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It's the day of the Easter Charity Ball. A mysterious admirer sends Cynthia a gift, and Hyacinth sees an opportunity. Stars Julia Hills.

Episode Six

It's the day of the Easter Charity Ball and Cynthia receives a gift from a mysterious admirer. Hyacinth see the dance as an opportunity to introduce her daughter to a number of possible suitors. Elizabeth Gaskell's classic novel of everyday provincial life in the 1820s is dramatised by Theresa Heskins.

Lily Gaskell . . . . . Deborah McAndrew
Molly Gibson . . . . . Emerald O'Hanrahan
Dr Gibson . . . . . Jamie Newall
Roger Hamley . . . . . Gunnar Cauthery
Cynthia . . . . . Maya Barcot
Hyacinth . . . . . Julia Hills
Lady Harriett . . . . . Cathy Sara
Dorothy Browning . . . . . Marian Kemmer
Phoebe Browning . . . . . Susan Jeffrey
Mr Preston . . . . . Timothy Watson

Produced and Directed by Peter Leslie Wild

Notes

Wives and Daughters was written in the 1860s and serialised in the Cornhill Magazine. It is set in the 1820s and deals to a large extent with the position of women in Society. Elizabeth Gaskell left it unfinished, so any dramatiser of the novel is faced with guessing the intended outcome of the story.

Theresa Heskins previously adapted Lady Audley's Secret for the Woman's Hour serial, and has adapted Bleak House and Great Expectations for the New Vic Theatre, North Staffordshire, where she is Artistic Director.

15 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Mon 6 Dec 2010 10:45
  • Mon 6 Dec 2010 19:45
  • Mon 17 Mar 2014 14:00

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