan |
| Announcer/Commentator | Cornelia Mueller Claus |
| Russian Soldier | Pawlo Wintoniuk |
| Director | Justine Potter |
| Producer | Justine Potter |
| Writer | Maxine Peake |
Broadcasts
Tue 27 Nov 201214:15BBC Radio 4- Wed 20 May 201514:15BBC Radio 4
- Fri 6 Jan 201711:15BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 6 Jan 201721:15BBC Radio 4 Extra
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