The Exorcist

Summary

Robert Glenister and Ian McDiarmid star in a gripping BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of William Peter Blatty’s classic horror novel. Summoned to a case of apparent possession, Father Karras is at first sceptical then horrified. The victim - a 12-year-old girl named Regan - seems to be controlled by a malignant supernatural force that makes her swear, blaspheme, scream in agony and perform appalling acts. Attempting to find a rational explanation for the girl’s behaviour, Karras tries to talk to Regan only to find himself locking horns with the demon inside her head. Its many voices mock him, tormenting him with his weakness, doubts and buried guilt. With his faith in God and humanity tested to the limit, Karras turns to the ultimate solution: exorcism.... The film version of The Exorcist is widely considered to be one of the most terrifying movies ever made. This new, full-cast radio drama is just as chilling, suspenseful and shocking while also retaining the depth and psychological complexity of Blatty’s original novel. Adapted by Sony Award-winning dramatist Robert Forrest, it stars Robert Glenister as Karras, Alexandra Mathie as the Demon and Ian McDiarmid as Merrin.

©2015 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2015 BBC Worldwide Ltd

Howards End

Summary

Spring 1905, England.  When Helen Schlegel goes to stay at Howards End - the country home of the Wilcox family, her own life, along with that of her sister Margaret, is changed forever. This is the tale of three families at the beginning of the 20th century: the rich Wilcoxes, the gentle, idealistic Schlegels and the lower-middle class Basts.  Frequently cited as E. M. Forster's finest work, Howards End brilliantly explores class warfare, conflict and the English character. This BBC dramatisation skilfully brings the classic novel to life. Starring John Hurt as the Narrator, Lisa Dillon as Margaret Schlegel, Jill Cardo as Helen Schlegel, Tom Ferguson as Tibby Schlegel, Alexandra Mathie as Aunt Juley, Malcolm Raeburn as Henry Wilcox, Ann Rye as Ruth Wilcox and Joseph Kloska as Charles Wilcox.

©2018 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2018 BBC Worldwide Ltd

Castles in Spain

Summary

A bookseller turns P. I. in this intriguing five-part BBC radio thriller. Grahame Mayer specialises in selling books, not solving mysteries. So when he’s asked to play private investigator and track down a soldier from the Spanish Civil War, he wonders if it’s some sort of test - and if so, what will happen if he fails.... Armed with fresh information, he is sent to Glasgow on the trail of Jock Cameron, and a meeting with a former nurse who knew him back in Spain furnishes Grahame with further clues. But despite these new leads, the elusive Jock remains tantalisingly out of reach. Will a series of postcards, some holy pictures and an encounter with a pop star enable the reluctant sleuth to hunt Cameron down - or will it take a man’s death to release Mayer from his quest? Created by Edward Boyd, who wrote for a number of BBC TV shows including Z-Cars, this enthralling crime drama stars Ray Brooks, with a supporting cast including Garard Green, John Hannah and Alexandra Mathie. Written by Edward Boyd Produced at BBC Scotland by Patrick Rayner Cast Grahame Mayer……………………Ray Brooks Coleman……………………John Westbrook Teresa……………………Alexandra Mathie Forrest……………………Garard Green Hemingway……………………William Hope Cameron……………………John Hannah/Joseph Greig Rainsford……………………Jonathan Tafler Inspector McNeill……………………Carey Wilson Norah McGill……………………Sybil Wintrope Henderson……………………Joseph Brady Arnold……………………Ian Thompson Receptionist……………………Jennifer Piercey Man on plane/Millhouse……………………William Hope Miss McLauchlan……………………Yvonne Gilan Pat……………………Richard Jamieson Paula……………………Caroline Guthrie Waiter/Taxi driver……………………Gordon Reid Nuke……………………John McGlynn Apollyon……………………Billy McColl Dr Lovat……………………Roy Hanlon First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 October-20 November 1987

©2019 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2019 BBC Worldwide Ltd