|
Afternoon Drama on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4, 23 May 2013 Nominated
Book of the Decade in 2010 by The Times, The Emperor's Babe focuses on Zuleika (Michelle Assante), living
in Londinium in 206-211 AD. The daughter of African parents, she has been a free spirit until her betrothal to
a man more than three times her age. Suddenly pitchforked into the higher echelons of society, she has a difficult time
until she embarks on a passionate affair with Emperor Septimus Severus (Terence Anderson). What keeps her sane is her
close relationship with Alba (Alex Tregear). Although
set in the past, using actual historical material as a framework (Septimus Severus did rule Britain, and wanted to conquer
Scotland until he died in 211 AD), The Emperor's Babe draws direct parallels between past and present to comment
on issues of race, colonialism, gender and emancipation. Despite the process of historical change, these issues remain
as significant today as they did in ancient times. Bernardine Evaristo's text could have been made for radio. Written in free verse, it
combines different idioms - classical allusions, contemporary colloquialisms, slang and Latinate phrases. It is an exceptionally
playful style of writing, making light of what might have been heavy material. The beauty of her writing is especially
apparent in the aural medium, where we listen intently to what the characters say, noting as we do so the brilliant use of
alliteration, assonance and different rhythms. Jonathan Holloway's adaptation retains that beauty, while streamlining
the story into a forty-three-minute dramatic form. The Emperor's Babe is a wonderful piece, highly recommended for anyone with a taste
for language.
|
