Daphne du Maurier (1907 – 1989) was one of the most influential authors of the Twentieth Century. Her novels and short stories have been endlessly adapted for the big and small screens – notably Alfred Hitchcock’s films ‘Rebecca’ (which is probably du Maurier’s most enduring work) and ‘The Birds’. Her short story ‘Don’t Look Now’ was made into a masterpiece of 1970s’ cinema featuring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. ‘The BBC Radio Collection’ is a mammoth, 21 and a half hour bonanza of audio adaptations taken from seven of her novels, many short stories and two plays.
These radio plays dip into the archives, spanning the early 1970s to the dawn of the Twenty First Century, though it’s notable that classic voices such as du Maurier’s are now falling out of favour, at least with commissioners if not with listeners. As these plays were produced by the BBC that still knew how to make good drama in those days, the plays are very good, usually showcasing stellar and dependable actors who could effortlessly slip into the world du Maurier had created.
The first play is ‘Jamaica Inn’, adapted from du Maurier’s 1936 novel. Set in Cornwall in the early Nineteenth Century, it follows the fortunes of newcomer Mary Yellan (played by Susannah Corbett) as she realises that a gang of smugglers operate from the inn. John Woodvine (‘Edge of Darkness’) and Mark Straker also star in this 1991 adaptation that captures the drama and claustrophobia of du Maurier’s novel, even if the accompanying music is overly-dramatic and a touch distracting at times.
No collection would be complete without ‘Rebecca’, and that comes next. It is an adaptation that was first broadcast in Christmas 1989, just over half a century after du Maurier’s best-loved novel first captivated readers. The beautiful cadences of, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again,” became one of the most-memorable opening literary lines, and it is recited by Janet Maw at the start of this adaptation. Christopher Cazenove plays Maxim de Winter, the charming anti-hero. This production never loses the necessity to have ‘Rebecca’, the menacing, unseen dominating force of the story, in the foreground of characters’ minds throughout, like a relentless Banquo’s ghost. Character actress Rosalie Crutchley is as dependable as ever as the austere housemaid Mrs Danvers.
Next up is ‘The King's General', which is a 1992 adaptation of du Maurier's 1946 English Civil War period novel. Unusually for the era, the protagonist Honor is a disabled woman who is also a strong and independent character, played with sensitivity by Cathryn Harrison. When roles reverse, she has the opportunity to tend to Richard (played by voice actor specialist Roger Allam) when he is injured during battle. This is a welcome way to experience a neglected du Maurier story that will resonate strongly with contemporary listeners.
Most readers will be more familiar with ‘My Cousin Rachel', which has enjoyed many adaptations over the years, notably with Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton playing the doomed lovers. Du Maurier's Gothic literary favourite was published in 1951. This radio play was broadcast at Christmastime 1993 and features Francesca Annis in the title role, with Adam Godley taking on the role of her lover Philip.
The next instalments are a journey back through the archives to the early 1970s, and there is a notable drop in sound quality. However, it is worth persevering for ‘The Scapegoat' and ‘The House on the Strand' because they contain great vocal performances by fine actors of that generation. The former is narrated by Hugh Burden, who had been a memorable villain in ‘Doctor Who', and also features Beatrix Lehmann. The latter has a leading role for much-loved Scottish actor Ian Richardson (‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' and the original ‘House of Cards').
This is followed up by a return to the 1990s for ‘The Years Between', du Maurier's post-war stage play. Diana Quick, forever associated with the role of Julia Flyte in ‘Brideshead Revisited', plays the lead. Set during the war, the intriguing premise concerns the difficulty for the protagonist of moving on and rebuilding her life when her husband is reported missing presumed dead, but his body is never found. Just as she believes the past has been left behind, it comes back to haunt her…
‘September Tide', from 2005, is an adaptation of du Maurier's 1949 novel and features Paula Wilcox, best-known for her roles in popular British sitcoms, in the lead. From the same era is an adaptation of the short story ‘The Birds', so brilliantly brought to life on the big screen by Alfred Hitchcock. The always-excellent Neil Dudgeon (‘Midsomer Murders') takes the lead in the classic horror story.
There are also narrations of short stories. Anna Massey (‘Peeping Tom') reads ‘The Old Man' in an 1988 recording. A prolific narrator of audio books, she is the perfect choice to bring to life this creepy, spooky tale of an odd couple and their disappeared children. You'll also find a dramatisation of ‘The Blue Lenses' and ‘The Little Photographer', which go hand in hand. A 1974 adaptation of ‘The Apple Tree' features Charles Gray (‘Diamonds are Forever', ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show'). A recording of ‘Panic' from the same era features Dinsdale Landen. A collection of half-hour short plays produced by Derek Hoddinott are included. A contemporary version of ‘Don't Look Now', dramatised by Katie Hims is also part of the collection. The recordings round out with short stories from early in Daphne du Maurier's career which showcase an emerging talent. The themes would often find their way into her better-known and fondly-remembered works. They are read by Nigel Havers, whose clipped, received-pronunciation voice is the perfect choice to recreate the era in which the stories were written.
Although there is variation in quality between the instalments comprising ‘Daphne du Maurier – the BBC Radio Collection’, the mammoth audiobook is an excellent reminder of why du Maurier is an important and loved writer. She brought a literary flair to genres such as horror and Gothic romance, and she created memorable leading female characters. A prolific writer, du Maurier created so many brilliant, haunting and memorable stories. Containing performances from well-known actors from past and present, ‘Daphne du Maurier – the BBC Radio Collection’ is a rich feast for all fans of the writer's work.
Publisher: Penguin Random House UK audio Publication date: 21st November 2024 Buy ‘Daphne du Maurier – the BBC Radio Collection’
