Jane Morgan Radio Plays

Jane's (possibly) best-known radio drama is the serial "Lord of the Rings", done over twenty years ago. (see Brian Sibley's page). She has also worked with Douglas Livingstone (see his page) for thirty years on a very well-known series of 'Road' plays - see Douglas's page for more details; over a dozen at the last count. BBC Genome lists about 700 broadcasts in which Jane has acted as producer, the earliest being in 1975..

Jane is keen on cricket, and has directed a number of plays based on it, including: Taking us to Lunch, by Peter Gibbs (1991), The Englishman Abroad (the Bodyline tour of 1930-31), The Champion (about W.G.Grace), and Keeping the Score (2006), the last being a lovely comedy about a cricket scorer who is unexpectedly interrupted in his score-box in the off season by a person who is to alter his life.

Some of these plays are discussed in detail on the Cricket plays page (go to Radio Plays - plays by topic - Cricket).

A FEW OF JANE'S PLAYS:

9 Oct 22: Classic Serial - The Odd Women: Part 1
By George Gissing, ad. from the novel by Christopher Douglas. Set in 1888. A technological and commercial revolution has created a surge in opportunities for women workers. Cablegrams flash under the Atlantic and across the Empire at speeds of up to 30 words per minute, and a new army of secretaries, stenographers and telephonists is being recruited and trained to facilitate the trade boom. The story follows the fates of two principals of a London secretarial school. Narrator……Robert Powell, Rhoda Nunn…..Emma Cunniffe, Mary Barfoot…..Geraldine Alexander, Everard Barfoot…..Tom Goodman-Hill, Monica Madden……Ayla Wheatley, Virginia Madden……Bryony Hannah, Alice Madden……Karen Archer, Edmund Widdowson……John McAndrew, Newdick……Freddy Carter. Pianist: Pamela White. Produced by Jane Morgan. Indie (7digital).

2021-11-23, 14-15 Road to Ferrara
By Douglas Livingstone. Raymond has long since divorced, but is still not used to being on his own. When his mother dies, he looks to her carer for help of a different sort. An invitation to go with her to Ferrara to witness the oldest Palio in Italy seems to open up the possibility of romance. Drama inspired by location recordings made at the 2019 Palio at Ferrara. Raymond.....Peter Wight, Lucia.....Rebecca Lee, Martha.....Joanna McCallum, Marco.....Sebastiano Kiniger, Maid.....Emma Noakes, Restaurant Owner.....Jane Bertish, Maria......Flaminia Cinque, Producer: Jane Morgan. Indie (7Digital); rpt from Sept 2019.

2020-03-30: About Love - The Man in a Case
15 Minute drama celebrating the 160th anniversary of Anton Chekhov's birth. The writer presents a series of his short stories on the subject of marriage. Dram. Martyn Wade. A repressed schoolmaster has marriage on his mind. Chekhov ...... Michael Pennington, Belikov ...... Jasper Britton , Kovalenko ...... Nicholas Boulton , Varenka ...... Zoe Waites, Produced by Philip Franks and Jane Morgan. Indie (Unique).

2019-05-06: Road to Oxford
By Douglas Livingstone.David is the first of his family to go to university. The young student goes up to Oxford full of hope and with his parents bursting with pride, but finds that it's not all plain sailing. The play is set at the celebration of the dawn on May 1st, when the choristers sing from the top of Magdalen tower and the students shiver in their evening clothes at the base - after a night of partying. The production team went to Oxford to record the overnight festivities and shivered with the rest of them. A number of the actors are making their radio debuts and are graduates of the Oxford School of Drama or from the University. Students advised on the setting for the recordings and some of them suggested storylines. Bernard: John McAndrew, David: Michael Gilbert, Shirley: Annabel Smith, Mary: Jane Whittenshaw, Julian: Jordan Metcalfe, Christopher: Charlie Bateman, The Porter: Christopher Benjamin, The Senior Tutor: Frank Stirling, The Guide: Ella Road, The Policeman: Christopher Royle. Producer: Jane Morgan.

ROAD TO LISBON ....2018
Douglas Livingstone's latest play (R4, 1415, 15 Oct 2018) was the latest in a long series of collaborations with producer Jane Morgan which began in 1983. In each of the 'Road' plays, a specially recorded soundtrack made at a major festival is used to create a drama. This time it's the Feast of St. Anthony; the Lisbon Sardine festival. St. Anthony is the patron saint of missing objects, but in Portugal, he’s the patron saint for singles - the matchmaker. During the festival, charcoal-cooked sardines and barbecues can be smelled all over the city. But the play is not just about sardines and sangria - we learn about life under the dictatorship of Dr. Salazar and the effect that the Carnation Revolution had on Tony's father: one of the so-called ‘Returnados’ who had to return to the home country after the fall of the Portuguese fascists. He found himself equally unwelcome in his native Lisbon, so made a new life in England. Then on his death, his son unearths a secret... Tony was played by Carl Prekopp, Paolo, the father by David Westhead, Sharmila by Carlyss Peer and Joan by Elizabeth Rider. The producer, as mentioned above, was Jane Morgan. (....ND, Diversity Website review, Dec 2018)

