Stella Gibbons - Nightingale Wood

STELLA GIBBONS - NIGHTINGALE WOOD - 1. EPISODE 1 (320kbs-m4a/131mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 4th May 2023

On either side of Nightingale Wood through one idyllic year in the late 1930s, hearts beat and minds scheme, as the dowdy Wither family tries to compete with the glittering Springs.

Bookish Tina Wither is in love with Saxon, her father's handsome and aloof chauffeur.

Her shop girl sister-in-law, Viola, has fallen for Victor Spring, the lord of the manor. And Madge is in love with a dog...

Stella Gibbons' sparkling comedy of manners.

Starring Victoria Hamilton and Francine Chamberlain.

Dramatised in two-parts by Christopher William Hill.

Tina ...... Victoria Hamilton
Mother/Nellie ...... Dinah Stabb
Viola ...... Francine Chamberlain
Victor ...... Simon Bubb
Father/Falger ...... Paul Moriarty
Edna/Fawcuss ...... Adjoh Andoh
Saxon/Bill ...... Adam Billington
Madge ...... Victoria Inez Hardy
Hetty ...... Alex Rivers
Phyllis/Lint ...... Joan Walker
Spurrey/Phillips ...... Ian Masters
Cattyman/Mrs Phillips ...... Judith Coke

Director: Marion Nancarrow

First broadcast in the ‘Neglected Classics' season on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.

STELLA GIBBONS - NIGHTINGALE WOOD - 2. EPISODE 2 (320kbs-m4a/130mb/56mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 5th May 2023

The young, widowed and pretty Viola Wither finally has the chance to escape her stifling in-laws in Essex.

Whilst they are spending a month in the Lakes, she and her sister-in-law Tina escape to Stanton on Sea.

Viola is still pining for the dashing Victor Spring - who has kissed her - and Tina for the beautiful chauffeur, Saxon - likewise.

But is it all hopeless?

Conclusion of Stella Gibbons' sparkling pre-war comedy of manners.

Starring Victoria Hamilton and Dinah Stabb.

Dramatised by Christopher William Hill.

Tina ...... Victoria Hamilton
Mother ...... Dinah Stabb
Viola ...... Francine Chamberlain
Victor ...... Simon Bubb
Father ...... Paul Moriarty
Edna ...... Adjoh Andoh
Saxon ...... Adam Billington
Hetty ...... Alex Rivers
Phyllis ...... Joan Walker
Spurrey ...... Ian Masters
Uncle Frank ...... James Lailey
Mr Brodhurst ...... Gerald McDermott

Director: Marion Nancarrow

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011.