Nell Leyshon’s play, The Colour of Milk, adapted from her novel, was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2013
Set in 1830. A farmer’s young daughter is asked to care for the vicar’s sick wife, and live in. The invalid gradually deteriorates and dies, but the girl is kept on. The vicar starts to teach her how to read and write. But there is a dark side to the drama; to paraphrase Jane Anderson in Radio Times: She’s direct and outspoken and bold, but the vicar seems to enjoy her frankness………….he pleasures in her company too much. He makes excuses to keep her in his service and takes her new duties to an unpleasant new level.
The cast included Carly Bawden, Peter Hamilton Dyer and Jonathan Keeble; the producer was Susan Roberts.