2017-11-30: Road to Lautrec
By Douglas Livingstone and director Jane Morgan, continuing the series of dramas created with recordings from festivals around the world. This year, they reach the annual garlic festival held in the village of Lautrec. The hilltop community, holds a festival to celebrate the harvest of their pink garlic. The two-day event on the first weekend of August attracts thousands of visitors. In the play, three individuals from a cookery course visit the fete. The cast includes the original Poldark, Robin Ellis, who lives in the region. Mary ...... Cheryl Campbell, Colin ...... Robin Ellis , Harry ....... Nigel Anthony , Susanna ........ Emma Cunniffe , Young Mary ...... Bronte Tadman, Philippe ........ Pierre Elliott, Producer ...... Jane Morgan. Indie (7digital).

ROAD TO OXFORD (R4, 1415 30 Nov 16) by Douglas Livingstone was the latest in a long line of 'Road' plays (there are now nine of them) created on location in his partnership with producer Jane Morgan. This one focuses on young David as he goes up to Oxford; the first member of his family to go to university. The drama is set at the celebration of the dawn on 1 May, when choristers sing from the top of Magdalen tower and after a night of partying and drinking, the students, still in their evening dress and some of them throwing up, shiver in their evening clothes and listen to the singing.

The production team went to Oxford to record the event, and some of the actors made their radio debuts as graduates of the Oxford School of Drama or from the University itself. David doesn't settle happily into college life; eventually he goes missing, and the substance of the play is about where he's gone and why. The play starred John McAndrew as Dad, Michael Gilbert as David and Annabel Smith as Shirley. The producer was Frank Stirling and the director was Jane Morgan. (....ND, Diversity Website review, Dec 2016)

2015-04-15: Road to the Borders
By Douglas Livingstone. Set in Hawick over the weekend of the Reivers' Festival - a few days when the deeds of the reivers (one who makes raids or plunders) are celebrated. Until James I & VI united England and Scotland the reivers ruled the Borders, stealing their neighbours' cattle and exacting revenge for the raids they suffered themselves. Hamish is as English as they come, but his father was born in the Borders and Jim's pride in his ancestry becomes more marked the older he becomes. As he looks back with regret to the rules that governed his forbears, he wishes his son could be more like the reivers of old. Road to the Borders is the sixth play in the Road series, in which writer Douglas Livingstone and director Jane Morgan team up at an event. The particular sounds are recorded and the atmosphere absorbed before Douglas writes the play. On this occasion, he responded to the romance and melodrama of the story of the reivers and the fact that his own father was a Scot, which played some part in the making of the play. Producer: Jane Morgan. Indie (Unique).

2014-04-22: Road to Venice
By Douglas Livingstone. It's rare to have a play about three older women, but Douglas Livingstone's Road to Venice is an account of the hen party in Venice of three women nearing seventy, with one of them being the future bride. Barbara Flynn, Gabrielle Lloyd and Angela Pleasence play the three women with Ronald Pickup as the elderly fiance and though there's a lot of humour in the play Douglas Livingstone has a real insight into the problems which face the three women. And with recordings that were specially made during the Regata Storica last September, the listener will feel that he also has taken the Road to Venice. Sally .................... Barbara Flynn, Hilda .................... Gabrielle Lloyd, Irene .................... Angela Pleasance, Simon .................... Ronald Pickup, Marco .................... Vincenzo Nicoli, Sophia .................... Eugenia Caruso. Producer .................... Jane Morgan.

COURTLY LOVE (R3, 2000, 17 Jun 2012), by Michelene Wandor, was about the life of Lucrezia Borgia and Isabella d'Este; two influential women of Renaissance Italy. Lucrezia Borgia was the illegitimate daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, the Renaissance Valencian who later became Pope Alexander VI.

Lucrezia and Isabella were powerful, but they spent enormous amounts of time pregnant in an attempt to produce male heirs, and love wasn't a necessary component of their marriages. Liaisons between families - and pregnancies - were planned meticulously as if they were part of an important game of chess. With the necessary planning, power and property could pass down the generations.

