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