During 2021 on Radio 4, Hardy’s Women takes a fresh look at the novels of Thomas Hardy, through the eyes of some of his female protagonists

Two On A Tower

Adapted by Anita Sullivan

With the death of Sir Blount in Southern Africa, Viviette and Swithin are finally able to marry. They marry in secret, deciding to wait for the impoverished Swithin to make his name as an astronomer and for Viviette to observe a period of mourning before they share their love with the world. Tragically, the stars are not aligned. Blount's death has been mis-reported, and Swithin has a secret...

Hardy's scandalised his contemporary readers with this love story across age, class and legal barriers, settting "the emotional history of two infinitesimal lives against the stupendous background of the stellar universe."

CAST

Lady Viviette Constantine - Olivia Poulet
Swithin St Cleeve - Callum Scott Howells
Louis Glanville - Tommy Sim’aan
Tabitha Lark - Scarlett Courtney
Bishop Helmsdale and Mr Cecil - Tony Turner
Parson Torkingham - Keiron Self
Haymoss and Sir Blount - Marc Danbury
Mrs Martin and Mrs Poulter - Jane Slavin

Directed by John Norton

A BBC Cymru Wales production Show less