Polly Thomas will be directing our first commission for Radio 4 through Dramalab, a new play by Dan Rebellato, which has been further developed in a workshop with actors Cathy Naden, David Annen, Andy Williams and Fenella Woolgar. A drama sequenced, layered and intercut with scenes of people parting, that bleed into each other through experimental sound design. The play is ultimately an affirmation of survival and the undimmed need we have for each other. Glimpsed in extremis, it's a play about the persistence of love.

We've just run our very first dramalab (thanks to BBC Audio & Music's indie development fund) and it was brilliant! All the writers said so. And they were: Alex Bulmer, Dan Rebellato, Tajinder Hayer, Shai Hussain, Inua Ellams, Katie Hims, Matthew Dunster and Charlotte Keatley. We set up a weekend to explore ways in which sound can be used more creatively in radio drama. The weekend featured guest speakers features producer Piers Plowright, sound engineer Al McGregor, Fremantle VP David Belshwaw and Radio 4 commissioner Jeremy Howe. We all shared favourite clips, worked up some great ideas and sent everyone out with field recorders - which was the bit everyone most enjoyed. Watch this space for further developments...