The Personal History of David Copperfield

(5 stars; 3 reviews)

Charles Dickens - The Personal History of David Copperfield A ten-part dramatisation of the novel which Charles Dickens described as his 'favourite child’. 1: I Fall into Disgrace Sat 14th Sep 1991, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM The idyllic childhood of a young boy is shattered when his widowed mother remarries. Stars Gary Cady as David Copperfield, Susan Sheridan as David's Mother, Miriam Margolyes as Betsey Trotwood, John Moffatt as Mr Murdstone, Timothy Spall as Ham Peggotty and Mary Wimbush as Mrs Gummidge. 2: I Begin Life on My Own Account Sat 21st Sep 1991, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM Young David Copperfield has had reason to regret his mother's second marriage - his stepfather, Mr Murdstone, is cold and cruel. David is sent away in disgrace to a boarding school in London. The boy's new life at boarding school brings both friendship and hardship. Stars Sheila Hancock, Timothy Spall and Gary Cady. 3: Miss Betsey Trotwood Sat 28th Sep 1991, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM David's mother has died and he is dispatched to London, at the age of 10, to fend for himself and work for Murdstone and Grinby. The boy flees London to dover in search of his only living relative. Stars Miriam Margolyes, David Bamber and Gary Cady. 4. The Question of My Future Sat 5th Oct 1991, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM David has found his Aunt Betsy, and has been adopted by her and her protege, Mr Dick. David and Steerforth's trip to Yarmouth has unforeseen consequences. Stars Miriam Margolyes, Gary Cady and Timothy Spall. 5: Good and Bad Angels Sat 12th Oct 1991, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM David has met Steerforth in London and taken him to Yarmouth, where he introduced him to little Emily. David falls in love, and questions his friendship with Steerforth. Stars Miriam Margolyes, Sheila Hancock and Phil Daniels. 6: The Beginning of a Long Journey Sat 19th Oct 1991, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM David has met and fallen in love with Dora Spenlow. Uriah Heep confides in him that he loves Agnes Wickfield, and hopes to marry her. Emily runs away with Steerforth, and David makes a proposal. Stars Timothy Spall, Joanna Myers and Phil Daniels. 7: Wickfield and Heep Sat 26th Oct 1991, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM Emily has run away with Steerforth. David has become secretly engaged to Dora. Aunt Betsey has lost her fortune through ill-advised investment. David takes a job with his old headmaster, and Dora is feeling worried. Stars Phil Daniels, Gary Cady and Joanna Myers. 8: Mischief Sat 2nd Nov 1991, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM Uriah is now a partner in Wickfield and Heep and has taken on a new clerk, Mr Micawber. Dora's father has died, and she now lives with two spinster aunts, who allow David to call on her. As Dora continues to struggle, David receives news about Emily. Stars Miriam Margolyes, Sheila Hancock and Phil Daniels. 9: My Beloved Dora Sat 9th Nov 1991, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM David and Dora have married. Emily has parted from Steerforth, and Mr Peggotty still searches for her. Dora has lost a baby and is not strong. Mr Micawber confides in David about Uriah Heep, and Dora's health causes concern. Stars Phil Daniels and Sheila Hancock. 10: I Have Loved You All My Life Sat 16th Nov 1991, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM Dora has died. Emily has been reunited with Mr Peggotty, and Uriah's double-dealing has been discovered. As tragedy strikes, David is forced to contemplate his future. Stars Miriam Margolyes, Sheila Hancock and Gary Cady. Dramatised by Betty Davies David Copperfield is the story of a young man's adventures on his journey from an unhappy and impoverished childhood to the discovery of his vocation as a successful novelist. Among the gloriously vivid cast of characters he encounters are his tyrannical stepfather, Mr Murdstone; his brilliant, but ultimately unworthy school-friend James Steerforth; his formidable aunt, Betsey Trotwood; the eternally humble, yet treacherous Uriah Heep; frivolous, enchanting Dora Spenlow; and the magnificently impecunious Wilkins Micawber, one of literature's great comic creations. In David Copperfield - the novel he described as his 'favourite child' - Dickens drew revealingly on his own experiences to create one of the most exuberant and enduringly popular works, filled with tragedy and comedy in equal measure. This edition uses the text of the first volume publication of 1850, and includes updated suggestions for further reading, original illustrations by 'Phiz', a revised chronology and expanded notes. In his new introduction, Jeremy Tambling discusses the novel's autobiographical elements, and its central themes of memory and identity. [goodreads]

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.