Elizabeth Gaskell: A BBC Radio Drama Collection
from archive.org
A collection of BBC Radio productions of Elizabeth Gaskell's well loved stories.
Elizabeth Gaskell was one of Victorian England's pre-eminent female novelists. Admired by Charles Dickens, who described her as his 'dear Scheherazade', she mingled storytelling and social realism to superb effect in her highly acclaimed fiction.
This collection includes dramatisations and readings of her finest works as well as some lesser-known pieces. Among the adaptations are her final, unfinished novel Wives and Daughters, her debut novel Mary Barton and her only historical novel, Sylvia's Lovers; as well as the 1851 novella Mr Harrison's Confession (a prequel to Cranford), and her great novel of industrialisation, female independence and identity, North and South.
The dramas feature all-star casts including Emerald O'Hanrahan, Sue Johnston, Jodie Comer, Emily Mortimer, Rod Hudd, David Threlfall and Julian Rhind-Tutt.
Also included are readings of Mrs Gaskell's chilling supernatural tale 'The Old Nurse's Story', her much-loved novel of life in a small town and its female inhabitants, Cranford and her festive short story 'Christmas Storms and Sunshine'.
As a bonus, the collection ends with Stephen Wakelam's detective drama Death at the Bed End. Based on true events, the play stars Kenneth Cranham, and explores the controversy surrounding Elizabeth Gaskell's biography of Charlotte Bront? and the libel threat that followed its publication.
Mary Barton
In 1840s Manchester, John Barton is a questioner of the distribution of wealth and the relations between rich and poor. When his wife dies, Barton is left to raise his daughter, Mary, alone and begins to involve himself in the Chartist, trade-union movement.
John Barton .... David Calder
Mary Barton .... Emma Rydal
Mrs Barton .... Lynne Verrall
George Wilson .... Paul Copley
Mrs Wilson .... Natasha Pyne
Jem .... Ian Dunn
Mrs Needham .... Kate Rutter
Doctor .... Sean Baker
Margaret .... Teresa Gallagher
Job Leigh .... Roy Hudd
Alice .... Marlene Sidaway
Amy .... Janice Acquah
Henry .... Justin Butcher
Written by Elizabeth Gaskell
Dramatised by Lavinia Murray
Produced and directed by Claire Grove and Tracey Neale
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2001
Mr Harrison's Confession
A young surgeon arriving at the village of Duncombe discovers that his female patients seem to require a singular remedy. Elizabeth Gaskell's 1851 novella is notable for being a prequel to her novel Cranford.
Mr Harrison .... Marston Bloom
Jemima Bullock .... Colleen Prendergast
Mr Bullock .... David Timson
Miss Tomkinson .... Gillian Bevan
Caroline Tomkinson .... Rebecca Front
Miss Horsman .... Jane Booker
Mrs Bullock .... Christine Kavanagh
Sophy Hutton .... Alison Pettitt
Mr Morgan .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Jack Marshland/John Brouncker .... Stephen Critchlow
Mrs Rose .... Sophie Thompson
Written by Elizabeth Gaskell
Dramatised by Jeremy Front.
Produced and directed by Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998
The Old Nurse's Story
In a house in the middle of the country, strange noises are heard in the dead of night. The house hides a terrible secret.
Written by Elizabeth Gaskell
Read by Valerie Windsor
Produced by Kay Patrick.
First broadcast BBC Radio 4 in May 1984
North and South
Margaret Hale and her family are forced to move north to the industrial mill town of Milton, an upheaval that brings the awakening of her social conscience. When a strike threatens the town, Margaret finds herself pitted in passionate opposition to the values of local mill owner John Thornton, one of her family's few acquaintances in their new home. Gaskell's novel still resonates today in its portrayal of the north-south divide and its themes of class, gender and social responsibility.
Margaret Hale .... Emily Mortimer
John Thornton .... David Threlfall
Rev Hale .... Russell Dixon
Mrs Thornton .... Sue Johnstone
Nicholas Higgins .... John McArdle
With Julian Rhind-Tutt
Written by Elizabeth Gaskell
Dramatised by Charlotte Keatley.
Directed by Michael Fox.
First broadcast BBC Radio 4 in June 1997
The Squire's Story
It's 1849 and Mr Higgins appears every inch the perfect jovial gentleman. But his strange manners - not to mention a tendency to disappear - suggest a less ordinary source for his comfortable lifestyle.
Mrs Gaskell ...... Elizabeth Spriggs
Miss Pratt ...... Angela Thorne
Higgins ...... Michael Lumsden
Squire Hearn ...... Peter Jeffrey
Sir Harry ...... Michael Tudor Barnes
With Andrew Harrison, Simon Carter, Brett Usher, Jonathan Wyatt and Nick Aikens.
Dramatised by Sally Hedges
Produced by Nigel Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998
The Crooked Branch
Farmers Nathan and Hester Huntroyd shower love and money on their handsome son Benjamin. But he has ambitions above their humble station, and the result is unexpected to say the least...
Mrs Gaskell .... Elizabeth Spriggs
Nathan .... Peter Meakin
Hester .... Mary Randle
Bessy .... Kathryn Hunt
Benjamin .... Crispin Bonham-Carter
With David Holt, Richard Mitchley and Brett Usher.
