In a world without antibiotics, an everyday scratch turns a family’s world upside down in this dystopian BBC radio drama

It is the near-future, and drug resistance has taken hold. Antibiotics are no longer available, and in the war between humanity and bacteria, one little girl is in the front line...

Ten-year-old Sarah is not allowed to play outside. But one day, she and her brother break the rules and go into the nearby woods, where she scratches her knee. The wound gets infected, and soon becomes life-threatening.

Now Sarah’s in a coma, in an isolated room in hospital. Her family and medical team are hoping this will stop the infection – but they’re running out of time. While Sarah’s imagination drifts to Hawaii, her parents are left to make an unbearable choice for their daughter…

Winner of the 2019 BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Original Series, this potent, playful drama was written by acclaimed dramatist Oliver Emanuel, and stars Jocelyn Brassington, Christine Bottomley, Roderick Gilkison and Robin Laing.

Written by Oliver Emanuel

Produced and directed by Kirsty Williams

Consultants: Prof Joanna Coast and Dr Adam Roberts

The Truth About Hawaii was developed through Wellcome Experimental Stories in consultation with Prof Joanna Coast (Professor in the Economics of Health & Care, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol) and Dr Adam Roberts (Senior Lecturer in Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and Resistance at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine)

Cast

Sarah……………………Jocelyn Brassington

Lizzie……………………Christine Bottomley

Paul……………………Roderick Gilkison

David/Woolfson……………………Robin Laing

GP/Elvis Presley/Leo/Minister for Health ……………………Kevin Mains

Doctor/Journalist/UN Secretary General/Headmistress……………………Anita Vettesse

Kylie……………………Dani Heron

Congolese Ambassador/Matron……………………Adura Onashile

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 22 January-2 February 2018