Nathalie Buscombe played Lucrezia and Grainne Keenan was Isabella, along with Nicholas Boulton, Clare Corbett, Edward Evans and a string of other well-known radio names. The producer was Jane Morgan. (....ND, Diversity Website review, Sep 2012)

2011-11-19: The Weirdstone of Brisingamen
Alan Garner used a local legend as the starting point for his book "The Weirdstone of Brisingamen" and the story is set in the part of Cheshire he knows well. Dramatised by Peter Thomson. Colin ...... Robert Powell, Young Colin ...... Hugo Docking, Susan ..... Fern Deacon, Gowther ...... Trevor Cooper, Bess ...... Rachel Atkins, Selina Place ..... Monica Dolan, Cadellin ...... Philip Voss, Fenodyree ...... Steve Hodson, Durathror ...... Struan Rodger Music by Mia Soteriou, Special Effects: Wilfredo Acosta. Producer: Jane Morgan. Indie (Waters Company)

2010-01-28: 15 Minute Drama: The Lady with the Little Dog
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Anton Chekhov's birth, Michael Pennington plays the great Russian writer presenting a series of his short stories on the subject of marriage, dramatised by Martyn Wade. Chekhov ...... Michael Pennington, Anna ...... Zoe Waites, Gurov ...... Jasper Britten Directed by Philip Franks and Jane Morgan. Indie (Unique)

2009-04-18: Road to Durham
Douglas Livingstone's play about Bevin Boys, the young men who were sent down the mines instead of joining the armed forces in the Second World War. Two 80-year-old former Bevin Boys, who have not seen each other for 63 years, decide to go to the Durham Miners' Gala together and confront their memories of the past. Christopher ...... Timothy West, Benny ...... Douglas Livingstone, Young Christopher ...... Fergus Rees, Young Benny ...... Sam Fletcher, Sally ...... Faye Castelow, Jim ...... Christoher Connel, Michael ...... David Whitaker, Older Sally ...... Jane Whittenshaw, Headmaster ...... Brian Lonsdale. With recordings made at the Durham Miners' Gala and at West Pelton Primary School. Produced by Jane Morgan. Indie (Unique productions)

TULIPS IN WINTER (R3, 2000, 5 Oct 08) was Michelene Wandor's exploration of the life of the 17th-century philosopher Spinoza, who was excommunicated from Judaism by rabbis in Amsterdam after his rationalist philosophy led him to the conclusion that there is no such thing as the immortal soul and that God is made in the imagination. Moira Petty, in "The Stage", commented: Wandor gave the play substance and energy by imagining that Rembrandt - a stylish cameo by Timothy Spall - was an acquaintance and that Cromwell had sent his diplomat George Downing (John McAndrew) to recruit Spinoza as a spy. Wandor even managed a potted history of Spinoza’s mathematically formulated arguments. Ben Myles was Spinoza, Gabriel Woolf Spinoza's father, and Angela Pleasance was Angel. The producer was Jane Morgan. (....ND, Diversity Website review, Dec 2008)

2007-02-10: Backtrack
By Jill Hyem. It begins in a temporary centre for the homeless over a Bank Holiday weekend where Jan is roped in as volunteer: as the organiser says - "it s not only at Christmas that you can feel lonely". The weekend brings her in contact with Fiz, a young down-and-out with whom she becomes almost obsessed, though she is a woman who is very much determined to walk her own path, without commitments. But for once, she follows her instincts. Jan: Maxine Peake, Fiz: Joseph Kioska, Matt: Mark Straker, Molly: Marcella Riordan, Alec: Andrew Woodall, Nancy: Rachel Atkins, Mr Sykes: Sam Dale, Yorkshire neighbour: Christine Kavanagh, Producer/Director Jane Morgan.

KEEPING THE SCORE (R4, 1415, 29 Aug 2006) was another cricket play produced by Jane Morgan, passionate follower of the game; written by Martyn Wade. Gerald's winter refuge is the score box at the village cricket ground, where he's the official scorer in the summer. His wife is unaware of his hiding place, and he's determined she won't find out. Then one day a man turns up with a message which is to change both their lives. The cast and producer had fun making this; it starred David Troughton as Gerald, Sam Kelly as Derek, and the music was written and played by Neil Brand. (....ND, Diversity Website review, Sep 2006)

2005-04-26: The Beast Must Die
By Nicholas Blake. 1/2. When Felix Cairnes 's only child is killed by a hit-and-run driver he makes a solemn vow to track the - man down and to kill him. The police may not be able to trace him, but Felix will. Dramatised by Michael Bakewell. Felix: Jonathan Cullen, Lena: Lucy Whybrow, George: Andrew Woodall, Mrs Rattery: Jill Balcon, Violet: Deborah Berlin, Phil: Taylor Jefferson, Shepherd: Christopher Douglas, Callaghan: Ian Masters. Producer: Jane Morgan.

2004-12-19: Classic Serial - The Pickwick Papers
3/4. A good-humoured Christmas succeeded by far less agreeable scenes from the great drama of life. Charles Dickens's comic and profoundly silly tale of innocence abroad. Adapted by Michael Eaton. Mr Pickwick .......... Timothy Spall, Mrs Bardell .......... Sue Johnstone, Sgt Buzfuz .......... Gerard Murphy, Perker .......... Philip Voss, Sgt Snubbin .......... Philip Fox, Tupman .......... Toby Jones, Twinkle .......... John McAndrew, Snodgrass .......... Robert Portal, Squire Wardle .......... Gawn Grainger, Miss Rachell .......... Julie Legrand, Emily .......... Katie Foster-Barnes, Arabella .......... Lucy Davenport, Ben .......... Jonathan Keeble, Bob .......... Guy Lankester, Sam Weller .......... Burn Gorman, Tony .......... Michael Jayston, Mother-in-law .......... Lynne Farieigh, Stiggins .......... Jack Shepherd, Mrs Cluppins .......... Lynne Miller, Mrs Raddle .......... Angela Pleasence, Tommy .......... Joseph Gritt, Headmistress .......... Julie Legrand. Producer: Nicholas Newton. Director: Jane Morgan. Repeated on Christmas Day at 9pm.

