Opening Lines

Producer and writer John Yorke unpacks the themes and impact behind the books, plays and stories that are being dramatised in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

Episodes (139 available)

Gulliver's Travels - Episode One

John Yorke takes a look at Jonathan Swift’s 1726 satirical masterpiece.

25 Oct 2026

14 mins

Celtic Christie: Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?

John Yorke takes a look at Agatha Christie’s 1934 mystery novel.

11 Oct 2026

14 mins

The Things They Carried

John Yorke explores The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien.

6 Sept 2026

14 mins

Midnight Cowboy

John Yorke looks at Midnight Cowboy by James Leo Herlihy.

23 Aug 2026

14 mins

Libra - Episode Two

John Yorke explores Don DeLillo’s 1988 novel Libra.

16 Aug 2026

14 mins

Libra - Episode One

John Yorke explores Don DeLillo’s 1988 novel Libra.

9 Aug 2026

14 mins

Trouble in Mind

John Yorke takes a look at Alice Childress’s groundbreaking 1954 play.

26 Jul 2026

14 mins

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

John Yorke explores Horace McCoy’s 1930s noir classic, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?

19 Jul 2026

14 mins

Anna Christie - Episode 2

John Yorke looks at Eugene O’Neill’s play Anna Christie.

12 Jul 2026

14 mins

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog

John Yorke explores Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog by Dylan Thomas.

7 Jun 2026

14 mins