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Afternoon Reading

Susie Maguire - Portrait

Episode 1: The Painter's Story

Duration: 15 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 Extra

A mystery unfolds in Susie Maguire's trilogy of stories that examine a portrait from three perspectives. The painter's story is read by Burn Gorman.

Tom first lays eyes on Nic in the audience of an art house cinema. She smells of money and he knows she is out of his league, but he decides to ask if he can paint her. She succumbs and finally enters the arena of his scruffy studio. There's a power shift; she may be the femme fatale whose husband owns the building, but this is Tom's domain, and she is the one feeling nervous. He knows all the tricks to put her at her ease. He's used to the idle chit chat between artist and model, the questions about commissions, the subtle pleas for reassurance. He rashly agrees to her request not to exhibit the painting when it's finished, but hopes that once she sees the finished piece, she'll be flattered and have a change of heart. He is already secretly planning further portraits of her as he circles her with his camera snapping away, adjusting her position now and then. Will he keep his promise to keep her portrait for his eyes only, and who is really studying who?

Producer: Sarah Langan. Show less

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