The Duchess of Malfi & The White Devil

Productinformatie

One of the great Jacobean playwrights and a contemporary of William Shakespeare, John Webster is best known for his classic revenge tragedies based on real events in Renaissance Italy, The Duchess of Malfi and The White Devil. Both are included here, along with two insightful programmes putting the plays in their historical context, and probing the life of their mysterious author - a shadowy character about whom very little is known.

- When the young, widowed Duchess dares to defy her brothers and marry again, the corrupt duo begin a chilling campaign to destroy her... Intercut with the music of Jimi Hendrix and Laura Marling, this visceral production moves from gentle romanticism to darkest cruelty. Introduced by Professor Emma Smith from Hertford College, Oxford, and starring as the Duchess of Malfi.

- Set in a murky 1950s underworld of shifting alliances, betrayals and sudden violence, this radical reinterpretation of Webster's bloodthirsty tragedy tells the story of Brachiano, who falls violently in love with the married Vittoria Corombona. Desperate to possess her, he arranges the murder of her husband and his wife - but in doing so, he makes a deadly enemy... stars as Brachiano, with as Vittoria.

- Michael Billington talks to acclaimed actresses Eleanor Bron and Juliet Stevenson about The Duchess of Malfi and its relevance today, and discuss their experiences playing the lead role.

- Elizabethan scholar and biographer Muriel Bradbrook delves into Webster's life and plays, exploring how his childhood and family background informed his writing.

Cast and credits
Written by John Webster


The Duchess of Malfi -
Bosola -
Antonio -
Ferdinand -
Cardinal -
Delio/Pilgrim -
Cariola/Julia -
Silvio/Pilgrim -
Doctor -

Abridged and adapted by Pauline Harris and Emma Smith
Directed by Pauline Harris
Original songs arranged and composed by Jules Maxwell and sung by Shaun Dooley and Jules Maxwell
Introduction by Professor Emma Smith from Hertford College, Oxford
First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 11 July 2021


Flamineo -
Vittoria -
Brachiano -
Francisco -
Monticelso -
Ludovico -
Isabella -
Gasparo -
Camillo -
Cornelia -
Marcello -
Giovanni -
Hortensio -
Zanche -
Dr Julio -

Adapted and directed by Marc Beeby
First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 15 August 2010


Presented by Michael Billington
With Eleanor Bron and Juliet Stevenson
Produced by Fiona McLean
First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 16 July 1997


Presented by Muriel Bradbrook
First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 29 October 1980


©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd