The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe
Emily is trapped within the Castle of Udolpho, powerless to escape. Villainous Gothic tale of dark deeds starring Tracy Wiles.
Emily St Aubert is forced to leave France and go and live with her Aunt and her new husband, Count Montoni, in his isolated castle in Italy.
Before long Emily discovers that the castle is a place of nightmares and Montoni a desperate man who will stop at nothing to terrorise both his wife and his niece.
Ann Radcliffe's Gothic romance revelled in both terrorising and titillating its readers. This was the sensational novel of its era, filled with dark deeds, dastardly villains and supposedly supernatural events.
As with many other Gothic novels, The Mysteries of Udolpho has at its centre a powerless young heroine often trapped in a mysterious location and pitted against an evil villain.
The book revels in exploring the politics of power, pleasure and pain and sexual desire.
Ann Radcliffe felt that terror was superior to horror, which nullified the senses, whereas she preferred to write about the psychological experience of being full of fear and dread manifested through the art of suggestion.
Radcliffe was also unusual in always giving a rational explanation for the strange goings on in her novels.
Adapted by Hattie Naylor
Emily ...... Georgia Groome
Madame Cheron ...... Tracy Wiles
Count Montoni ...... John Dougall
Cavigni ...... Finlay Robertson
Verizzi ...... Luke Thompson
Annette ...... Natasha Cowley
Ludovicio ...... Stephen Wight
Count Morano ...... John Bowler
Sister Agnes ...... Karen Bartke
Abbess ...... Alison Belbin
Director: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2016.
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Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Emily | Georgia Groome |
| Madame Cheron | Tracy Wiles |
| Count Montoni | John Dougall |
| Cavigni | Finlay Robertson |
| Verizzi | Luke Thompson |
| Annette | Natasha Cowley |
| Ludovicio | Stephen Wight |
| Count Morano | John Bowler |
| Sister Agnes | Karen Bartke |
| Abbess | Alison Belbin |
| Director | Sally Avens |
| Author | Ann Radcliffe |
| Adaptor | Hattie Naylor |
Broadcasts
Sat 31 Dec 201614:30BBC Radio 4- Sun 18 Mar 201815:00BBC Radio 4
- Sat 26 Sep 202018:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sun 27 Sep 202000:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 31 Oct 202514:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 31 Oct 202520:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 1 Nov 202504:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
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