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5. Sir James

Episode 5 of 10

Lady Susan’s teenage daughter is resentful of the marriage plans she has in mind for her. Stars Harriet Walter.

Frederica, Lady Susan’s teenage daughter, is resentful of the marriage plans she has in mind for her.

Lady Susan's key aims in life are to find a suitably wealthy husband for her teenage daughter, Frederica, and also one for herself…

Lady Susan’s dear friend, Alicia, narrates her story.

Written in 1794 in the form of a series of letters, Jane Austen's magnificent first novella is as subversive as it is charming.

It was published in 1871, 44 years after the author’s death.

Dramatised by Lavinia Murray.

Lady Susan …. Harriet Walter
Mrs Alicia Johnson …. Maggie Steed
Mrs Catherine Vernon …. Imelda Staunton
Lady de Courcy …. Jill Balcon
Reginald de Courcy .... Robert Hands
Sir Reginald de Courcy .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Frederica Vernon …. Michelle Wesson

Piano music composed and played by Julie Cooper.

Director: Jocelyn Boxall

Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1999.

12 hours left to listen

15 minutes

Last on

Sat 13 Dec 202503:30

Broadcasts

  • Fri 12 Dec 202508:30
  • Fri 12 Dec 202513:30
  • Fri 12 Dec 202519:30
  • Sat 13 Dec 202503:30