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Audiobooks Narrated by Sarah Smart
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John Hurt stars in this BBC radio dramatisation of Gustave Flaubert’s infamous tale of adultery and tragedy
Beautiful Emma meets and marries Doctor Charles Bovary. He's happy for the first time in his life – but Emma is distraught that her marriage lacks the passion and romance of her fantasies.
Dazzled by the splendour of a Marquis’ ball, she longs for excitement and soon becomes infatuated with a young solicitor, Léon Dupuis. But when Dupuis moves away, her memories of him lead her to despair – and into the arms of wealthy landowner, Rodolphe Boulanger.
As she moves from one illicit liaison to another, Emma’s complicated life begins to unravel. Exhausted from her debts and her affairs, she feels she is left with only one course of action…
A French masterpiece of betrayal and wantonness, Flaubert’s notorious novel features Sarah Smart as Emma Bovary, Conrad Nelson as Charles, Jude Akuwudike as Rodolphe and James D’Arcy as Léon.
Cast and credits
Narrator – John Hurt
Charles – Conrad Nelson
Emma – Sarah Smart
Madame Bovary Snr – Brigit Forsyth
Monsieur Rouault/Maître Guillaumin – Russell Dixon
Viscomte/Dr Lariviere – Martin Reeve
Nastasie/Mère Rollet – Julie McCabe
Madame Lefrancois – Siobahn Finneran
Monsieur Homais/Priest – David Fleeshman
Léon Dupuis – James D’Arcy
Monsieur Lheureux – Seamus O’Neill
Félicité – Sarah Jayne Hallworth
Rodolphe Boulanger – Jude Akuwudike
Justin – Sam Curtis
Berthe Bovary – Daisy Jones
Written by Gustave Flaubert
Dramatised by Diana Griffiths from a translation by Margaret Mauldon
Pianist: Stephen Reynolds
Produced by Pauline Harris
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4-15 September 2006
A BBC Radio 4 drama focusing on three very different women who find their lives transformed by taking part in the 1960 trials of the contraceptive pill. Originally broadcast as the 'Woman's Hour Drama' from 17 - 21 January 2011. It's 1960 in Birmingham and Lella Florence is looking for women to help with trials of the contraceptive pill. Married women in a certain age and weight bracket are required. Three very different women decide to take part. Ditsy June's fed up with being under the influence of her overbearing in-laws and would rather save up for a new bathroom than for another baby. Glamorous Jeanette wants to avoid another agonising labour and to keep her wealthy husband happy. And Isobel has her own secret reasons for signing up. All three women couldn't guess the ways their lives will be changed by taking part in the trial and meeting each other. Written with sharp observation and a great sense of the period, this warm witty drama by Caroline and David Stafford shines a light on how iconic and life changing an invention the Contraceptive Pill was. Starring Clare Corbett as Jeanette, Naomi Frederick as Isobel, Sarah Smart as June and Joanna Monro as Lella Florence. Also featured amongst the cast are Sean Baker, Lloyd Thomas, Henry Devas and Iain Batchelor.