Nancy Mitford: Pursuit of Love, Love in a Cold Climate & More

BBC Radio adaptations of Nancy Mitford's most famous novels and acclaimed biography of Madame de Pompadour plus bonus programmesThe eldest of the notorious Mitford sisters, Nancy Mitford was renowned for her comic novels of upper-class life. An aristocrat and socialite, she mingled with the 'Bright Young Things' in interwar London, and went on to satirise their foibles in razor-sharp, wickedly funny prose. Collected here are adaptations of her two bestsellers, the semi-autobiographical The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate; her delightful biography of Louis XV's chief mistress; and a pair of fascinating programmes exploring her own unconventional life.The Pursuit of LoveThis bittersweet tale follows the fortunes of Fanny Logan and her eccentric aristocratic cousins, the Radletts, as they embark on disastrous love affairs and misconceived marriages while searching for Mr Right.CastLord Radlett - Rolf LefebvreLady Radlett - Joan MathesonFanny - Susan MaudslayLinda - Jane KnowlesMatt - Brian HewlettCaptain Davey Warbeck - Godfrey KentonEmily - Joan HartTony Kroesig - Michael SpiceLord Merlin - John RyeBessie - Olwen GriffithsMrs Fletcher - Barbara MitchellThe Bolter - Cecile ChevreauOther parts played by Sion Probert, George Raistrick, Alan Rowe and William Sleigh.Adapted by Alan Melville. Produced by Norman Wright.First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February 1974Love in a Cold ClimateA glamorous invitation to a grand party at Hampton - home of the fantastically rich Montdores and their beautiful daughter Polly - brings Fanny into the world of 1920s high society: and in and out of love when the temperature drops... Amanda Root stars in this sparkling sequel to The Pursuit of Love.CastFanny - Amanda RootLady Montdore - Barbara JeffordPolly - Teresa GallagherVeronica - Jenny HoweUncle Davey - Jon StricklandAunt Emily - Patience TomlinsonAunt Sadie - Tessa WorsleyUncle Matthew - Ioan MeredithBoy Dougdale - Stephen CritchlowJassy - Sarah-Jane HolmVictoria - Tilly GauntCedric - William HopeAlfred - Tom BeardDramatised by Claire Luckham. Directed by Marion Nancarrow.First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 May 1999The King's FavouriteBased on Mitford's Madame de Pompadour, this three-part drama vividly evokes the colourful atmosphere of 18th Century Versailles, and Louis XV's tempestuous relationship with his adored mistress, Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour.CastNarrator - Alan MelvilleDuc d'Orleans - Patrick TullMadame de Ventadour - Katherine ParrInfanta Maria of Spain - Elizabeth ProudLouis XV (as a youth) - Nigel AnthonyDuc de Bourbon - James ThomasonThe Queen - Pauline LettsLouis XV - Edward de SouzaLebel, concierge - Robin BrowneMarquise de la Ferte - Margot BoydMonsieur Poisson - Harold KasketMadame d'Etioles - Moira ListerMonsieur d'Etioles - John GabrielLasmartre, a huntsman - David TimsonLady of the Court - Olwen GriffithsProduced by Norman Wright.First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 10-24 December 1971Dearest Evelyn, Darling NancyAdapted from the witty correspondence of lifelong literary friends Evelyn Waugh and Nancy Mitford, this entertaining, gossipy 'conversation in letters' stars Timothy West and Prunella Scales.CastEvelyn Waugh - Timothy WestNancy Mitford - Prunella ScalesAdapted by Alan Bell. Produced by Pete Atkin.First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 December 1993Greatest Lives - Nancy MitfordGrace Dent loves Nancy Mitford for her wit, and for the way in which she showed women that it was possible to live your life fully and unconventionally. Matthew Parris asks what it is about Nancy that so inspires Grace, with the aid of Mitford biographer Lisa Hilton.Produced by Beth O'Dea.First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 January 2013(c) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd