A BBC Radio adaptation by Alan Plater of Gwyn Thomas’ novel of early industrialism in 19th century Wales.

Alan Hugh Leigh, a traveling harpist, arrives in the industrial town of Moonlea in search of his friend John Simon Adams. However, upon his arrival, he is quickly warned against Adams, who has become a populist leader among the ironworkers who are involved in a bitter industrial conflict with the foundry’s upper class management. When it looks like the iron furnaces will be closed down, Leigh tries to persuade Adams to leave Moonlea, but to no avail. The unrest leads to a workers’ uprising, and in the wake of its failure Leigh and Adams both find themselves on trial for murder.