Wives and Daughters is a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, first published in the Cornhill Magazine as a serial from August 1864 to January 1866. When Mrs Gaskell died suddenly in 1865, it was not quite complete, and the last section was written by Frederick Greenwood. The story revolves around Molly Gibson, only daughter of a widowed doctor living in a provincial English town in the 1830s.
This dramatisation of Elizabeth Gaskell's last novel (1865) begins with Molly Gibson facing up to life away from her beloved Papa.
Episode 1 of 10:
It's an exciting day for young Molly Gibson as she prepares for her first visit to the Hollingford gala. But her experience there gives her widowed father Dr Gibson a new idea.
Elizabeth' Gaskell's classic novel of everyday provincial life in the 1820s is dramatised by Theresa Heskins.
Lily Gaskell - Deborah Mcandrew
Molly Gibson - Emerald O'Hanrahan
Dr Gibson - Jamie Newall
Hyacinth Kirkpatrick - Julia Hills
Lady Cumnor - Claire Neilson
Dorothy Browning - Marian Kemmer
Phoebe Browning - Susan Jeffrey
Mrs Goodenough - Kate Layden
Coxe - Henry Devas
Wynne - Iain Batchelor
Bethia/Miss Rose - Toni Midlane
Squire Hamley - Paul Greenwood
Mrs Hamley - Jilly Bond
Roger Hamley - Gunnar Cauthery
Cynthia - Maya Barcot
Produced and directed by Peter Leslie
Wives and Daughters was written in the 1860s and serialised in the Cornhill Magazine.
It is set in the 1820s and deals to a large extent with the position of women in Society.
Elizabeth Gaskell left it unfinished, so any dramatiser of the novel is faced with guessing the intended outcome of the story.
Theresa Heskins previously adapted Lady Audley's Secret for the Woman's Hour serial, and has adapted Bleak House and Great Expectations for the New Vic Theatre, North Staffordshire, where she is Artistic Director.
Replies
Episode Two
Dr Gibson realises his daughter has become a young woman, and has to prescribe strong medicine for one of his apprentices.
Meanwhile Molly has to prepare herself for an unexpected trip.
Episode Three
Molly hears all about the Hamley Brothers while becoming a good friend to the ailing Mrs Hamley.
She is reunited with her father when he arrives bearing some intriguing news.
Episode Four
As Molly comes to terms with her father's news, we hear how he came to his momentous decision.
Still at Hamley Hall, Molly begins to see Roger in a more sympathetic light.
Woman's Hour Drama Wives and Daughters Episode 3 01-12-10.mp3
Woman's Hour Drama Wives and Daughters Episode 4 02-12-10.mp3
Episode Five
Molly has to come to terms with many changes in her life.
The changes to the house are not all to her taste, and she is called to Mrs Hamley's bedside.
Finally she is burdened with an important secret by the Hamley brothers.
Episode Six
It's the day of the Easter Charity Ball and Cynthia receives a gift from a mysterious admirer.
Hyacinth see the dance as an opportunity to introduce her daughter to a number of possible suitors.
Woman's Hour Drama Wives and Daughters Episode 5 03-12-10.mp3
Woman's Hour Drama Wives and Daughters Episode 6 06-12-10.mp3
Epsiode Seven
Meanwhile, Hyacinth incurs the wrath of her husband with a breach of professional etiquette.
Episode Eight
With Roger away in Africa, Hyacinth and Cynthia take a trip to London for a few days.
Molly relishes the time alone with her father, but the town gossips are whispering about the mysterious Mr Preston and an unidentified young lady.
Woman's Hour Drama Wives and Daughters Episode 7 07-12-10.mp3
Woman's Hour Drama Wives and Daughters Episode 8 08-12-10.mp3
Episode Nine
Molly discovers some shocking news when she finds Cynthia talking to someone in the woods.
Burdened with yet another secret, she undertakes to help her step-sister with her problem, but she may have bitten off more than she can chew.
Episode Ten
Elizabeth Gaskell left it unfinished, so any dramatiser of the novel is faced with guessing the intended outcome of the story.
Woman's Hour Drama Wives and Daughters Episode 9 09-12-10.mp3
Woman's Hour Drama Wives and Daughters Episode 10 10-12-10.mp3