Rumer Godden: Black Narcissus, The Greengage Summer & The Dark Horse: Three Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations

Full-cast radio adaptations of three of Rumer Godden's bestselling novels, plus a bonus interview with the author

Rumer Godden is well known for her acclaimed novels for adults and children. She wrote over 60 works in her lifetime, nine of which were made into films. Included here are dramatisations of three of her classic tales, as well as a fascinating interview with the renowned author.

Black Narcissus - A group of nuns establishing a remote mission in an old palace in the Himalayas is warned that it is no place for a nunnery. And as the Sisters' tragic destiny unfolds, those prophetic words are soon proved right. Sinead Cusack and Lesley Sharp star in this atmospheric dramatisation of Godden's 1939 novel, famously adapted as an Oscar-winning film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.

The Greengage Summer - When their mother falls ill during a holiday to France, the Grey children are left to entertain themselves. Over the course of the long, hot summer, they are caught up in an adult world of deception and lies... Starring Ellie Beaven, Abigail Docherty and Michael Maloney.

The Dark Horse - Set in Calcutta in 1933, this is the story of a thoroughbred racehorse, a jockey seeking a second chance, a shrewd Mother Superior and a miracle - all based on true events. Geoffrey Whitehead, Indira Varma, Dearbhla Molloy and Ioan Meredith star in this heartwarming drama.

Third Ear - Recorded in 1992, this illuminating Radio 3 interview sees the octogenarian Rumer Godden talking to Geoffrey Baskerville about how her life and beliefs are reflected in her writing.

Text copyright © The Rumer Godden Literary Trust 1939 (Black Narcissus), 1958 (The Greengage Summer), 1981 (The Dark Horse)

Black Narcissus Sister Clodagh - Sinead Cusack Sister Ruth - Lesley Sharp Mr Dean - David Rintoul Dilip Rai - Ronny Jhutti Sister Briony - Susan Engel Sister Philippa - Jenny Lee Sister Honey - Rachel Atkins The General/Father Roberts - Sam Dastor Ayah - Indira Joshi Mother Dorothea/Sister Adela - Carolyn Jones Con - Alastair Danson Kanchi - Sumitra Bhagat Joseph Anthony - Dhiraj Prasai Dramatised by April de Angelis Music by Elizabeth Parker Directed by Sally Avens First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 December 1997

The Greengage Summer Cecile - Ellie Beaven Joss - Abigail Docherty Hester - Ciara Janson Eliot - Michael Maloney With Luke Newbury, Claire Marchionne, Rachel Atkins, Theo Fraser Steele, Sean Baker, Jenny Lee, Brian Parr and Chris Wright Dramatised by Dawn Lowe Watson Directed by Sally Avens First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 May 1988

The Dark Horse Sister Morag - Dearbhla Molloy Levantine - Nickolas Grace Ted - Ioan Meredith John Quillan - Gareth Armstrong With Geoffrey Whitehead, Indira Varma, Siobhan Stamp, Frances Jeater, Nitin Chandra Ganatra, Richard Rees and David Antrobus Dramatised by Liane Aukin Directed by David Hunter First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5 September 1988

Third Ear Presented by Geoffrey Baskerville With Rumer Godden Produced by Vivien Devlin First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 12 May 1992

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Lydbog: 16. november 2023