Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Virus
- A BBC Radio Full-Cast Drama
- Narrated by: Full Cast, Hannah Daniel, Liam Williams, Ronan Summers
- Length: 1 hr and 8 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
Buy Now for £7.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
A love story, about flu.
It's January 1969, the winter after the summer of love, and Jill and David's fledgling relationship is about to be put to test by the outbreak of Hong Kong Flu. As they huddle under blankets together, full of flu, neither of them is aware of how this moment will impact them in both the near and distant future.
Over five episodes, we follow Jill’s story across five decades as she struggles with the highs and lows of life, love and viral infection. At the same time the story tracks the life of Hong Kong Flu – how, over 45 years, it traversed the globe, evolved and was ultimately superseded by new, more virulent strains, such as Swine Flu and now COVID-19. Using cutting edge science – of transmission, viral evolution and genetic predisposition – it tells the story of flu, and investigates the unique qualities of Jill's genome which make her a 'severe responder'. The human story at the heart of this drama underlines the deep connection we have to the viruses that survive through us, and how illness can shape the course of our lives.
First broadcast in 2014 under the title ‘My Life with Flu’, this programme has new resonance today in the time of coronavirus. It touches on many of the subjects that we are now all too familiar with – the ease of transmission, the way that some people react more severely than others to flu, how the body’s reaction to the flu virus creates a perfect climate in the lungs for pneumonia to develop, and flu’s deadly potential.
Cast and credits
Narrator.... Eiry Thomas
Jill/Polly.... Hannah Daniel
David.... Ronan Summers
John.... Liam Williams
Older Jill… Sharon Morgan
Older David… William Hope
Older John… Simon Armstrong
Doctor.... John Norton
Protestor/Yvette/Paramedic 2.... Eirlys Bellin
Minister/Paramedic 1/Doctor.... Alun Raglan
Directed by James Robinson
Produced in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
A BBC Cymru/Wales Production
First broadcast 27-31 October 2014
What listeners say about Virus
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mekon
- 21-01-21
So poignant more today then ever.
Thie play was enjoyable and informative. The story resonates into days strange times. Something we all should take and learn from.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- mr J. R. Jolley
- 30-04-21
Short And Very Educational
I have had this book since it was available in May 2020 and have to say it was very educational. It's a love story that discusses viral infection sensitively without being dramatic. It's an amazing piece and worth the hour of listening. Schools should play this to secondary children because it's educational and gentle all at once.
The piece is a great example of what can be done in the audible medium, combining docu-style narration and drama — highly recommended.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!