Miriam and Youssef BBC World Service
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- Fiction
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A 10-part drama about the founding of Israel. Miriam is a Jewish immigrant to Palestine, and Youssef is an Arab inhabitant driven into exile. At the heart of it all is the city of Jerusalem.
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Ep 10. Birth of a Nation
1948. The final episode of the epic drama. With the UN voting to establish a Jewish state, Israel is born – but the new state comes under attack from its Arab neighbours. The final episode of the epic drama series.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul
The Palestinian woman: Nathalie Armin
Other parts: Heather Craney, Clive Hayward and Hasan Dixon
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
Ep 9. Death of a Village
The epic drama series continues. 1948. Miriam and Youssef try to hold on to their ideals of peace as violence erupts following the UN vote for the partition of Palestine, and Deir Yassin comes under attack.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani
The Haganath Major: Clive Hayward
Other parts: Hasan Dixon, Steve Waters and members of the cast
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
Ep 8. Partition
1947. A vote is due to take place at the UN, proposing that Palestine be divided into two states, with Jerusalem held under international jurisdiction. But this does not meet with everyone’s approval. The drama continues.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani
Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul
Other parts: Jessica Turner, Steve Waters and Sargon Yelda
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
Ep 7. The Warning
Episode seven of the drama. 1946. Elected headman of Deir Yassin Youssef promises peace with their kibbutz neighbours. Meanwhile, a bomb has been placed in British headquarters - the King David Hotel.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Menachim Begin: Daniel Rabin
Other parts: Hasan Dixon and Clive Hayward
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
Ep 6. The Death Ships
1942. Thousands of European Jews attempt to flee persecution from war in unsuitable boats - but the British refuse permission for them to land in Palestine. Meanwhile, Miriam takes up the armed struggle in earnest. Episode six of the drama.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani
Menachim Begin: Daniel Rabin
Other parts: Heather Craney and Hasan Dixon
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
Ep 5. The Revolt
1936. Arabs declare a general strike and a dangerous armed uprising begins, while Miriam finds herself drawn to take more direct action against the British. The epic drama continues.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Mahmoud: Daniel Rabin
McMasters: Neil McCaul
Other parts played by Sargon Yelda, Hasan Dixon and members of the cast
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service