Gripping full-cast radio dramatisations of four of Charles Dickens' classic masterpieces
Charles Dickens is one of the most renowned novelists of all time, and this final volume of the dramatised canon of his work includes some of his most complex and compelling novels.
A Tale of Two Cities
Set during the French Revolution, this radio retelling of Dickens’ powerful story of love, cruelty, violence and redemptionwon the 2012 Bronze Sony Award for Best Drama.
Great Expectations
This classic tale explores the turbulent childhood of orphan Pip, his quest to find his true identity, and his growth to maturity through misfortune and misery.
Our Mutual Friend
Charles Dickens' last complete novel is a sweeping satire of wealth and corruption, centred around London’s great river Thames.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
In Dickens’ unfinished masterpiece, the arrival in Cloisterham of Neville and Helena Landless, twins from Ceylon, sets in motion a chain of events which leads to murder.
With a star-studded cast including Robert Lindsay, Douglas Hodge, Geraldine McEwan, Amanda Redman, Alex Jennings and Ian Holm, these BBC radio adaptations are rich in drama, romance, suspense and tragedy.
Cast and credits
Written by Charles Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens..................................................................Robert Lindsay
Jarvis Lorry..................................................................Jonathan Coy
Miss Pross..................................................................Alison Steadman
Lucie Manette..................................................................Lydia Wilson
Dr Alexandre Manette..................................................................Karl Johnson
Charles Darnay..................................................................Andrew Scott
Sydney Carton..................................................................Paul Ready
Ernest Defarge..................................................................James Lailey
Theresa Defarge..................................................................Tracy Wiles
Gaspard/Stryver..................................................................Simon Bubb
Jerry Cruncher..................................................................Carl Prekopp
Joe..................................................................Rikki Lawton
Marquis St Evremonde..................................................................Clive Merrison
Barsad..................................................................Gerard McDermott
Other parts played by Adam Billington, Christopher Webster, Adjoa Andoh, Daniel Cooper, Paul Moriarty, Alex Rivers
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole and Jeremy Mortimer
Dramatised by Mike Walker
Music by Lennert Busch
Sound production by Anne Bunting
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26- 30 December 2011
Great Expectations
Pip..................................................................Douglas Hodge
Miss Havisham..................................................................Geraldine McEwan
Estella..................................................................Amanda Redman
Joe Gardgery..................................................................Jim Carter
Mrs Joe..................................................................Maggie Steed
Jaggers..................................................................John Shrapnel
Wemmick..................................................................Timothy Bateson
Herbert Pocket..................................................................James Simmons
Magwitch..................................................................Robert Lang
Uncle Pumblechook..................................................................Norman Jones
Aged Parent..................................................................Michael Turner
Biddy..................................................................Emma Gregory
Bentley Drummle..................................................................Alan Barker
Orlick..................................................................Brian Hewlett
Other parts played by Fraser Kerr, Gary King, Mark Straker, Norman Jones, Polly Maberley, Terence Edmond, Timothy Carlton, Elizabeth Kelly, Henry Power, Jenny Howe, Auriol Smith, Brett Usher, James Greene, James Simmons, Joanna Myers, Timothy Alcock, Nigel Carrington, Ronald Herdman, Jane Whittenshaw, Stephen Garlick
Directed by Sally Avens
Dramatised by Ray Jenkins
Music by Malcolm Clarke
First broadcast BBC Radio 5 Live, 6 October-22 December 1991
Our Mutual Friend
Charles Dickens..................................................................Alex Jennings
Bella Wilfer..................................................................Daisy Haggard
Lizzie Hexam..................................................................Lizzy Watts
John Rokesmith..................................................................Carl Prekopp
Eugene Wrayburn..................................................................Patrick Kennedy
Mortimer Lightwood..................................................................Matt Addis
Nicodemus Boffin..................................................................Jason Watkins
Mrs Boffin..................................................................Pauline Quirke
Pa Wilfer..................................................................Philip Fox
Ma Wilfer..................................................................Annabelle Dowler
Charlie Hexam..................................................................Adam Arnold
Gaffer Hexam..................................................................Malcolm Tierney
Silas Wegg..................................................................Lee Ross
Aenus Venus..................................................................Stephen Hogan
Rogue Riderhood..................................................................Jamie Foreman
Other parts played by Paul Rider, Janice Acquah, Lynn Farleigh, Benjamin Askew, Neil Stuke, Nicola Miles-Wildin, Jonathan Tafler
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole and Jeremy Mortimer
Dramatised by Mike Walker
Music by Roger Goula
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 November-4 December 2009
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
John Jasper..................................................................Ian Holm
Edwin Drood..................................................................Mark Payton
The Reverend Crisparkle..................................................................Gareth Thomas
Neville Landless..................................................................Simon Treves
Helena Landless..................................................................Helena Breck
Deputy..................................................................Susan Sheridan
Princess Puffer..................................................................Mary Wimbush
Miss Twinkleton..................................................................Margaret Courtenay
Rosa Bud..................................................................Moir Leslie
Grewgious..................................................................John Gabriel
Bazzard..................................................................John Samson
Durdles..................................................................Gordon Gostelow
Jeweller..................................................................John Moffatt
Joe..................................................................David Goudge
Other parts played by Timothy Bateson, Anna Cropper, Marcia King, Michael Cochrane, Vincent Brimble, Timothy Alcock, Margot Boyd, David King, Burt Kwouk, Noriko Aida, Madeline Smith, Hilda Kriseman, Jo Kendall, Anne Jameson, Michael Graham Cox
Directed by Gordon House
Concluded by Leon Garfield
Dramatised by David Buck
Pianist: Nicholas Kok
First broadcast BBC Radio 4/BBC World Service 2-30 March 1990
Duration: 21 hours 40 minutes approx.
Read by: Alison Steadman, Amanda Redman, Andrew Scott, Douglas Hodge, Geraldine McEwan, Ian Holm, Maggie Steed, Robert Lindsay, Tom Wilkinson
