BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

15 Minute Drama

Drama

Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations

15 Minute Drama: Stephen Wakelam - Mrs Tolstoy

15 Minute Drama: Stephen Wakelam - Mrs Tolstoy: Episode 2: A Simple Life

Drama: Biographical

Drama: Relationships & Romance

Stephen Wakelam - Mrs Tolstoy

Episode 2

Episode 2: A Simple Life

A Simple Life

BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama, Stephen Wakelam - Mrs Tolstoy, A Simple Life

Leo invites an aristocratic Christian disciple to stay. Is Sofya right not to trust him?

Leo Tolstoy invites an aristocratic Christian disciple to stay. Is pregnant Sofya right not to trust him? Stars Ian McDiarmid.

By Stephen Wakelam. 

A Simple Life: Sofya Tolstoy is pregnant again. Leo invites an aristocratic Christian disciple to stay. Is Sofya right not to trust him?

In his fifties the great writer Leo Tolstoy has a spiritual crisis and converts to Christianity. He stops sleeping with his wife. They have ten children. Taking the vows of poverty and chastity literally Tolstoy wants to give everything away but Sofya has a large family to feed. This is the woman who transcribed 'War and Peace' six times and who fights off rivals on daily basis for a place at his side. For forty eight years, the Tolstoys tormented each other with love and hate. Ian McDiarmid and Haydn Gwynne star in this portrait of a tempestuous marriage.


Sofya Tolstoy ... Haydn Gwynne
Leo Tolstoy ... Ian McDiarmid
Chertkov ... Paul Ritter
Tanya Tolstoy ... Vineeta Rishi



Directed by Claire Grove.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Stephen Wakelam's portrait of the tempestuous marriage between Leo and Sofya Tolstoy

Accessibility links

Programme Index

15 Minute Drama

Stephen Wakelam - Mrs Tolstoy

Episode 2: A Simple Life

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4