Soeur Sourire, by Bruce Stewart (R4, 2102, 26 Sep 03), was a play inspired by the life of the Singing Nun, Jeanine Decker, whose song "Dominique" shot to fame in 1963. A wonderful singer, but stitched up by her religious bosses and the record company, A & R. The play chronicles a disgraceful episode in the history of the Church - a nun with a talent for music earns prodigious sums for the ecclesiastical authorities. Years later, after she's left religious orders, she's sent an enormous tax bill, but has no money of her own so cannot pay it. Her nunnery ex-bosses don't want to know, and eventually she takes her own life. Hardly the first time that theory and practice in the Catholic church don't match up... and this is only 40 years ago. This was Bruce Stewart's first radio play for nearly a decade in a radio writing career stretching back to 1956. Kelly Hunter played Jeanine; it also starred Amanda Root, Jill Balcon, Marlan Diamond and Nicola Barber and was directed by Jane Morgan. (....ND, Diversity Website review, Dec 2003)

2002-06-29: A Question of Proof
By Nicholas Blake. Dramatised by Michael Bakewell. "It'sabout time that squirt Wemyss was suppressea. Pedantic Percy 's little pet isgetting above himself." Nobody liked the headmaster's nephew, but surely no one would actually murder him? Narrator: Gerard Murphy, Nigel: Philip Franks, Michael: Peter Acre, Percy: David Colllngs, Hero: Emma Gregory, Supt Armstrong: Struan Rodger, Gadsby: Steve Hodson, Wrench: Colin Tierney, Sims: Philip Fox, Tiverton: Geoffrey Beevers, Griffin: Jonathan Guy Lewis, Rosa: Rosanna Mason, Smithers: Daniel Draper, Stevens: Edmund Singer-Klngsmlth, Ponsonby: Patrick Liddicoat. With boys from Hurstpierpomt College. Producer: Jane Morgan.

2001-04-24: The Machine Stops
By Edward Forster. The story takes place in a future where people can only communicate through a machine - much like the internet today - and technology has become an all-powerful god. Dramatised by Gregory Norminton. Vashti: Gemma Jones, Kuno: John McAndrew, Computer: Jillie Meers, The four voices: Anne Carroll, Christian Rodksa, Connie Walker, Fergus Webster. Producer: Marilyn Imrie, Director: Jane Morgan, Sound designer: Wilfredo Acosta.

2000-10-15, Classic Serial: His Natural Life, 2
By Marcus Clarke , dramatised in three parts by Joe Dunlop. The story of a man falsely accused of murder. Ep. 2: Marooned. Rufus Dawes has spent six terrible years in the penal settlement at Macquarie Bay for a crime he did not commit. Rufus: Owen Teale, Maurice: Nicholas Boutton, Major Vickers: Terence Edmond, Mrs Vickers: Sarah Badel, Sylvia: Jasmine Hyde, Capt Blunt: Douglas Livingstone, Sarah: Monica Dolan, Troke: Sam Kelly, John: Peter Acre, Gabbett: Struan Rodger, with Stephen Ventura and Joe Dunlop. Producer: Jane Morgan. Repeated Saturday 9pm.

1999-11-07, Classic Serial: The Bell, 1
By Iris Murdoch , dramatised in three parts by Michael Bakewell. 1: Sex and religion come into conflict in this story of a lay community which is seriously disturbed by the arrival of an errant wife. Dora Greenfield: Cathryn Bradshaw, Noel Spens: Charlie Simpson, Paul Greenfield: Nicholas Farrell, James Tayper Pace: Philip Voss, TobyGashe: Jamie Bamber, Nick Fawley: Nicholas Boulton, Mrs Mark: Jane Booker, Michael Meade: Crispin Redman, Mark Strafford: Matthew Morgan, Sister Ursula: Marian Diamond, Catherine Fawley: Emma Gregory, Music: Elizabeth Parker. Producer Catherine Bailey. Director Jane Morgan.

1998-02-15 Children's BBC Radio 4: Haphazard House, 1
By Mary Wesley , dramatised for radio in three parts by Bill Taylor. Life takes on a new dimension for the Fullers when Pa buys a Panama hat. Lisa .......... Jade Williams, Josh .......... Ivan Berry, with Stuart Richman , Christine Mackie , John Jardine , Malcolm Hebden , Alison Darling , James Nickerson and William Oxborrow. Music composed by Paul Cargill. Producer: Jane Morgan.

