John Fowles: The Collector, The Magus & The French Lieutenant’s Woman: Three BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

Full-cast dramatisations of John Fowles' three best-known novels, with star casts

John Fowles won international acclaim for his innovative, allusive novels The Collector, The Magus and The French Lieutenant's Woman. All were critical and commercial successes, translated into several languages and adapted as feature films. This collection brings together the BBC Radio adaptations of these three modern classics, with stellar casts including Judi Dench, Charles Dance and John Hurt.

The Collector - When a lonely, obsessional office clerk wins a fortune on the football pools, he turns from collecting butterflies to 'collecting' a beautiful art student... This dark, disturbing dramatisation stars Judi Dench and Nigel Anthony.

The Magus - Disillusioned young graduate Nick Urfe accepts a teaching post on an idyllic Greek island. There, he meets the mysterious Maurice Conchis, and becomes embroiled in a world of bizarre encounters and psychological tricks. As reality and illusion intertwine, what strange game is Conchis playing with Nick? Tom Burke, Charles Dance and Hayley Atwell star in this eerie, Lynchian drama.

The French Lieutenant's Woman - Lyme Regis, 1867. Gentleman naturalist Charles Smithson is engaged to be married to the respectable Ernestina - but when he falls in love with notorious social outcast Sarah Woodruff, his complacent snobbery is shattered. Narrated by John Hurt, this multi-layered tale of forbidden passions in Victorian Dorset stars Jonathan Firth and Emily Bruni.

Text copyright © John Fowles 1963 (The Collector), 1966, 1977 (The Magus), 1969 (The French Lieutenant's Woman)

The Collector Miranda - Judi Dench Clegg - Nigel Anthony Other parts played by Douglas Blackwell, Martin Friend, Jane Knowles and John Rowe Adapted by David Parker Produced by Richard Wortley First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 July 1972

The Magus Nick - Tom Burke Conchis - Charles Dance Lily - Hayley Atwell Alison - Anna Skellern Margaret - Josie Taylor Mitford - David Seddon Meli - Chris Pavlo Rowena - Lynsey-Anne Moffat Anton - Maarten Dannenberg German Colonel - Bodo Friesecke Greek resistance fighter/Ticket seller - Andreas Karras Lily de Seitas - Beth Goddard Kemp - Rachel Atkins Briggs - Michael Shelford Mrs Marks - Elaine Claxton Benji - Rudi Goodman Adapted by Adrian Hodges Produced and directed by Heather Larmour Harpsichordist: Maggie Cole Recorder player: Martin Feinstein First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 March-3 April 2016

The French Lieutenant's Woman Narrator - John Hurt Charles - Jonathan Firth Sarah - Emily Bruni Ernestina - Kelly Reilly Mrs Tranter - Elizabeth Spriggs Dr Grogan - TP McKenna Mrs Poulteney/Mrs Endicott - Susan Jameson Sam - Nick Sayce Mary - Ella Smith Dairyman/Mr Freeman - Gerard McDermott Mrs Fairley/Mrs Rogers - Colleen Prendergast Ostler/Montague - Wayne Foskett Prostitute - Sophie Roberts Curate - John Cummins Dramatised by Graham White Produced by Peter Kavanagh First broadcast BBC World Service, 23-30 September 2006

© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

© 2022 BBC Digital Audio (Lydbog): 9781529128260

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Lydbog: 20. januar 2022