A story of a man of character by Thomas Hardy.
Dramatised for broadcasting by Desmond Hawkins
Produced by Owen Reed in the BBC's West of England studios.
When Elizabeth-Jane left High Place Hall she may well have reflected on the calamitous change in the fortunes of Michael Henchard since she had met him first as the prosperous Mayor, with a thriving business that promised to expand yet further under the management of the capable young Scot, Donald Farfrae. By dismissing Farfrae Henchard started a dangerous trade rivalry, which deepened when Lucetta - ÂÂwhom Henchard expected to marry - began to fall in love with Farfrae. In the contest between the two men Henchard fought recklessly and without much scruple, and the passing of his term of office as Mayor saw him heading for financial and moral bankruptcy. In the effort to conquer Farfrae he gambled on the harvest prices as wildly as he gambled on Lucetta's fear that he might divulge the scandal of her past life. For a precarious moment he had the mastery, and then the reappearance of the furmity woman shattered his reputation. Further blows to his self-esteem followed in quick succession: Lucetta secretly married Farfrae, and business creditors began to threaten. The whole fabric of Michael Henchard's power was swiftly crumbling.
(Nigel Stock is appearing in "Seagulls Over Sorrento" at the Apollo Theatre, London)
(To be repeated on Thursday at 3.10)
