The L-Shaped Room, Backward Shadow & other stories: A BBC Radio 4 drama collection

A full-cast adaptation of Lynne Reid Banks' bestselling novel, plus sequel The Backward Shadow and more

Award-winning author Lynne Reid Banks is perhaps best known for her classic children's book The Indian in the Cupboard. But it was her groundbreaking debut novel for adults, The L-Shaped Room, that made her name. First published in 1960, it was an instant success, and has been in print ever since. This collection contains both The L-Shaped Room and sequel The Backward Shadow, as well as two stories specially written for BBC radio and a bonus edition of Bookclub.

The L-Shaped Room - Jane is young, middle-class, single - and pregnant. Thrown out by her parents, she rents a squalid bedsit, where she struggles to overcome both her own prejudices and those of 1950s society. Starring Lynne Seymour as Jane, with John McAndrew as Toby.

The Backward Shadow - Living with her baby in a cottage inherited from her aunt, Jane's quiet life is shaken up by the arrival of her friend Dottie and the reappearance of Toby, the love of her life ... Lynne Seymour stars as Jane, with Rachel Atkins as Dottie.

Who Shall I Run To? - Sally recalls how she and ex-husband Jeremy celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with a romantic trip to Paris. Read by Siân Phillips.

Lame Duck - Anne and her artist husband Lionel have three boys, and little time for going out - so they decide to take in a lodger who might be prepared to babysit occasionally. Sadly, things do not work out as planned... Starring Anne Rosenfeld as Anne and Manning Wilson as Lionel.

Bookclub: Lynne Reid Banks - Readers talk to the celebrated author about The L-Shaped Room, describing what it means to them and how it has changed their lives. Chaired by James Naughtie.

Text copyright © Lynne Reid Banks 1960 (The L-Shaped Room), 1970 (The Backward Shadow), 1978 (Lame Duck), 2005 (Who Shall I Run To?)

Cast and credits Written by Lynne Reid Banks

The L-Shaped Room Jane - Lynne Seymour Toby - John McAndrew John - Trevor Laird Father - Bill Wallis Doris - Nickie Rainsford Mavis - Marie Gordon Price James - Simon Armstrong Dr Maxwell - John Rowe Jane 2/Dottie - Rachel Atkins Boss - Dave Bond Dr Graham - Richard Mitchley Terry - Robert Bowman Addy - Shirley Dixon Dramatised by Juliet Ace Prioduced and directed by Alison Hindell First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February-5 March 2004

The Backward Shadow Jane - Lynne Seymour Dottie - Rachel Atkins Toby - John McAndrew Henry - Simon Ludders Father/Ted - Don McCorkindale Billy Lee - Lesley Rooney Alan - Keiron Self Mrs Stephens - Manon Edwards Dora - Siriol Jenkins John - Trevor Laird Joanna - Nickie Rainsford Dramatised by Juliet Ace Prioduced and directed by Alison Hindell First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16-27 May 2005

Who Shall I Run To? Read by Siân Phillips Produced by Emma Harding First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 August 2005

Lame Duck Cliff - Christopher Guard Anne - Anne Rosenfeld Lionel - Manning Wilson Jamie - Judy Bennett Terry - Delia Morgan Dan - Elizabeth Lindsay Jacky - Karen Archer Mr Brent, a publican - Bruce Beeby Mrs Brent - Jane Knowles Directed by David B Godfrey First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 January 1978

Bookclub: Lynne Reid Banks Presented by James Naughtie With Lynne Reid Banks and a live studio audience Produced by Dymphna Flynn First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 June 2010

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© 2021 BBC Digital Audio (Lydbog): 9781529143645

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Lydbog: 9. december 2021