1997-02-23: The Citadel, 4
By AJ Cronin , dramatised in four parts by Herbert Williams. With James Macpherson as Andrew Manson and Kelly Hunter as Christine. 4: Storming the Castle. Andrew is well on the way to being an admirable physician. Denny: Struan Rodger, Freddie Hamson: Matthew Morgan, Charles Ivory: Sean Baker, Frances Lawrence: Melanie Walters, Hope: Robert Harper, Con Boland: Stephen O'Reilly, Richard Stillman: Dorien Thomas, with Alice Arnold , Julie Meers, Christine Pritchard, Brinley Jenkins and Mark Bonner. Producer: Jane Morgan.

1996-10-06 The Classic Serial: Dombey and Son, 6
By Charles Dickens. The final episode of Michael Bakewell 's dramatisation. 6: The Fugitives. Charles Dickens .......... Simon Russell Beale, Edith .......... Sylvestra Le Touzel, Mr Carker .......... Gerard Murphy, Mr Dombey .......... Ian Hogg, Florence .......... Lucy Whybrow, Walter Gay .......... Samuel West, Captain Cuttle .......... Douglas Livingstone, with Robert Lang, Avril Elgar , Emma Gregory , Toby Jones, Nichola McAuliffe , Angela Pleasence, Norman Rodway, Jonathan Cecil , Ross Livingstone, Deborah Berlin , Rowena Cooper. Jane Whittenshaw, Anna Lukis, Edward Michie, Matthew Morgan and Trevor Nicholls. Producer: Jane Morgan.

1995-02-20: The Vacillations of Poppy Carew, 1
By Mary Wesley. 11.30pm. Dramatised in six episodes by Betty Davies, with Beatie Edney as Poppy Carew. 1: Poppy's boyfriend ditches her. Dad: David Sinclair, Nurse: Rachel Atkins, Fergus Furnival: Andrew Wincott, Anthony Green: Neville Jason, Bank manager: John Evitts, With Kate Maravan and James Fleet. Producer: Jane Morgan; rpt.

1994-05-16: Coleman and Astor, 1
A four-part detective series by Michael McStay with Stephen Thorne as Inspector Coleman and Joe Dunlop as Sergeant Astor. Ep. 1: Death of a Hooligan. The two policemen who worked together in Scotland find South Hants to be very different territory. But football fans tend to be the same the world over. Music By: Stephen Warbeck. Benjamin: Dominic Curtis, Adams: Tom Bevan, Jackson: Peter Kenny, Craddock: Paul Panting, PC Trench: Nicholas Boulton, Pub landlord: James Taylor, Dr Kendrick: James Kerry, Train guard: Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Train barman: Gareth Armstrong, Margaret Coleman: Diana Bishop, Superintendent Beauchamp: Frances Jeater. Music by Stephen Warbeck. Series producer Jane Morgan.

1993-04-18: Trumpets and Foie Gras
The second of four programmes by Roderick Graham to celebrate the life of Sydney Smith. Robert Lang plays the cleric who could dazzle any social gathering. Saba: Marian Diamond, Mrs Smith: Ann Bell, Lady Holland: Richenda Carey, Lady Grey: Susan Sheridan, Mr Loch: Eric Allan, Bristolian: Terence Edmond, Rev Milestone: Mark Straker, Producer: Jane Morgan.

1992-11-20, 15-30 The Dead Room
Actors, producers, studio managers, production assistants and the writer have all contributed their fees and wages to make this comedy for Children in Need Day. Contributors include the BBC's Managing Director of Network Radio, David Hatch ; various drama producers; the actress Anna Massey ; and the script is by Radio Drama's Literary Manager, Alan Drury. The play concerns the search for the killer of Johnson, the director of an arts and leisure centre. Johnson .......... John Tydeman, Renfrew .......... Hamish Wilson, Carter .......... Glyn Dearman, Bates .......... Eoin O'Callaghan, Barker .......... Faynia Williams, Auntie .......... Pam Brighton, Parsletv .......... Philip Martin, Chief Executive .......... David Hatch, Mrs Arbuthnot / Lady Evelyn .......... Anna Massey. With Terry Wogan and Kenneth Branagh , and help from Joanna Kyle, SMs Carol McShane, Richard Beadsmore , Sarah Rosewam, producers Enyd Williams and Jane Morgan. Director: Ned Chaillet.

1991-11-27 Mathematical Triangle: Archimedes
The second of three plays by John Wain and Laszlo Solymar about mathematicians and philosophers whose ideas brought about their downfall. Archimedes was thought by some to be a madman, jumping out of his bath and running stark naked through the streets shouting "Eureka!". But his inventions were capable of being turned into the most terrifying weapons. Archimedes: Terrence Hardiman, Aristander: Eric Allan, Hieron: Phillip Sully, Marcellus: Terence Edmond, Theophilus: David Sinclair, Leander: John Church, Crassus: Mark Straker, Centurion: Charles Millham, Soldier: Robert Portal, Producer: Jane Morgan.

