BBC Radio 4 - Classic Serial
Broadcast: Sun 10 July 2011 to Sun 14 August 2011
Six parts x 60 minutes @ 128kbps - 44.1khz - stereo - mp3 - Mystery,Fantasy,
Synopsis
The life and times of Titus Groan, 77th Earl of Gormenghast: a vast stronghold of crumbling masonry steeped in immemorial ritual and inhabited with an extraordinary cavalcade of characters including the kitchen boy, Steerpike, who ruthlessly rises to the upper echelons of dynastic power through mischief and murder.
Based on the novels written by Mervyn Peake and on the recently discovered concluding volume written by his widow, Maeve Gimore. Peake's Gormenghast is both a fantasy world conceived by a unique and vivid imagination and a satirical allegory on the fancies, foibles and phobias of the world around us. The story chronicles Titus' life from birth, through childhood and adolescence to his decision to renounce his title and embark on an exploration of the alien world beyond the confines of his home. It is a journey in search of identity that eventually takes him to a distant island where he encounters the man who is none other than his creator.
The BBC has created six one-hour episodes. Luke Treadaway stars in the title role with a cast of 20 including David Warner, Miranda Richardson, Paul Rhys, Tamsin Greig, James Fleet, William Gaunt, Carl Prekopp and Gerald McDermott.
The History of Titus Groan was commissioned and dramatised by Brian Sibley to mark the centenary of Mervyn Peake's birth - July 1911.
Produced for BBC Radio by Jeremy Mortimer, with the original score by composer Roger Goula, Sound Design by Peter Ringros.
Episode One 'Titus Arrives'
A baby is born: Titus Groan, heir to crumbling stone and ancient ritual, only son of Sepulchrave, the 76th Earl of Gormenghast. Whilst the castle flies into state of high excitement, change may at last come creeping through its empty halls, on the heels of a sly but ambitious kitchen boy named Steerpike.
Titus...Luke Treadaway
Artist...David Warner
Steerpike...Carl Prekopp
Sepulchrave, Earl Of Groan...Paul Rhys
Gertrude, Countess Of Groan...Miranda Richardson
Dr Prunesquallor ...James Fleet
Irma Prunesquallor...Tamsin Greig
Clarice ...Fenella Woolgar
Cora ...Claudie Blakeley
Fuchsia ...Olivia Hallinan
Flay ...Adrian Scarborough
Abiatha Swelter ...Mark Benton
Sourdust...James Lailey
Nannie Slagg ...Jane Whittenshaw
Keda...Susie Riddell
With Simon Bubb, Jonathan Forbes, Peter Polycarpou, Alun Raglan, Alex Tregear
Music by Roger Goula
Directed and produced by Jeremy Mortimer
Episode Two - 'Titus Inherits'
As tension between Mr Flay and Swelter, head chef of Gormenghast, takes a deadly turn, Titus's foster mother Keda is drawn back into her old life amongst the bright carvers. Meanwhile, the first of Steerpike's great plans comes to fruition as he manipulates the ladies Clarice and Cora to great and tragic effect.
Titus ...Luke Treadaway
Artist...David Warner
Steerpike...Carl Prekopp
Sepulchrave, Earl Of Groan...Paul Rhys
Gertrude, Countess Of Groan...Miranda Richardson
Dr Prunesquallor ...James Fleet
Irma Prunesquallor...Tamsin Greig
Clarice ...Fenella Woolgar
Cora ...Claudie Blakley
Fuchsia ...Olivia Hallinan
Flay ...Adrian Scarborough
Abiatha Swelter ...Mark Benton
Sourdust...James Lailey
Nannie Slagg ...Jane Whittenshaw
Keda...Susie Riddell
Barquentine ...Gerard McDermott
With Simon Bubb, Jonathan Forbes, Peter Polycarpou, Alun Raglan, Alex Tregear
Music by Roger Goula
Directed and Produced by Jeremy Mortimer.
