Scuttled: Life on the Rochdale Canal - An Audio Drama

Scuttled - an audio drama

Scuttled is based on MOLA’s recent excavations of Mersey Flat type barges in the historic canal basin of Rochdale. Starring Christopher Eccleston, the audio drama -- released in 25-minute episodes over 5 weeks -- tells the story of a family living and working on the Rochdale Canal between 1840 and 1922.

A team of Northern writers have collaborated with MOLA and North West production company Bamalam CIC to produce a professional audio drama entitled Scuttled. The 5 writers were selected, after an application process that saw 132 submissions. They are: Neil Bell, Isabel Hague, Janine Lanek, Katie Moore and Paul Rigby.

The writers drew on the excavation's findings, as well as research carried out under the direction of Kelly Griffiths at the Rochdale Archives. They produced ten-minute scripts each as a basis for the narrative, under the supervision of script editor, and Bamalam trustee, Ian Winterton.

Lead actor Christopher Eccleston was recorded at Jungle Studios in Soho, London, while the rest of the adult cast -- Joyce Branagh, Becky Kershaw, Kymberly Cochrane, Jonathon Carley, Adam Grayson, and Steve Hillman -- all local to the North West, were recorded over two days in Oscillate Studios, Manchester. In addition, children from St Edward's Primary School, Rochdale, were recorded during a workshop run by Bamalam and MOLA during a recording session at the town's Voltalab Studios.

The audio drama is available below. You can also listen wherever you get your podcasts -- just search THE MIDWEEK DRAMA.