1991-06-19, House of Dreams
By Henrietta March Phillipps. Damp, crumbling plaster, rotten wood and an invasion of ants - none of these can destroy Kate's love of her house, but it's an enthusiasm which her husband doesn't share. Kate: Amanda Redman, Bruno: Gianpiero Porcaro, Joseph: Struan Rodger, Simon: James Simmons, Danny: Petra Markham, Mrs 'Ant': Maxine Audley, Producer: Jane Morgan.

1990-12-27, Reading Aloud, 2: Cricketing Heroes
,By Neville Cardus; read by Struan Rodger. Produced by Jane Morgan.

1989-12-21, Posters of the Moulin Rouge, 4
By John Peacock. 4: Jane Avril - They called her Crazy. Jane because of the way she danced, but it was not an affectionate nickname. Jane Avril used people all her life and reaped the consequences. Jane: Angela Pleasence, Andre Vaubert: Jack Galloway, Gazelle: Vivian Pickles, Toulouse-Lautrec: Clive Merrison, Alain Marais: Brian Miller, Madelèine: Anne Carroll, Zidler: Norman Jones, Maxine: Valeria Sarruf, Gazelle (at 17): Elizabeth Mansfield, Arsene Ondet: David King, with Alice Arnold, John Bull, AnnaCropper, Tata Dominick and Jo Kendall. Music by Stephen Warbeck; produced by Jane Morgan.

1988-02-06, SNT, Melford's Axe
By Roderick Graham. 'A great deed' is what Melford thought when he was asked to use his farrier's axe to cut off the head of the King of England. But it was a deed that had to be kept secret and such a secret is a fearful burden. Jack Melford .......... Struan Rodger, Mary .......... Sara Kestelman, Whittinghame .......... Peter Baldwin, Chard .......... Kim Wall, Col Hacker .......... John Samson, Charles I .......... Mlchael Deacon, Ben .......... John McAndrew, Luke .......... Stephen Tompkinson, Farmer .......... John Baddeley, Innkeeper .......... Peter Craze, Samuel Pickett .......... Michael Tudor Barnes, Robert .......... Anthony Jackson, Lord Bolton .......... Christopher Benjamin, Charles II .......... Steve Hodson, Undertaker .......... Steven Harrold, Producer .......... Jane Morgan.

1987-04-19: The Lord of the Rings, 7
By Ron Tolkien, ad. Brian Sibley and Michael Bakewell. 'We will set out to Edoras together,' said Aragorn. 'But I do not doubt that you will come there before me, if you wish. And this I also say, Gandalf .......... you are our captain and our banner. The Dark Lord has Nine. But we have One, mightier than they.' Frodo .......... Ian Holm, Gandalf .......... Michael Hordern, Aragorn .......... Robert Stephens, Gollum .......... Peter Woodthorpe, Theoden .......... Jack May, Sam .......... William Nighy, Merry .......... Richard O'Callaghan, Pippin .......... John McAndrew, Gimli .......... Douglas Livingstone, Legolas .......... David Collings, Treebeard .......... Stephen Thorne, Eomer .......... Anthony Hyde, Eowyn .......... Elin Jenkins, Grima Wormtongue .......... Paul Brooke, Ceorl .......... Michael McStay, Gamling .......... Patrick Barr, Hama .......... Michael Spice, Guard .......... Christopher Scott, Narrator....... Gerard Murphy. With Sean Arnold, John Bott, David Bradshawe, John Church, Graham Fauljner, Stephen garlick, Alexander John, John Livesey, Martyn Read, Hayn Wood and John Webb, with the Ambrosian Singers. Music composed and conducted by Stephen Oliver. Producers: Jane Morgan and Penny Leicester.

1986-04-12: The Jenny Wagon
By John Peacock. In 1858 Judge Begbie came to the Cariboo goldfields to bring British j ustice to the land. His inquiries into the death of Gold Commissioner Hicks led him to a group of concert performers known as 'The Jenny Wagon '. Producer: .......... Jane Morgan, Fanny .......... Tessa Worsley, Judge Begbie .......... Iain Cuthbertson. Davy .......... Danny Webb.

