Episode 2
Two-part drama with music, marking the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence and directed by Martin Jarvis. Starring Alfred Molina and Ioan Gruffudd.
An award-winning two-part play with music, adapted and directed by Martin Jarvis, celebrating - sometimes irreverently - the American colonies' struggle to break from British rule. Delegates, risking hanging for treason鈥� carve out the Declaration of Independence - the basis of American democracy for 250 years.
A glittering US-based cast includes Alfred Molina, Ioan Gruffudd, Steven Weber, Josh Stamberg, Gregory Harrison and Erin Bennett.
It's June 1776 and Jefferson is congratulated on writing the Declaration. Conservative Edward Rutledge of South Carolina objects to a clause condemning the slave trade. He accuses the northern colonies of hypocrisy, showing they also prosper from slavery. Rutledge insists the anti-slavery clause be removed, in exchange for the southern colonies voting in favour. Ben Franklin pleads with Adams to agree to the anti-slavery clause being removed - for the greater good. It鈥檚 vital that they must first win independence before there鈥檚 any hope of abolishing slavery. Jefferson himself, recognising this, strikes out the passage. Unreliable Judge Wilson will cast the decisive vote. July 4th is fast approaching.
鈥�1776鈥� - A musical play based on a conception of Sherman Edwards with book by Peter Stone. Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Cast
Benjamin Franklin鈥lfred Molina
John Adam...Ioan Gruffudd
Dickinson鈥osh Stamberg
Rutledge鈥teven Weber
Jefferson鈥hase Fein
Hancock鈥ndre Sogliuzzo
Thomson鈥regory Harrison
Henry Lee鈥ichard Leacock
McNair鈥D Cullum
Hopkins鈥illiam Calvert
McKean鈥atthew Wolf
Courier鈥ack Stuhley
Abigail Adams鈥rin Bennett
Delegates: Henri Lubatti, Darren Richardson, Alan Shearman, Mark Jude Sullivan and members of the company
Keyboard: Noriko Olling Wright
Music Director: Jason Currie
Sound Design: Neil Wogenson and Charles Carroll
Production Associate: Tracy Pattin
Producers: Mark Holden and Rosalind Ayres
Adapted and directed by Martin Jarvis
Musicians: Chad Wright, Josh Brown, Mike Edwards, Taryn Spink, Jenni Asher
A Jarvis & Ayres production for 麻豆社 Radio 4
Story of America is a major collection of dramatisations of milestone American titles marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence
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Broadcast
- Sun 18 Jan 2026 15:00麻豆社 Radio 4
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