Episode 1

Available for 2 days

Recently widowed, the unscrupulous and beautiful Lady Susan Vernon is determined to scheme her way through high society in the hope of a profitable new match. She’s also after marrying off her unfortunate teenage daughter, Frederica. What sort of welcome can she expect when she pays a visit to her brother and his wife..? 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. Omnibus of the first five of ten parts 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.