1985-03-24, 19-00: The Gold of the Conqueror, 3
By Colin Shaw. James Hamilton is by now up to his neck in Doradan politics, decidedly persona non grata with the police. His involvement with a guerrilla group makes life even more of a risky business. James Hamilton .......... Steve Hodson, Susie Field .......... Helena Breck, Hayes Davidson .......... Norman Jones, Quintana .......... Jack May, Garcia .......... Robin Summers, Hugh Forbes .......... Jack McKenzie, Isabella .......... Mia Soteriou, Roger Harrison .......... Christopher Douglas, Police Inspector .......... David Sinclair, Hotel manager .......... Peter Baldwin, Hotel barman .......... Carlos Douglas. With Trevor Nichols. Alan Thompson, Tessa Worsley. Producer: Jane Morgan. 1984-04-29, Our Mutual Friend, 6
By Charles Dickens, in 10 episodes. Dram. Betty Davies.Ep. 6: A Flight and a Fall. '"Mr Wrayburn", said Lizzie, "I have had a bitter trial tonight, and I hope you will not think me ungrateful or mysterious, or changeable. I am neither; I am wretched. Pray remember what I said to you. Pray, pray take care.'" Rogue Riderhood .......... Robert Lang, Silas Wegg .......... Douglas Livingstone, Mr Boffin .......... Michael Graham Cox, Mrs Boffin .......... Megs Jenkins, Bella Wilfer .......... Pippa Guard, John Rokesmith .......... Michael Kitchen, Jenny Wren .......... Angela Pleasence, Mr Fledgeby .......... Bill Nighy, Mr Riah .......... Cyril Shaps, Eugene Wrayburn .......... Michael Cochrane, Narrator .......... Simon Cadell, Lady Tippins .......... Cecile Chevrau, Mortimer Lightwood .......... Steve Hodson, Alfred Lammle .......... Brett Usher, Sophronia .......... Maggie McCarthy, Mr Twemlow .......... Timothy Bateson, Miss Abbey Potterson .......... Margot Boyd, Pleasant Riderhood .......... Carole Boyd, R W Wilfer .......... Hugh Dickson, Mrs Wilfer .......... Avril Elgar, Lavinia .......... Moir Leslie, Mr Venus .......... Jon Strickland, with Michael Bilton, Geoffrey Collins, Willian Eedle, Anthony Hall, Colin Starkey, and Mark Straker. Produced by Jane Morgan.

1983-01-2: Background
by Bill Lyons. SNT. Starring Nigel Hawthorne and Douglas Livingstone. The old firm of Vogel and Fraser appears to be in danger of breaking up. Fraser is stuck behind a desk and rarely gets out on the job, and Vogel, accused by Fraser of going through the male menopause, is thinking of packing in being a policeman. But neither of them can resist a challenge. MO .......... Diana Bishop, Det Insp Jimmy Vogel .......... Douglas Livingstone, Mrs Ornum .......... Miranda Forbes, Mr Ornum .......... Michal McStay, Timothy Ornum .......... Rusty Livingstone, Andy .......... Leroi Samuels, Dave .......... Alex Jennings, Det Chief Supt Fraser .......... Nigel Hawthorne, Insp Peter Gardner .......... Ronald Baddily, Rick .......... Michael Deeks, Chas .......... Simon Hewitt, Stew .......... Patrick Field, DC Young .......... Steve Hodson, Sharon Fraser .......... Alexandra Mathis, Mrs Fraser .......... Lillias Walker. Producer: Jane Morgan.

1982-04-04: Dark Heritage
By Catharine Hughes. In September 1934, there was an explosion at Gresford Colliery in North Wales and 265 men were trapped by fire. The pithead wheels still stand as a memorial to those men. This play tells the story of a young girl whose life was marred by that tragedy and by another mining disaster many years later in South Waies-on 21 October 1966. Producer: Jane Morgan, Isaiah Jones: Meredith Edwards, Nansi: Meg Wynn Owen, the young Nansi and Nerys: Marged Esli.

1981-08-21: The Last of the Sun
By Kay McManus, with Pauline Letts. It's the morning after the wedding - the last of the fledglings has flown the nest and it would seem a chance for Beth to strike out in new directions. But she is strangely unwilling to make any decisions or to respond to the various demands that her family make upon her. Beth Stanton: Pauline Letts, Ian: Adam Godley, Jane Harper: Amanda Murray, Michael Harper: David McAlister, Pip: Eva Griffiths, Mrs Peters: Anthea Askey, Adam: Christopher Scott, Maggie: Clare Austin, Sally: Patience Tomlinson, Tony: Crawford Logan, John Stanton: Jack May, Paul Summerfield: Rex Robinson, Dr Tom Saunders: Michael Spice, Producer: Jane Morgan.

THE ENGLISHMAN ABROAD....1980
By Christopher Douglas. Jardine set out in the winter of 1932 with the avowed intent of destroying "those ruddy convicts" - the Australian cricket team. The tour became known as the Bodyline Tour and Jardine earned himself the hatred of every Australian. But he won the series. With Michael Cochrane as Jardine, Robert East as Gubby Allen, Haydn Wood as Bob Wyatt and Michael Kitchen as Harold Larwood. Also stars David Threlfall, Peter Joyce, John Church, Robert Lang, Partick Barr, John Bott as the rest of the England team...then as the Australians: Bill Woodfull played by Edmunde Pegge, Bradman by Christopher Blake, Jack Fingleton by Nick Tate, Viv Richardson by Damon Sanders, Stan McCabe by Peter Dahlsen, other parts by Philip Dunbar, Gordon Reid, Gordon Gostelow, Michael McStay, Martin Friend, Christopher Douglas, Stephen Thorne...and Michael Spice and Brian Haines as the Commander and George V. Directed by Jane Morgan, a keen cricket enthusiast. Date of first broadcast - 6 Sep 1980. Rpt. 1981, 1992.

