1. Inferno

Available for 30 days

The story of one man's incredible journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise. Blake Ritson, David Warner and John Hurt star in Dante's epic poem - dramatised in three parts by Stephen Wyatt. Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita mi ritrovai per una selva oscura, ché la diritta via era smarrita. 35-year-old Dante finds himself in the middle of a dark wood, in extreme personal and spiritual crisis. But hope of rescue appears in the form of the venerable poet Virgil, now a shade himself, who offers to lead Dante on an odyssey through the afterlife, that begins in the terrifying depths of Hell. Many years later, the older Dante, still in enforced exile from his beloved Florence, attempts to finish his great poem and reflects on the events that have led him to its writing. Dante the Poet .... Blake Ritson Older Dante .... John Hurt Virgil .... David Warner Ulysees/Giant .... Sam Dale Charon/Pope Nicholas III .... Michael Bertenshaw Francesca da Rimini .... Priyanga Burford Count Ugolino .... David Cann Tree/ Adam .... Clive Hayward Vanni Fucci .... Steve Touissaint Angel .... Cassie Layton All other parts are played by members of the company Sound design is by Cal Knightley Directed by Emma Harding and Marc Beeby First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.