Rachel’s debut radio drama to be broadcast this weekend

A University of Northampton graduate will see two years’ of hard work pay off when her debut radio drama hits the airwaves this weekend.

A Life Unknown has been a labour of love for Creative Writing graduate, Rachel Schouten, who wrote and directed the three-part audio drama.

Episode one is due to air on NLive Radio on Sunday 25 April, on the County Culture Show, between 8pm and 10pm.

Produced during lockdown, A Life Unknown features performances from lecturers and UON alumni, plus a number of professional and non-professional actors based in and around Northampton.

“After two years of hard work and persistence, I’m thrilled to finally see this project come together and to have it broadcast on the radio,” said Rachel, who graduated in 2018.

“It’s one thing to see your words on the page brought to life by a fantastic range of actors, but for it to be played out on the radio is another high altogether.

“We’re so fortunate to have a hub of high calibre and accessible creatives in Northampton, and it’s been a real privilege to be able to contribute to it myself as a writer, and to have worked alongside everyone who was involved on this project.”

Longlisted for the BBC Writers Academy last year, A Life Unknown is a bittersweet tale about identity, grief and betrayal, and how they ripple through three generations of one family.

Each of the three stories revolves around the secrets that unfurl after the unexpected death of the family’s matriarch, during which we learn how each woman’s story affects the others, and how the consequences of their choices change the lives of everyone around them, for good and bad.

After being broadcast on NLive, the drama will be available to listen to as a podcast across various platforms.

For more details visit the Telling Stories website.