Dramatised by Sally Hedges
Produced by Nigel Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998
The Poor Clare
1727: Investigating the heir to a substantial fortune, a young lawyer is drawn towards a young woman haunted by a mother's curse - and apparently possessed by a strange, dark force...
Mrs Gaskell ...... Elizabeth Spriggs
Philip ...... Kim Wall
Bridget ...... Janet Dale
Lucy ...... Kathryn Hunt
Bernard ...... William Simons
With Mary Wimbush, Christopher Scott, Sandra Berkin, Martin Head and Nick Aikens.
Dramatised by Sally Hedges
Produced by Nigel Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998
Lois the Witch
Newly arrived in Salem, Massachusetts, a Warwickshire girl finds herself drawn into a Puritan family's world of visions, malice and - apparently - demonic possession...
Mrs Gaskell ...... Elizabeth Spriggs
Lois ...... Carolyn Backhouse
Grace ...... Sandra Berkin
Prudence ...... Amy Draper
With Heather Emmanuel, Susan Jeffrey, Richard Avery, Jonathan Wyatt, Andrew Harrison, Stephen Tomlin and Anna Keene.
Dramatised by Sally Hedges
Produced by Nigel Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998
The Grey Woman
A miller's daughter marries a nobleman. But this is no fairy tale. It's the beginning of a terrifying adventure...
Mrs Gaskell ...... Elizabeth Spriggs
Anna ...... Stella Gonet
Amante ...... Adjoa Andoh
Tourelle ...... Struan Rodger
With Duncan Law, Richard Avery, Mary Wimbush, Andrew Harrison and Graham Colclough.
Dramatised by Sally Hedges
Produced by Nigel Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998
Sylvia's Lovers
Set in 1790s Yorkshire - the time of the Napoleonic wars, the story takes place in Monkshaven (ie.Whitby). Sylvia Dobson's cousin, Philip, lives for her, he loves her totally but Sylvia is in love with seafaring whaler, Charlie Kinraid. The Press Gangs are always lurking when the whale boats return from Greenland with their cargo. They intercept the boats, seize the men and press them into service with the Royal Navy to fight the French.
Elizabeth Gaskell ...... Barbara Flynn
Sylvia ...... Jodie Comer
Philip ...... Graeme Hawley
Charlie Kinraid ...... Chris Connel
Bell ...... Siobhan Finneran
Daniel ..... Paul Copley
Kester/Donkin ...... Jonathan Keeble
Molly ...... Nichola Burley
Mrs. Corney ....... Olwen May
Written by Elizabeth Gaskell
Dramatised by Ellen Dryden.
Produced and directed by Pauline Harris
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016
Wives and Daughters
It's an exciting day for young Molly Gibson as she prepares for her first visit to the Hollingford gala. But her experience there gives her widowed father Dr Gibson a new idea. He realises his daughter has become a young woman...
Lily Gaskell . . . . . Deborah McAndrew
Molly Gibson . . . . . Emerald O'Hanrahan
Dr Gibson . . . . . Jamie Newall
Roger Hamley . . . . . Gunnar Cauthery
Cynthia . . . . . Maya Barcot
Hyacinth . . . . . Julia Hills
Lady Harriett . . . . . Cathy Sara
Dorothy Browning . . . . . Marian Kemmer
Phoebe Browning . . . . . Susan Jeffrey
Mr Preston . . . . . Timothy Watson
Written by Elizabeth Gaskell
Dramatised by Theresa Heskins.
Produced and directed by Peter Leslie Wild
First broadcast BBC Radio 4 in November 2010
Cranford
Written by Elizabeth Gaskell
Read by Carolyn Pickles
Produced by Julian Wilkinson.
First broadcast BBC Radio 4 in January 2019
Christmas Storms and Sunshine
A Christmas story in which warring neighbours make peace after one wife saves the life of the other's baby.
Written by Elizabeth Gaskell
Read by Carolyn Pickles
Produced by Simon Richardson.
First broadcast BBC Radio 4 in December 2018
Death at the Bed End
Publication of a biography of Charlotte Bronte sparks the threat of libel suit. So a detective heads to Yorkshire to discover more. Steve Wakelam's drama is based on true events.
Sergeant Jack Down ..... Kenneth Cranham
Patrick Bronte ..... James Greene
Mr Nicholls ..... Stephen Hogan
Harry ..... Declan Wilson
Betty ..... Shirley Dixon
Dr Crosby ..... Geoffrey Whitehead
Martha ..... Helen Longworth
Sugden ..... Steve Hodson
Grundy ..... Philip Fox
Written by Stephen Wakelam
Directed by Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004
- Mary Barton (250Mb)
- Mr Harrison’s Confession (52.5Mb)
- The Old Nurse’s Story (34.7Mb)
- North and South (157.2Mb)
- The Squire's Story (40.8Mb)
- The Crooked Branch (40.1Mb)
- The Poor Clare (40.4Mb)
- Lois the Witch (39.9Mb)
- The Grey Woman (40.6Mb)
- Sylvia’s Lovers (104.3Mb)
- Wives and Daughters (124.3Mb)
- Cranford (416.6Mb)
- Christmas Storms and Sunshine (24.1Mb)
- Death at the Bed End (52.5Mb)
MP3 files hosted by archive.org.