Written by Elizabeth Gaskell and Adapted by Philip Watts

Elizabeth Gaskell’s short story about motherhood and loss is brought to life in this dramatic new reading. The tale was first published a year before Mary Barton but explores similar themes which were to appear frequently in her later novels: the bond between mothers and their children, grief, mutual support and attitudes towards marriage – all set against Elizabeth’s much loved Manchester backdrop. Sit back and enjoy a live reading of the story with Philip Watts, Lesley Burn and Pauline Eyre followed by a short discussion.