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Episode 1

The swashbuckling scholar finds love and encounters a dastardly squire. 18th-century pirate adventure read by Rufus Sewell.

18th Century swashbuckling scholar, Doctor Syn finds love - and encounters a dastardly squire. Read by Rufus Sewell.

Christopher Syn, a brilliant young scholar, is a Doctor of Divinity at Oxford, but his eventual decision to throw away the Bible for the sword in a mad quest for vengeance will influence the rest of his life.

Russell Thorndike's Kent-based adventure featuring pirates, smuggling, highwaymen, duels, wicked squires and beautiful Spanish ladies. Based on the first two novels (published 1935 and 1936) in the seven-title sequence, 'Doctor Syn on the High Seas' and 'Doctor Syn Returns'. Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Writer Russell Thorndike (1885-1972) is less well-known than his sister, the actress Dame Sybil Thorndike, but his Doctor Syn novels hold a special place in the affection of lovers of atmospheric, swashbuckling storytelling everywhere. His novels have been filmed with actors as diverse as George Arliss, Peter Cushing and Patrick McGoohan in the role of Syn, and the Kent village of Dymchurch holds an official 'Day of Syn' every other year, to commemorate a home-grown literary folk hero.

Producer: Lawrence Jackson

Made for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 7 by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Northern Ireland

First broadcast in 2006.

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 27 Feb 2019 01:00

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Broadcasts

  • Mon 1 Sep 2008 09:30
  • Mon 1 Sep 2008 20:30
  • Tue 2 Sep 2008 01:30
  • Mon 7 Dec 2009 13:30
  • Mon 7 Dec 2009 20:30
  • Tue 8 Dec 2009 01:30
  • Mon 20 Sep 2010 13:30
  • Mon 20 Sep 2010 20:30
  • Tue 21 Sep 2010 01:30
  • Mon 3 Mar 2014 06:30
  • Mon 3 Mar 2014 13:30
  • Mon 3 Mar 2014 20:30
  • Tue 4 Mar 2014 01:30
  • Mon 2 May 2016 06:00
  • Mon 2 May 2016 13:00
  • Mon 2 May 2016 20:00
  • Tue 3 May 2016 01:00
  • Tue 26 Feb 2019 06:00
  • Tue 26 Feb 2019 13:00
  • Tue 26 Feb 2019 20:00
  • Wed 27 Feb 2019 01:00