[b]Episode Three - 'Titus Discovers'[/b]
Ten year old Titus Groan, 77th Earl of Gormenghast, makes an unexpected discovery in the forest, as the mystery surrounding his father's disappearance deepens. Elsewhere, Irma Prunesquallor grows determined to find a husband, and Steerpike's ambitions may well claim the life of a second member of the Gormenghast household.
Titus...Luke Treadaway
Artist...David Warner
Young Titus...Hugo Docking
Steerpike...Carl Prekopp
Gertrude, Countess Of Groan...Miranda Richardson
Dr Prunesquallor ...James Fleet
Irma Prunesquallor...Tamsin Greig
Bellgrove...William Gaunt
Clarice ...Fenella Woolgar
Cora ...Claudie Blakeley
Fuchsia ...Olivia Hallinan
Flay ...Adrian Scarborough
Barquentine...Gerard McDermott
Nannie Slagg ...Jane Whittenshaw
Keda...Susie Riddell
With the voices of Paul Rhys and Mark Benton
With Jonathan Forbes, James Lailey, Alun Raglan, Alex Tregear
Music by Roger Goula
Directed by David Hunter and produced by Jeremy Mortimer.
Episode Four - 'Titus Departs'
Steerpike takes up his new role as the Master of Ritual, and as Titus grows older, so his suspicions about the former kitchen boy grow. When Steerpike's plans at last begin to unravel, a final, tragic trail of bodies is left in his wake and Titus must make a desperate bid for vengeance and, ultimately, freedom from Gormenghast.
Titus...Luke Treadaway
Artist...David Warner
Young Titus...Hugo Docking
Steerpike...Carl Prekopp
Gertrude, Countess Of Groan...Miranda Richardson
Dr Prunesquallor ...James Fleet
Irma Prunesquallor...Tamsin Greig
Bellgrove...William Gaunt
Clarice ...Fenella Woolgar
Cora ...Claudie Blakley
Fuchsia ...Olivia Hallinan
Flay ...Adrian Scarborough
Barquentine...Gerard McDermott
Nannie Slagg ...Jane Whittenshaw
Keda...Susie Riddell
With Jonathan Forbes, James Lailey, Alun Raglan, Alex Tregear
Music by Roger Goula
Directed by Gemma Jenkins and produced by Jeremy Mortimer.
Episode Five - 'Titus Abroad'
Far from Gormenghast, Titus finds himself in an alien world. Lost in a country policed by machines, he must trust to the good will of an eccentric zookeeper, and the kindness of a beautiful woman named Juno.
Titus...Luke Treadaway
Artist...David Warner
Muzzlehatch...Gerard Murphy
Juno...Maureen Beattie
Acreblade...Alun Raglan
Magistrate...Peter Polycarpou
Drugg...Jonathan Forbes
With Elaine Claxton, James Lailey, Gerard McDermott, Susie Ridell, Alex Tregear
Music by Roger Goula
Directed by David Hunter and produced by Jeremy Mortimer.
Episode Six 'Titus Alive'
Titus attracts attention from the strange but alluring Cheeta, and ultimately becomes the victim of a torturous joke. Rescued by old friends but unable to bear their company any longer, he stumbles into a world uncannily like our own - and is drawn to a mysterious artist, whose presence may at last grant him peace.
Titus...Luke Treadaway
Artist...David Warner
Cheeta...Morven Christie
Muzzlehatch...Gerard Murphy
Juno...Maureen Beattie
Anchor... James Lailey
Acreblade...Alun Raglan
Scientist...Peter Polycarpou
Gertrude... Miranda Richardson
Prunesquallor... James Fleet
With Elaine Claxton, Jonathan Forbes, Gerard McDermott, Susie Ridell, Alex Tregear
Music by Roger Goula
Sound production by Peter Ringrose
Directed and produced by Jeremy Mortimer.
Replies
Thanks again Rick for this offering. I love shows that are episodic and have continuing characters. I recognize some familiar voices 'hear' and again thank you for making my evenings so entertaining.
Bob