Scandinavian Dreams
by Steve Chambers
Steve Chambers - Scandinavian Dreams
BBC Radio 3: Drama on 3
Broadcast: Sunday 21st October 2007 @ 8:00 p.m.
"Scandinavian Dreams" tells the story of 18th-century author, philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft's epic quest to Scandinavia
in pursuit of a stolen treasure ship and a lost love.
The drama focuses on the great love affair of her short life with American soldier-adventurer Gilbert Imlay, and the years it took for her
to get over his rejection. Some of those years were spent working and travelling alone on his behalf, most notably and dangerously in
Scandinavia, where she recovered a lost treasure ship that Imlay had managed to lose to rival businessmen.
The drama follows Wollstonecraft's journeys in the wilds of Sweden and Norway, where she is confronted by a number of bemused
lawyers and businessmen unused to dealing with women – especially clever and beautiful English ones. The story also flashes back
to key events in her life with Imlay, both in London and Revolution-torn Paris, before his blatant betrayal with another woman as Mary
returns with his money and commercial salvation.
Mary Wollstonecraft died at the age of 38 following complications after the birth of her second daughter, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley,
who went on to write "Frankenstein".
With Rachel Atkins [Mary Wollstonecraft], John Schwab [Gilbert Imlay], Colleen Prendergast [Marguerite], Martin Wenner [Elias
Beckman], Michael Roberts [Elleson], David Menkin [Wulfsberg], Ella Smith [Nell], Gerard McDermott [The Boatman], and Christian
Rodska [William Godwin / Judge Nordberg].
The music was composed by Martin Kiszko.
Directed by Dave Sheasby.
Produced by Andy Cartwright.
90 min.
Jim
