BBC Radio 4 adaptations of George Meredith’s classic tragicomic novel and his picaresque romantic comedy
Novelist and poet George Meredith is widely regarded as the last great Victorian author. He influenced writers including Thomas Hardy, Robert Louis Stevenson and Henry James, and was nominated for the Nobel Prize seven times. This BBC collection features dramatisations of his most famous novel, The Egoist, and his witty bildungsroman The Adventures of Harry Richmond.
The Egoist – Self-absorbed aristocrat Sir Willoughby Patterne wants a wife – and naturally assumes that whoever he chooses will want him. But when his chosen fiancée, Constantia, elopes, he is forced to look for another potential bride. Torn between the sentimental Laetitia and the strong-willed Clara, he finally pins one down to an engagement – only to find that she, too, has doubts… James Wilby stars as Sir Willoughby, with Keeley Hawes as Clara, in this satirical look at the Victorian marriage market.
The Adventures of Harry Richmond – On a cold morning in February 1846, Richmond Roy arrives at Riversley Grange to claim his infant son, Harry, from the child’s grandfather, Squire Beltham. It is the beginning of a journey of self-discovery for the young boy, as he is rescued and abandoned by his charismatic father, escapes from a London boarding school, embarks on a Grand Tour of Europe and succumbs to the charms of a German princess… This lively coming-of-age tale stars James Aubrey, Anthony Newlands, Sebastian Shaw, Gina Bellman, Joanna David and Maev Alexander.
First published 1871 (The Adventures of Harry Richmond), 1879 (The Egoist)
Production credits
Written by George Meredith
The Egoist
Sir Willoughby – James Wilby
Clara Middleton – Keeley Hawes
Mrs Mountstuart-Jenkinson – Hannah Gordon
Laetitia Dale – Nickie Rainsford
Vernon Witford – Simon Ludders
Horace de Craye – Robert Patterson
Dr Middleton – Bill Wallis
Crossjay – Leo Brightmore
Lady Busshe – Lawmary Champion
Lady Culmer – Christine Pritchard
Constantia – Anna North
Dr Corney – Giles Thomas
Lady Patterne – June Barrie
Mr Dale – Paul Nicholson
Crossjay – Leo Brightmore
Dramatised by Jane Dauncey
Directed by Alison Hindell
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 April-3 May 1998
The Adventures of Harry Richmond
Harry Richmond – James Aubrey
Sewis – Brian Carroll
Richmond Roy – Anthony Newlands
Squire Beltham – Sebastian Shaw
Harry, as a boy – Howard Taylor
Aunt Dorothy – Gwen Watford
Janet, as a girl – Katherines Hughes
Temple, as a boy – David Wilson
Flo – Jacqui Burin
Amy – Jo Manning Wilson
Joe Double – Ronald Baddiley
Capt Welsh – Haydn Jones
Clara Goodwin – Roberta Symes
Colonel Goodwin – :Garard Green
Ottilia, as a girl – Gina Bellman
The Margravine von Rippau – Brenda Bruce
Burgomeister – Milo Sperber
Miss Sibley/Frau von Dittmarsch – Elaine Mitchell
Princess Ottilia – Joanna David
Mrs Waddy – Margot Boyd
Captain de Witt – Michael Deacon
Lady Wilts – Petra Davies
Anna Penrhys – Liza Flanagan
Janet Ilchester – :Maev Alexander
Mr Burgin – James Thomason
Mr Peterborough – Jonathan Scott
Baroness Turckems – Hilda Kriseman
Prince Ernest – George Pravda
Professor von Karsteg – Steve Plytas
Prince Otto – Philip Sully
Lieschen – Tammy Ustinov
Countess Czezedy – Eva Stuart
Kiomi/Lady Sampleman – Josie Kidd
Augustus Temple – John Bull
Marquis of Edbury – David McAlister
Yachtsman – Gregory de Polnay
Adapted by D.G. Bridson
Directed by John Cardy
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 June-15 July 1979
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
- ISBN10 1529949017
- ISBN13 9781529949018
- Publish Date 9 January 2025
- Publish Status Forthcoming
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher BBC Audio, A Division Of Random House
- Imprint BBC Digital Audio
- Format Audiobook (WAV)
- Duration 8 hours and 6 minutes
- Language English