1979-05-27: Westerman Flat
By John Kirkmorris. For Strutt, life in the cities is dead; the economic crisis overtaking us makes it imperative for man to return to the land and to live by what he can grow. But though he thinks he can see clearly into the future, he couldn't foresee a plane crash and the effect that it was to have on his life and that of his wife.Alan Debic as Strutt, Frances Jeater as Nora, Simon Callow as Foster, and Stephen Thorne as the Radio Announcer. SMs Peter Novis, Anne Hunt and John Whitehall. Producer: Jane Morgan. First broadcast in 1975.

1978-07-25: Beach Games
By Derek Coltman. Thirty Minute Theatre. 11.05am. 'Estelle tells untrue stories almost continuously. She lives in a fantasy world. She is a liar.' It's not easy to live with a person like that, especially when she involves you in her fantasies. Producer: Jane Morgan, Dewey: Vivian Pickles, Estelle: Sheila Reid, The Man: Michael Graham Cox.

1977-08-22 The Loved and the Unloved
By Francois Mauriac, dram. Joan O'Connor. Monday Play. Love is not something that you can force anyone to feel, but Agathe's passion is so great that she is determined to have the young man of her choice at any price, regardless of the damage to other people. Produced by Jane Morgan. Julia Dubernet: Joan Matheson, Marie Dubernet: Emily Richard, Agathe de Camblanes: Thelma Whiteley, Armand Dubernet: Anthony Newlanlds, Gilles Salone: Simon Cadell, Mme Plassac: Kathleen Helme, Nicholas Plassac: Tom Wilkinson, Dr Salone: Jonathan Scott, Nurse: Nicolette McKenzie.

1976-05-19 Death of a Pig
By John Kirkmorris. ' There's a saying " cats look down on you, dogs look up to you .......... but pigs is equal ". Sebastian was equal.' Fay .......... Elizabeth Spriggs, Kitty .......... Avril Elgar, Alan .......... Peter Craze, Lenny Rolfe .......... Malcolm Reid, Lumsden .......... Douglas Blackwell, Mr Tweed .......... David Graham, Producer.......... Jane Morgan.

1976-01-11: Evan Harrington, 1
By George Meredith, dramatised in five parts by D.G.Bridson. Meredith's expose of the snobbishness of English society in the first half of the 19th century. The dramatisation brings to life Meredith's splendidly eccentric characters. 1: Death of a Tailor. Drummond Forth .....Philip Voss, Harry Jocelyn...David Troughton, Grossby .......... Haydn Jones, Barnes .......... Leslie Heritage, Kilne .......... Peter Woodthorpe, Lady Roseley .......... Margaret Ward, Mrs Harrington .......... Pauline Letts, Rose Jocelyn .......... Rosalind Ayres, Evan Harrington .......... Simon Cadell, Louisa, Countess de Saldar .......... Anna Massey, Melville Jocelyn .......... Michael Deacon, Mrs Melville Jocelyn .......... Diana Robson, Caroline Strike .......... Jane Wenham, Harriet Cogglesby .......... Diana Bishop, Andrew Cogglesby .......... Christopher Benjamin, Old Tom Cogglesby .......... Timothy Bateson, Susan .......... Alison Frazer, Waiter .......... Anthony Smee, Jack Raikes .......... Nigel Anthony, Ferdinand Laxley .......... Tim Pigott-Smith, Producer: Jane Morgan.

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PRODUCER'S CHOICE
Producer's Choice this week (Mon 29 Mar 2004) comes from Jane Morgan, who has directed many plays and classic serials for Radio 4. Her choices begin at 11am on Monday with the wonderfully titled Old Ladies at the Zoo, written by David Ashton and starring Peggy Mount and Liz Smith. Here's the full week's offering:

Monday: Old Ladies at the Zoo
Two grumpy old ladies meet at the zoo to discuss the animals, only occasionally letting a truth or two slip out. (09/07/86)

Tuesday: The Perfect Moment
Moll and her husband-to-be Derek are having a meal, hampered by his stomach ulcer and a very loud Betty Marsden, who gleefully informs him that thanks to the suicide rate, males outnumber females. (23/11/88)

Wednesday: Casque d'Or
A tale of revolutionary Paris where passion and ideals become fatally intertwined. With Miranda Richardson. (02/10/91)

Thursday: The Glad House
What's to be done about dad? He talks to his pigeons more than he does his daughters. And he has odd ideas about the dog. (01/07/99)

Friday: Dear Doctor Goebbels
Philip Morganstern enters the world of prosthetics and finds himself in Germany fitting an artificial limb onto the Minister for Propaganda. (30/11/01)

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