In 1843, the Alcott family spent about nine months on a farm in central Massachusetts, a utopian experiment they called Fruitlands. The failure of this project marked a turning point in their lives as a family.

Louisa May Alcott memorialized this experience in a short story called "Transcendental Wild Oats," which was originally published in the New York newspaper The Independent in 1873. The short story was heavily satirical and, though fictionalized, was clearly based on the events of her life.

Edward Rowett, a writer based in Oxford, England has adapted "Transcendental Wild Oats" into an audio drama for BBC Radio 4, released this week. His play, which imagines Louisa May Alcott's early drafts of the story, is a recounting of the events of Fruitlands from the perspective of Louisa herself.

Edward Rowett takes us behind-the-scenes to discuss how the play was researched, written and recorded. We hear about the workings of a professional radio production, and how Rowett brought the Alcotts to life through his story.

To get the most from this episode, we recommend you either reread Transcendental Wild Oats, which is widely available in the public domain, or listen to Rowett’s audio drama, which is available to listeners in the UK on bbc.com. Listeners outside the UK should reach out to letgeniusburn@gmail.com for listening options.

Credits for Transcendental Wild Oats:

Dramatised by Edward Rowett
Original Story by Louisa May Alcott
Directed by Gordon Kennedy and Edward Rowett

Cast:
Louisa May Alcott and Louy Alcott - Louisa Harland
Bronson Alcott - Alistair Petrie
Abigail Alcott - Rebekah Staton
Charles Lane - Mathew Baynton

Christopher Godwin as Joseph Palmer
Tom Moores as Samuel Bower
Edward Rowett as Abraham Wood
Patricia Rodriguez as Ann Page
Jason Barnett as Ralph Waldo Emerson
Victoria Rigby as Anna Alcott

Production Manager - Sarah Tombling
Studio Engineer, Sound Design and Editing - Wilfredo Acosta
Produced by Gordon Kennedy
Recorded at The Soundhouse Studios, London

An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4