E.R. Braithwaite: A BBC Radio Collection: Three Full-Cast Dramatisations including To Sir, With Love
"A trio of novels by the renowned author, dramatised for BBC Radio
Guyanese writer E. R. Braithwaite is probably best known for his semi-autobiograpical, internationally bestselling novel To Sir with Love, which was adapted as an award-winning film starring Sidney Poitier. Collected here are dramatisations of three of his acclaimed novels, with casts including Kwame Kei-Armah and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
To Sir with Love – Having been rejected from various roles due to the colour of his skin, ex-RAF pilot Rick Braithwaite gets a job as a teacher in a progressive inner-city school in postwar London. The students are tough, foul-mouthed and angry, but he inspires them as they inspire him. Kwame Kwei-Armah stars in this tale of a black teacher’s struggles to connect with his students.
Paid Servant – Seconded to London County Council as a child welfare officer, former teacher Rick Braithwaite faces further prejudice. There, he finds himself taking over the case of Roddy Williams, a vulnerable mixed-race boy in need of a family. Kwame Kwei Armah reprises his role as Rick in this moving sequel to Braithwaite’s 1959 novel To Sir With Love.
Choice of Straws – Rootless Teddy boys Jack and Dave go looking for trouble, but the night ends in tragedy when a man is fatally stabbed. Shocked and remorseful, Jack must deal with anguish and loss, and learn how to live again. Set in the racially intolerant London of the 1950s, this powerful drama stars Harry Hepple and Luke Norris as Jack and Dave, with Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Michelle and Annabelle Dowler as Ruth.
NB: Please note that the stories in this collection deal with themes of racism, and include some offensive language that reflects racist attitudes
Production credits
To Sir with Love
Rick – Kwame Kwei-Armah
Gillian – Sasha Behar
Weston – Simon Treves
Clinty – Liza Sadovy
Florian – Sam Dale
Denham – Steven Webb
Pam – Clare Corbett
Seales – Ashley Chin
Potter – Freddy White
Babs – Leanne Rowe
Dramatised by Roy Williams
Produced and directed by Claire Grove
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 August 2007-2 September 2007
Paid Servant
Rick – Kwame Kwei-Armah
Mr Bentham – Jimmy Aklngbola
Mrs Bentham – Clare Perkins
Jim – John Rowe
Mrs Larkin – Lisa Stevenson
Mr Larkin – Chris Pavlo
Ellesworth – Nyasha Hatendi
Ella – Liz Sutherland
Matron – Joan Walker
Roddy – Cara Halls
Abridged by Anne Edyvean
Directed by Jessica Drumgoole
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9-13 June 2008
Choice of Straws
Jack – Harry Hepple
Dave – Luke Norris
Michelle – Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Mum – Ellie Haddington
Dad – David Hargreaves
Ruth – Annabelle Dowler
Mr Spencer – Alex Lanipekun
Police officer – Stephen Hogan
Dramatised by Roy Williams
Produced and directed by Claire Grove
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 September 2009
© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"
E.R. Braithwaite (Author), Chris Pavlo, Clare Perkins, Full Cast, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Harry Hepple, Jimmy Akingbola, John Rowe, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Liza Sadovy, Nyasha Hatendi, Sam Dale, Sasha Behar (Narrator)
Audiobook
