1. The Birth

Boston 1642. Hester Prynne is forced to wear a letter "A" for adultery. But who should stand at her side?

Starring Deborah Findlay.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic American novel. Moral fiction first published in 1850.

Dramatised in two-parts by Greg Snow.

Set in a 17th century Puritan Boston Bay colony during the years 1642 to 1649 - the story of Hester Prynne, who conceives her daughter Pearl, following an affair with a respected, unnamed figure.

Hester Prynne .... Deborah Findlay
Pearl .... Caroline Graham
Roger Chillingworth ..... Nigel Anthony
Arthur Dimmesdale .... Michael Maloney
Reverend John Wilson .... John Webb
Governor Bellingham .... Aubrey Woods
Mistress Cork .... Siriol Jenkins
Goodwife Spivey/Widow Whitehead .... Melinda Walker
Goodwife Purvis/Alice .... Federay Holmes
Master Cadbury .... Eric Allan
Brackett, the Jailor .... John Church
Beadle/Sexton .... David Holt
Man/Servant .... Julian Rhind-Tutt

Director: Tracey Neale.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1992.