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Field Notes: The Peregrinations of a Most Musical Irishman

4 Extra Debut. 1832: Composer John Field leaves Moscow to tour Europe, with a son he barely knows. Alistair McGowan stars in his own drama.

Alistair McGowan stars in his own drama about the prodigiously gifted - and prodigiously partying - John Field.

John was the Irish composer and pianist who invented the nocturne.

It's May 1832: John leaves his Moscow home to begin his first - and last - tour of Europe.

He takes with him, the illegitimate teenage son he barely knows.

John Field/Male Nurse ...... Alistair McGowan
Leonov ...... Kieran Hodgson
Mlle Charpentier/ Countess Shumova ...... Charlotte Page
Oleg/ Italian doctor ...... Ewan Bailey
Percherette/ Vera ...... Scarlett Brookes
Count Shumov/ Highwayman 1 ...... Brian Protheroe
Chopin/ Polish Concert Promoter ...... Rafael Ferenc
Grace Field ...... Susan Jameson
Clementi/ Mister Rikov ...... Sean Baker
Highwayman 2/ French Theatre manager ...... Sargon Yelda
Madame Rikov/ Mary ...... Adie Allen
Concert Promoter ...... Nick Underwood

Director: Emma Harding

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2016.

45 minutes

Last on

Wed 15 Jan 202505:00
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Credits

John FieldAlistair McGowan
Male NurseAlistair McGowan
LeonovKieran Hodgson
Mlle CharpentierCharlotte Page
Countess ShumovaCharlotte Page
OlegEwan Bailey
Italian DoctorEwan Bailey
PercheretteScarlett Brookes
VeraScarlett Brookes
Count ShumovBrian Protheroe
Highwayman 1Brian Protheroe
ChopinRafael Ferenc
Polish Concert PromoterRafael Ferenc
Grace FieldSusan Jameson
ClementiSean Baker
Mister RikovSean Baker
Highwayman 2Sargon Yelda
French Theatre ManagerSargon Yelda
Madame RikovAdie Allen
MaryAdie Allen
Concert PromoterNick Underwood
DirectorEmma Harding
WriterAlistair McGowan

Broadcasts

  • Tue 17 May 201614:15
    BBC Radio 4
  • Tue 14 Jan 202515:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 14 Jan 202521:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 15 Jan 202505:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra