A trio of novels by the award-winning author, dramatised with full casts for BBC Radio

Carlisle-born author Margaret Forster wrote over 25 acclaimed novels, as well as numerous memoirs and biographies. She was best known for her classic Georgy Girl, a zeitgeist tale of Swinging Sixties London which was adapted as a hit film and inspired a chart-topping single by The Seekers. Featured here is a 2013 radio dramatisation, together with two compelling stories of family dynamics and female friendship.

Georgy Girl – 1965. Twenty-seven-year-old Londoner Georgina ‘Georgy’ Parkin is sparky, funny and financially independent, but has never been asked out on a date, let alone kissed. She longs to meet someone, but when she falls in love with the charming, directionless Jos, complications arise… Starring Lucy Speed, Paul Ready, Stephen Critchlow and Philippa Stanton.

Private Papers – When Rosemary finds her mother’s secret account of their family history hidden at the back of a drawer, she is outraged by what she reads – so she decides to add her own version of events… Spanning four decades, from the Second World War to the Falklands War, this insightful tale of mother/daughter relationships and differing perspectives stars Angela Pleasance and Nichola McAuliffe.

Lady’s Maid – Arriving in London in 1844, shy Lily Wilson takes up a position as maid to the poet Elizabeth Barrett, and soon becomes her companion and confidante. Across the social barrier, both women learn much about friendship and the vicissitudes of love: and as their bond grows closer, Lily finds herself playing a vital role in Elizabeth’s elopement with Robert Browning…Starring Jane Whittenshaw and Kate Buffery.


Cast and credits
Written by Margaret Forster

Georgy Girl
Georgy – Lucy Speed
Jos – Paul Ready
James – Stephen Critchlow
Meredith – Philippa Stanton
Peg – Ella Smith
Ted – Ben Crowe
Doris – Joanna Brookes

Dramatised by Rhiannon Tise
Directed by Tracey Neale

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2-6 Sep 2013

Private Papers
Penelope (mother) – Angela Pleasence
Rosemary – Nichola McAuliffe
Oliver – Simon Armstrong
Grandmother Butler – June Barrie
Mike – Oliver Ryan
Celia – Jenny Funnell
Jess – Gemma Kelly
Emily – Jessica Lloyd
Andrew Baylis – Brendan Charleson
Daniel – Ben Sullivan

Dramatised by Juliet Ace
Directed by Tanya Nash

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 Jan-4 Feb 2000

Lady’s Maid
Lily Wilson – Jane Whittenshaw
Elizabeth Barrett Browning – Kate Buffery
Robert Browning – Julian Wadham
Timothy – David Thorpe
Ferdinando – Andrew Wincott
Lizzie Crow – Linda Regan
Mrs Robinson – Zulema Dene
Sarah/Henrietta – Patience Tomlinson
Tilly – Sandra James Young
Landor – Geoffrey Whitehead

Dramatised by Ed Thomason
Directed by Cherry Cookson

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 Sep 1995

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