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A young girl’s escape from poverty comes at a terrible price in this fairy tale adaptation by Lucy Catherine. Stars Toby Jones.

Toby Jones stars as Hans Christian Andersen in five fairy tale adaptations by Lucy Catherine that shine a light into the dark regions of the author’s mind. Each of the dramas is introduced by bestselling author and fairy tale aficionado, Joanne Harris.

A young girl’s escape from poverty comes at a terrible price. The anti-heroine in this vicious tale was based on Andersen’s loathed half-sister.

Cast:
Hans Christian Andersen....Toby Jones
Karen ….. Shannon Tarbet
Lady ….. Jessica Turner
Mirror ….. Sinead MacInnes
Soldier ….. Ian Conningham
Shoemaker’s Wife ….. Lucy Reynolds
Reverend ….. Clive Hayward
Executioner ….. Neil McCaul

Introduced by Joanne Harris

Directed by Gemma Jenkins

First broadcast on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 in November 2019.

14 minutes

On radio

Tue 5 Aug 2025 08:45
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra

More episodes

Previous

1. The Most Incredible Thing

Next

3. Anne Lisbeth

See all episodes from Dance Till You Bleed: The World According to Hans Christian Andersen

Broadcasts

  • Tue 26 Nov 2019 22:45
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3
  • Tue 5 Aug 2025 08:45
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 5 Aug 2025 13:45
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 5 Aug 2025 19:45
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 6 Aug 2025 03:45
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra