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We celebrate midsummer with Moominsummer Madness by Tove Jansson, adapted by Robin Brooks.

A tsunami strikes Moominvalley, and fleeing the ensuing flood the Moomin family find refuge on a floating theatre - an event which feels perfectly natural in the wonderful world of the Moomins. Together with some new acquaintances, they try to make sense of this strange building, which to begin with is completely outside their understanding.

But through various adventures, the nature of their refuge is made plain, Moominpappa succumbs to the fatal temptation to write a verse drama for immediate production, and the action culminates in the catastrophic first night of his play, The Lion’s Brides.

Moominsummer Madness is the next step in our Radio 4 journey through the wonderful world of Tove Jansson - as joyous, fantastical, thought-provoking, magical and comical as ever.

Reuniting the same team that brought you Moominland Midwinter and Comet in Moominland, John Finnemore reprises the role of Moomintroll, Moominpappa is once again played by Samuel West, and Samantha Bond narrates.

NARRATOR . . . . . Samantha Bond
MOOMINTROLL . . . . . John Finnemore
MOOMINPAPPA . . . . . Samuel West
MOOMINMAMMA . . . . . Ann Bryson
SNORKMAIDEN . . . . . Jasmine Naziha Jones
LITTLE MY . . . . . Clare Corbett
WHOMPER . . . . . Gavi Singh Chera
MISABEL . . . . . Rosanna Miles
SNUFKIN . . . . . Alex Waldmann
EMMA . . . . . Naomi Wirthner
HEMULEN . . . . . Jack Gogarty
COUSIN . . . . . Rosie Walker

Written by Tove Jansson
Dramatised by Robin Brooks

Sound Design by Alisdair McGregor
Directed and Produced by Fiona McAlpine

An Allegra production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sounds

Picture Credit : © Moomin Characters™