The Duchess of Malfi & The White Devil

Synopsis

A BBC radio full-cast drama collection of John Webster's twin masterpieces, plus two documentaries examining their importance and enduring popularityOne of the great Jacobean playwrights and a contemporary of William Shakespeare, John Webster is best known for his classic revenge tragedies based on real events in Renaissance Italy, The Duchess of Malfi and The White Devil. Both are included here, along with two insightful programmes putting the plays in their historical context, and probing the life of their mysterious author - a shadowy character about whom very little is known.The Duchess of Malfi - When the young, widowed Duchess dares to defy her brothers and marry again, the corrupt duo begin a chilling campaign to destroy her... Intercut with the music of Jimi Hendrix and Laura Marling, this visceral production moves from gentle romanticism to darkest cruelty. Introduced by Professor Emma Smith from Hertford College, Oxford, and starring Pippa Nixon as the Duchess of Malfi.The White Devil - Set in a murky 1950s underworld of shifting alliances, betrayals and sudden violence, this radical reinterpretation of Webster's bloodthirsty tragedy tells the story of Brachiano, who falls violently in love with the married Vittoria Corombona. Desperate to possess her, he arranges the murder of her husband and his wife - but in doing so, he makes a deadly enemy... Shaun Dingwall stars as Brachiano, with Anna Maxwell Martin as Vittoria.Role Play - Michael Billington talks to acclaimed actresses Eleanor Bron and Juliet Stevenson about The Duchess of Malfi and its relevance today, and discuss their experiences playing the lead role.The Skull Beneath the Skin - Elizabethan scholar and biographer Muriel Bradbrook delves into Webster's life and plays, exploring how his childhood and family background informed his writing.Cast and creditsWritten by John WebsterThe Duchess of MalfiThe Duchess of Malfi - Pippa NixonBosola - Shaun DooleyAntonio - Sandy GriersonFerdinand - Alexander CobbCardinal - Jonathan KeebleDelio/Pilgrim - Kevin HarveyCariola/Julia - Jenny PlattSilvio/Pilgrim - Rupert HillDoctor - Lloyd HutchinsonAbridged and adapted by Pauline Harris and Emma SmithDirected by Pauline HarrisOriginal songs arranged and composed by Jules Maxwell and sung by Shaun Dooley and Jules MaxwellIntroduction by Professor Emma Smith from Hertford College, OxfordFirst broadcast BBC Radio 3, 11 July 2021The White DevilFlamineo - Patrick KennedyVittoria - Anna Maxwell MartinBrachiano - Shaun DingwallFrancisco - Peter WightMonticelso - Sean BakerLudovico - Harry MyersIsabella - Christine KavanaghGasparo - David SeddonCamillo - Sam DaleCornelia - Frances de la TourMarcello - Michael ShelfordGiovanni - Lloyd ThomasHortensio - Tony BellZanche - Pippa Bennett WarnerDr Julio - Jude AkuwudikeAdapted and directed by Marc BeebyFirst broadcast BBC Radio 3, 15 August 2010Role PlayPresented by Michael BillingtonWith Eleanor Bron and Juliet StevensonProduced by Fiona McLeanFirst broadcast BBC Radio 3, 16 July 1997The Skull Beneath the SkinPresented by Muriel BradbrookFirst broadcast BBC Radio 3, 29 October 1980©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd