A Head Start

In the first episode of this epic saga inspired by the Mamluk slave-dynasty of Egypt, Gregor (Rufus Wright) – Master of the Palace Guard – is charged by Sultan Al-Ghuri (Raad Rawi) with the task of rooting out an insurgence and crushing it.

Tumanbay, the beating heart of a vast empire, is threatened by a rebellion in a far-off province and a mysterious force devouring the city from within.

Cast:
Gregor......................................Rufus Wright
The Girl on the Ship..................Olivia Popica
Her Mother...............................Nathalie Armin
The Slave Merchant..................Nabil Elouahabi
Cadali.......................................Matthew Marsh
Frog..........................................Deeivya Meir
Frog's Mother...........................Sirine Saba
Basim.......................................Alexander Siddig
Sarah.......................................Nina Yndis
Envoy.......................................Nadir Khan
Shajar......................................Sarah Beck Mather
Madu........................................Danny Ashok
Sultan Al-Ghuri.........................Raad Rawi
General Qulan.........................Christopher Fulford
Physician.................................Vivek Madan
Daniel......................................Gareth Kennerley
Maid.........................................Laure Stockley
Ship Captain............................Albert Welling

All other parts played by:
Christian Hillborg
Stefano Braschi
Alex Utgoff

Music - Sacha Puttnam
Sound Design - Steve Bond, Jon Ouin
Editors - Ania Przygoda, James Morgan
Producers - Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan, John Dryden

Written and Directed by John Dryden

A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4