Rogue Herries

Synopsis

A BBC Radio adaptation of Hugh Walpole's historical novel, set in the Lake District during the 18th Century1730. Driven by a wild romantic impulse, Francis Herries uproots his family from Doncaster to the lakeland valley of Borrowdale. Accompanied by his housekeeper/mistress, Alice, they settle in his tumbledown ancestral home, Herries, in the shadow of the Cumberland fells.Proud, stubborn and temperamental, Francis cuts himself off from his brother, spurns his long-suffering wife and becomes embroiled in drink and debauchery. When he sells Alice at Keswick Fair, his reputation is ruined, and the locals dub him 'Rogue' Herries. His fate is sealed when he falls for the flame-haired Mirabelle Starr. They are both vagabonds, both outcasts - but she is thirty years his junior, and does not love him.As Francis struggles with his feelings for Mirabelle, his son David and daughter Deborah have battles of their own to fight. Meanwhile, the Jacobite rising has begun, and Bonnie Prince Charlie's rebel army is at the gates of Carlisle...Described by John Buchan as 'the greatest English novel since Jude the Obscure', Rogue Herries is a sweeping family saga full of romance and drama. This powerful adaptation stars Gavin Muir as Francis, Mark Bonnar as David, Jane Slavin as Alice, Deborah Berlin as Mirabelle and Jane Whittenshaw as Deborah, with a full cast including Stephen Thorne, Hugh Dickson and Gerard McDermott.Written by Hugh WalpoleDramatised by Eric PringleTechnical presentation by Rosamund Mason, Colin Guthrie and Andy GarrettDirected by David BlountCastFrancis - Gavin MuirDavid - Mark BonnarMargaret - Janet MawDeborah - Jane WhittenshawAlice Press - Jane SlavinPomfret/Greenship - Stephen ThorneJannice - Shirley DixonRoche/Harcourt/Whitfield - Hugh DicksonStatesman Peel/George Endicott/Harness - Gerard McDermottPedlar/Adam Beatty - Ioan MeredithBenjamin/Anthony Thorne - Chris PavloYoung Deborah - Katie ClarkeYoung David - George MaguireRazeley - Joseph Head/Robert HarperPrince - Robert HarperMirabelle - Deborah BerlinCumberlege - Gordon ReidMrs Cumberledge - Carolyn JonesHetty - Alison PettittSunwood/Bann/Reverend - Christopher ScottDenburn - Keith DrinkelSarah - Becky HindleyMrs Henny - Linda PolanOthers parts played by Alex Lowe and members of the companyFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 April-11 May 1997© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd