Patrick O'Brian's naval epic set in 1809, dramatised by Roger Danes. Starring David Robb as Captain Jack Aubrey and Richard Dillane as Doctor Stephen Maturin. Episode 2 of 3.

Jack Aubrey is promoted (temporarily) to Commodore to lead a squadron of English ships, charged with taking the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Réunion from the French. Jack must succeed against superior odds at sea and on land (where Stephen's subversive skills are invaluable as ever). Yet, in his new role as Commodore, Jack needs subtlety and subterfuge to win over the crews and subordinate captains of his own fleet, including the flamboyant but erratic, Lord Clonfert.

The story is based on a naval campaign in 1809-10 when Britain and France were bitterly engaged in protecting their trade routes around the southern tip of Africa - and the islands of Mauritius and Réunion (east of Madagascar) were viewed as strategic bases.

The Mauritius Command is the fourth novel in Patrick O'Brian's Nelsonic epic series and the sequel to HMS Surprise which was dramatised for Radio 4 in 2008.

Captain Jack Aubrey ................... DAVID ROBB
Doctor Stephen Maturin .......... ...RICHARD DILLANE
Lord Clonfert.................................SAM DALE
Dr McAdam................................. SEAN BAKER
Lt-Col Keating ............ .......THOMAS ARNOLD
Governor Farquhar ..................... .DAVID RINTOUL
Captain Corbett................. ....CHRISTIAN RODSKA
Captain Pym............................... BRIAN BOWLES
Lt Webber....................................PIP CARTER
Lt Seymour ....................... ...MAX DOWLER
Lt Briggs..................................... NYASHA HATENDI
Midshipman Cotton........................LLOYD THOMAS
Producer/director: Bruce Young. Show less