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E.F. Benson: A BBC Radio Collection
A collection of social comedies, wry observations of Victorian society and ‘spook stories’ from the great humorist E. F. Benson
E. F. Benson is probably best known for his wickedly satirical ‘Mapp and Lucia’ series. A prolific writer, his works included novels, biographies and supernatural fiction. His versatility is showcased in these dramatisations and readings, which range from the hilariously comic to the horribly chilling.
Queen Lucia – Mrs Emmeline Lucas – or ‘Lucia’, as she prefers to be addressed – vigorously guards her status as the uncrowned Queen of Riseholme. But now a mysterious Indian guru has stolen her throne – can Lucia overthrow him and reign supreme? Barbara Jefford stars as Lucia, with Aubrey Woods as the Narrator, in this scintillating adaptation of the first ‘Mapp and Lucia’ book.
Lucia in London – When Lucia inherits an elegant town house from her Aunt Amy, she sets about trying to conquer 1920s London society. Will she make her mark on the metropolis? This hilarious adaptation of the third book in the ‘Mapp and Lucia’ series once again stars Barbara Jefford and Aubrey Woods.
Secret Lives – The formidable Mrs Mantrip is the doyenne of Durham Square, acknowledged by all as a most desirable address. But when the arrival of Miss Susan Leg threatens to lower the tone, Mrs Mantrip has a fight on her hands. Pauline Collins and Margot Boyd star in this effervescent three-part drama, set in Edwardian London.
As We Were: A Victorian Peepshow – In these five marvellous monologues, read by Sir John Gielgud, we hear Benson’s witty, indiscreet recollections of both his gifted parents and a host of eccentric Victorian luminaries: clergymen, academics, poets, politicians and society hostesses.
The Face – A happily married woman is haunted by a recurring nightmare from her childhood. Praying for release from her mounting dread, she knows she cannot escape the horror that is to come… Rosalind Ayres stars in this terrifying ghost story.
The Terror by Night – A convivial reunion is marred by eerie sensations, inexplicable moods and strange smells, as two friends experience a feeling of indefinable fear… E. F. Benson’s uncanny tale is read by Brian Gear.
First published 1912 (‘The Terror by Night’), 1920 (Queen Lucia), 1924 (‘The Face’), 1927 (Lucia in London), 1930 (As We Were: A Victorian Peepshow), 1932 (Secret Lives)
E. F. Benson is probably best known for his wickedly satirical ‘Mapp and Lucia’ series. A prolific writer, his works included novels, biographies and supernatural fiction. His versatility is showcased in these dramatisations and readings, which range from the hilariously comic to the horribly chilling.
Queen Lucia – Mrs Emmeline Lucas – or ‘Lucia’, as she prefers to be addressed – vigorously guards her status as the uncrowned Queen of Riseholme. But now a mysterious Indian guru has stolen her throne – can Lucia overthrow him and reign supreme? Barbara Jefford stars as Lucia, with Aubrey Woods as the Narrator, in this scintillating adaptation of the first ‘Mapp and Lucia’ book.
Lucia in London – When Lucia inherits an elegant town house from her Aunt Amy, she sets about trying to conquer 1920s London society. Will she make her mark on the metropolis? This hilarious adaptation of the third book in the ‘Mapp and Lucia’ series once again stars Barbara Jefford and Aubrey Woods.
Secret Lives – The formidable Mrs Mantrip is the doyenne of Durham Square, acknowledged by all as a most desirable address. But when the arrival of Miss Susan Leg threatens to lower the tone, Mrs Mantrip has a fight on her hands. Pauline Collins and Margot Boyd star in this effervescent three-part drama, set in Edwardian London.
As We Were: A Victorian Peepshow – In these five marvellous monologues, read by Sir John Gielgud, we hear Benson’s witty, indiscreet recollections of both his gifted parents and a host of eccentric Victorian luminaries: clergymen, academics, poets, politicians and society hostesses.
The Face – A happily married woman is haunted by a recurring nightmare from her childhood. Praying for release from her mounting dread, she knows she cannot escape the horror that is to come… Rosalind Ayres stars in this terrifying ghost story.
The Terror by Night – A convivial reunion is marred by eerie sensations, inexplicable moods and strange smells, as two friends experience a feeling of indefinable fear… E. F. Benson’s uncanny tale is read by Brian Gear.
First published 1912 (‘The Terror by Night’), 1920 (Queen Lucia), 1924 (‘The Face’), 1927 (Lucia in London), 1930 (As We Were: A Victorian Peepshow), 1932 (Secret Lives)
13 pages, Audible Audio
Published November 7, 2024
About the author
E.F. Benson
1,029 books354 followersEdward Frederic "E. F." Benson was an English novelist, biographer, memoirist, archaeologist and short story writer.
E. F. Benson was the younger brother of A.C. Benson, who wrote the words to "Land of Hope and Glory", Robert Hugh Benson, author of several novels and Roman Catholic apologetic works, and Margaret Benson, an author and amateur Egyptologist.
Benson died during 1940 of throat cancer at the University College Hospital, London. He is buried in the cemetery at Rye, East Sussex.
Last paragraph from Wikipedia
E. F. Benson was the younger brother of A.C. Benson, who wrote the words to "Land of Hope and Glory", Robert Hugh Benson, author of several novels and Roman Catholic apologetic works, and Margaret Benson, an author and amateur Egyptologist.
Benson died during 1940 of throat cancer at the University College Hospital, London. He is buried in the cemetery at Rye, East Sussex.
Last paragraph from Wikipedia
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