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This Sporting Life

David Storey's repressed northern drama juxtaposes the trapped wants and needs of protagonist Arthur Machin with the stark aggression of the rugby pitch. Directed by Johnny Vegas.

As part of Radio 4's celebration of British New Wave film and cinema, Johnny Vegas directs a feature-length radio reversioning of This Sporting Life - marking the 50th anniversary of the classic Lindsay Anderson film which starred the young Richard Harris.

This new version is adapted by Andrew Lynch, directly from David Storey's novel. A surprisingly beautiful, yet repressed, northern drama, it contrasts the deep wants and needs of protagonist Arthur Machin with the stark aggression of the rugby pitch.

The sounds are rich - the rugby scrum, the atmosphere of the match, the changing rooms, the dancehall, struggles in the bedroom, arguments by the kitchen hearth.

James Purefoy plays Arthur Machin and Emily Watson is Mrs Hammond, accompanied on the touchline by an ensemble cast including John Thomson, Julia Davis, Sheridan Smith and Philip Jackson.

Commentary for the Rugby League game-play is provided by commentator Ray French, who witnessed some of the filming of the 1963 film with Richard Harris.

Dramatised from David Storey's original novel by Andrew Lynch

Producer: Sally Harrison
Director: Johnny Vegas

A Woolyback production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Sat 13 Jun 2015 14:30

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Credits

Role Contributor
Arthur Machin James Purefoy
Mrs Hammond Emily Watson
Maurice Braithwaite John Thomson
Judith Parkes Sheridan Smith
Mr Weaver Philip Jackson
Mrs Weaver Julia Davis
Dai Peter Temple
Slomer Peter Temple
Lynda Hammond Sophie Wright
Mam (Machin) Gwyneth Powell
Dad (Machin) Wayne Forester
Commentator Ray French
Director Johnny Vegas
Producer Sally Harrison
Adaptor Andrew Lynch
Author David Storey

Broadcasts

  • Sat 31 Aug 2013 14:30
  • Sat 13 Jun 2015 14:30

British New Wave season

Full details of all the programmes in the British New Wave season on Radio 4.