Episode 1

Available for 183 days

Written by Shaun McKenna and based on Henry Fielding’s novel. A funny and romantic tale about a sexy, handsome, honourable and self-deprecating young footman in love with his childhood sweetheart Fanny and his misadventures on the road in the company of his friend, an eccentric parson, Abraham Adams. They are an unlikely Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. An eighteenth century comic romp satirising the manners, morals and fashions of the day. But in this new version the narrative is influenced constantly – and inconstantly – by the relationship between Henry Fielding and his wife Charlotte, who pull the story around between them and give the tale an up-to-date twist. Episode One Harry.....Max Bennett Charlotte.....Lyndsey Marshal Joseph.....Angus Imrie Parson Adams.....Michael Bertenshaw Lady Booby.....Jane Whittenshaw Mistress Sideaway/Slipslop.....Helen Longworth Fanny.....Lauren Cornelius Pounce/George.....Simon Ludders Pelham/Wilson/Driver.....Tony Turner Lady Tittle/Harriet.....Jane Slavin Lady Tattle/Amelia.....Elinor Coleman William/Russell/Stranger.....Stewart Campbell Marmaduke/Inn Keeper.....Joseph Ayre Directed by Tracey Neale. Henry Fielding is writing his new book, his first big prose work, Joseph Andrews. He is short of money. His wife, Charlotte, sits down to help him. Charlotte is a smart, witty woman who is by no means in awe of her famous husband and his literary ambitions. He has always relied on her opinion. She is the first to question whether anyone is interested in elusive references to Aeschylus - or indeed to the best-selling Pamela, a book she found profoundly irritating. Harry and Charlotte laugh, bicker and ultimately spur one another on. As they talk (and often disagree) about the twists and turns of the story, what begins as Henry's satire on contemporary fiction becomes a jointly conceived story about fully rounded, fully realized people trying to do their best in a complicated world. The main characters, despite their names, are three-dimensional with hopes, dreams, virtues and all-too-human failings which is hugely entertaining. The Writer Shaun McKenna's recent radio credits include Eleanor Rising, China Towns, The Forsytes and The Complete Smiley and Home Front. Technical Producer, Keith Graham Production Co-ordinator, Jenny Mendez Producer & Director, Tracey Neale