Margaret Forster: A BBC Radio Drama Collection

Synopsis

A trio of novels by the award-winning author, dramatised with full casts for BBC RadioCarlisle-born author Margaret Forster wrote over 25 acclaimed novels, as well as numerous memoirs and biographies. She was best known for her classic Georgy Girl, a zeitgeist tale of Swinging Sixties London which was adapted as a hit film and inspired a chart-topping single by The Seekers. Featured here is a 2013 radio dramatisation, together with two compelling stories of family dynamics and female friendship.Georgy Girl – 1965. Twenty-seven-year-old Londoner Georgina ‘Georgy’ Parkin is sparky, funny and financially independent, but has never been asked out on a date, let alone kissed. She longs to meet someone, but when she falls in love with the charming, directionless Jos, complications arise… Starring Lucy Speed, Paul Ready, Stephen Critchlow and Philippa Stanton.Private Papers – When Rosemary finds her mother’s secret account of their family history hidden at the back of a drawer, she is outraged by what she reads – so she decides to add her own version of events… Spanning four decades, from the Second World War to the Falklands War, this insightful tale of mother/daughter relationships and differing perspectives stars Angela Pleasance and Nichola McAuliffe.Lady’s Maid – Arriving in London in 1844, shy Lily Wilson takes up a position as maid to the poet Elizabeth Barrett, and soon becomes her companion and confidante. Across the social barrier, both women learn much about friendship and the vicissitudes of love: and as their bond grows closer, Lily finds herself playing a vital role in Elizabeth’s elopement with Robert Browning…Starring Jane Whittenshaw and Kate Buffery.Cast and creditsWritten by Margaret ForsterGeorgy GirlGeorgy – Lucy SpeedJos – Paul ReadyJames – Stephen CritchlowMeredith – Philippa StantonPeg – Ella SmithTed – Ben CroweDoris – Joanna BrookesDramatised by Rhiannon TiseDirected by Tracey NealeFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2-6 Sep 2013Private PapersPenelope (mother) – Angela PleasenceRosemary – Nichola McAuliffeOliver – Simon ArmstrongGrandmother Butler – June BarrieMike – Oliver RyanCelia – Jenny FunnellJess – Gemma KellyEmily – Jessica LloydAndrew Baylis – Brendan CharlesonDaniel – Ben SullivanDramatised by Juliet AceDirected by Tanya NashFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 Jan-4 Feb 2000Lady’s MaidLily Wilson – Jane WhittenshawElizabeth Barrett Browning – Kate BufferyRobert Browning – Julian WadhamTimothy – David ThorpeFerdinando – Andrew WincottLizzie Crow – Linda ReganMrs Robinson – Zulema DeneSarah/Henrietta – Patience TomlinsonTilly – Sandra James YoungLandor – Geoffrey WhiteheadDramatised by Ed ThomasonDirected by Cherry CooksonFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 Sep 1995© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd