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November 1850: At the time of The Great Exhibition, we meet an ambitious owner of a curiosity shop. Read by Louise Brealey.

Set in London 1850 -1851 at the time of The Great Exhibition - follow the story of a young woman named Iris who we first meet painting the faces of tiny porcelain dolls.

Iris burns to become an artist but her modest upbringing and strict working class parents have always meant this seems to be little more than a dream.

She lives with her twin sister, Rose, in a room above a doll shop in London's Regent Street. When a chance encounter offers the glimpse of a new life she is ready to embrace it.

Written by Elizabeth MacNeal.

Omnibus of the first five of ten parts abridged by Isobel Creed and Lizzie Davies

Read by Louise Brealey.

Producer: Lizzie Davies

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in May 2019.

1 hour, 15 minutes

Last on

Sun 11 Dec 202202:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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See all episodes from The Doll Factory by Elizabeth MacNeal (Omnibus)

Broadcasts

  • Sun 19 May 201914:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 20 May 201902:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 10 Dec 202207:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 10 Dec 202212:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 10 Dec 202218:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 11 Dec 202202:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra