蜜芽传媒

Shahid Iqbal Khan鈥檚 蜜芽传媒 Radio 4 afternoon drama tackles love between two Muslim men from Iran in 815 through to modern-day Bradford using classical poet Abu Nuwas as our guide, our Cupid. Love Across was the Ages was nominated for an Aria 'Best Drama' Award in 2023.

Ab奴 Nuw膩s al-岣�asan ibn H膩n墨 al-岣�akam墨 (c. 756 鈥� c. 814) was a classical Arabic poet, and the foremost representative of the modern (muhdath) poetry, famous for his wine, hunting and homoerotic oeuvre. He also entered the folkloric tradition, appearing several times in One Thousand and One Nights.

It鈥檚 2022. Danyaal and Saif meet in a bookshop in Bradford. They are both drawn to the poetry book of Abu Nuwas, but with only one copy left who will become its lucky owner? Abu Nuwas plays Cupid with his words, with the enchanting powers of his poetry as we are transported to different eras, different countries, each with different views on gay relationships. Can Danyaal and Saif navigate the ups and downs of their relationship during these times and will they live happily ever after? Abu Nuwas reminds us to let down our guard and to reach out鈥� Where will it take us?

Cast:
Danyaal ..... Esh Alladi
Saif ..... Darren Kuppan
Abu Nuwas ..... Raad Rawi
Shop assistant / Shazia ..... Nadia Emam

The quotes from poems by Abu Nuwas were translated by James Montgomery, Jim Colville and Philip Kennedy. Forget the Windswept Traces and Don't Cry for Layla from Poems Of Wine & Revelry, 1st Edition by Colville, published by Routledge 漏 Jim Colville, quoted by arrangement with Taylor & Francis Group.

Shahid Iqbal Khan is an Olivier-Award nominated playwright based in Bury, Greater Manchester. He writes for the stage and radio. His previous works in audio include Brandlesholme (United Kingdoms, Radio 4), Bhavika and Night of the Living Flatpacks (both on community channels). He is currently adapting The Last of the Mohicans for Radio 4.

Nickie Miles-Wildin directs for radio and theatre, making work that challenges, connects and is full of hope.

Production team:
Director, Nickie Miles-Wildin
Sound Recordist, Greg Veryard
Sound Designer, Steve Brooke
Composer, Sarah Sayeed
Illustration, Isobel Platt
Production Manager, Darren Spruce
Producer, Polly Thomas
Executive Producer, Eloise Whitmore

A Naked Production for 蜜芽传媒 Radio 4