Fyodor Dostoevsky: BBC Radio Drama Collection
from archive.org
One of the most important and influential Russian writers of the 19th Century, Fyodor Dostoevsky is admired worldwide for his great realist novels, which explore questions of morality, philosophy and the nature of existence. This compilation contains BBC Radio productions of his five most famous novels.
Crime and Punishment
In Dostoyevsky's tale of guilt and redemption, young poverty stricken Raskolnikov puts a horrific theory to the test and commits murder. Racked with guilt, Raskolnikov finds himself pursued by the cunning investigator, Porfiry Petrovich. But as Petrovich closes in, a desperate Raskolnikov finds an unexpected source of hope.
Rodya Raskolnikov .... Barnaby Kay
Marmelodov .... Robert Lang
Sonia .... Poppy Miller
Luzhin .... Anton Lesser
Alyona Ivanovna .... Paula Jacobs
Porfiry Petrovich .... Jim Norton
Dunia .... Penny Layden
Dmitri .... Oliver Milburn
Mrs.Raskolnikova .... Penny Downie
Paulenka .... Sophie Ward
Police Sergeant .... Jonathan Keeble
Nastasia .... Deborah Berlin
Zamyotov; Polish man .... Jonathan Tafler
Policeman .... Ian Brooker
Katarina .... Frances Jeater
Amalia .... Rachel Atkins
Captain Koch .... John Rogan
Dramatized by Mike Walker
Directed by John Taylor
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2000
The Idiot
Arriving back in Russia after years spent abroad trying to treat his epilepsy, Prince Mishkin learns the story of the woman who will dominate his life - the spoilt but captivating Nastasya. Aglaya meets Nastasya to talk over their feelings for the Prince. Although emotionally involved with Rogozhin, Nastasya is determined to marry the Prince which is heartbreaking news for Aglaya who really loves him. The Prince's health is on a knife-edge, and he begins to fear for his life.
Paul Rhys .... Prince Myshkin
Roger Allam .... Rogazhin
Alex Jennings .... Ganya
Lia Williams .... Nastasya
David Swift .... General Yepanchin
Gerard McDermott .... Lebedev
Paula Jacobs .... Mrs Yepanchin
Tracy-Ann Oberman .... Aglaya
Carl Prekopp .... Kolya
Jemma Churchill .... Varya
Martin Hyder .... Footman
Dramatised by Melissa Murray.
Directed by Carl Prekopp
Producer: Cherry Cookson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2002.
Devils
Revolution and betrayal lie at the heart of this unsettling tale, an allegory of the potentially catastrophic consequences of the political and moral nihilism that were becoming prevalent in Russia in the 1860s. A town descends into chaos as idealism curdles into murderous anarchy and it becomes the focal point of an attempted revolution, orchestrated by master conspirator Pyotr Verkhovensky.
Nicholai ..... Joseph Arkley
Stepan ..... Gary Lilburn
Mrs Stavrogina ..... Jane Whittenshaw
Nicholai ..... Joseph Arkley
Pyotr ..... Jonathan Forbes
Darya ..... Charlotte East
Virginsky ..... Ian Dunnett Jr
Krillov ..... Hasan Dixon
Marie ..... Emma Handy
Shatov ..... Stefan Adegbola
Lisa ..... Cecilia Appiah
Marya ..... Georgia Henshaw
Written by Melissa Murray
Directed by Carl Prekopp
Produced by Marc Beeby and Anne Isger
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2021
The Brothers Karamazov
Russia, 1880: The Karamazovs are reunited for a meeting with their father to discuss Dmitry's inheritance. While Alyosha attends the bedside of the dying Elder, relations between Dmitry and his father become ever more dangerous. But the unpredictable Fyodor Karamazov does not look as if he's going to play the game...
Fyodor Karamazov ...... Roy Marsden
Dmitry ...... Paul Hilton
Ivan ...... Nicholas Boulton
Alyosha ...... Carl Prekopp
The Elder ...... Sam Dale
Mrs Khoklakova ...... Rachel Atkins
Lise ...... Emma Noakes
Katerina ...... Juliet Aubrey
Grushenka ...... Katy Cavanagh
Smerdyakov ...... Joseph Kloska
Grigory ...... Desmond McNamara
The Monk ...... Paul Richard Biggin
Katerina's Servant ...... Miranda Keeling
Original music by David Pickvance.
Dramatised in five parts by Melissa Murray.
Directors: Marc Beeby and Colin Guthrie
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2006.
The Friend of the Family
Russia, 1859: The Manor of Stephanchikovo has been thrown into chaos by the activities of a former sergeant who's set himself up as an arbiter of morals and taste. When he interferes in the marriage plans of the family, the whole situation explodes.
Colonel ...... David Suchet
Madame La Generale ...... Margot Boyd
Sashenka ...... Kathryn Hurlbutt
Sergei ...... John Webb
Foma Fomich ...... Clive Merrison
Natasha ...... Helena Breck
Falaley ...... Graham Blockey
Yezhevikin ...... Alan Dudley
Tatyana Ivanovn ...... Maggie McCarthy
Bahcheyev ...... Bernard Brown
Miss Perepelitsyn ...... Eva Stuart
Mizinchikov ...... Colin Starkey
Obnoskin ...... Gary Cady
Gavrila ...... Lockwood West
Servant ...... Alan Thompson
Dramatised by David Blum
Directed by Martin Jenkins.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1984.
- Crime and Punishment (156.2Mb)
- The Idiot (207.8Mb)
- Devils (154.3Mb)
- The Brothers Karamazov (259.7Mb)
- The Friend of the Family (82Mb)
MP3 files hosted by archive.org.