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Drama on 4: Stannie and Jim

Stannie and Jim

11/08/2010

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Stannie and Jim

By Simon Littlefield. Fictional exploration of James Joyce's relationship with his brother

By Simon Littlefield. Trieste, 1914: a comic reimagining of James Joyce's relationship with his brother Stanislaus as they fight, write and prepare for war.

by Simon Littlefield
Trieste 1914
A fictional romance is woven round a comic reimagining of James Joyce's
 relationship with his brother Stanislaus  as they fight, write
and prepare for war.
Stannie ..... Andrew Scott
James ..... Aidan Mcardle
Beatrice ..... Alison Pettit
Nora ..... Tessa Nicholson
Baron Ralli ..... Michael Shelford
Captain ..... David Seddon
Dr Silvestri ..... Sam Dale
Irredentist ..... Tony Bell

Director ..... Sally Avens


'It's a terrible thing to have a cleverer older brother,' bemoaned Stanislaus Joyce of his brother James; one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th Century.
The writer, Simon Littlefield takes a playful look at their explosive relationship whilst living in Trieste in the run up to World War One.   Starring Andrew Scott and Aidan Mcardle

When James Joyce went to live in Trieste with his wife Nora, his younger brother Stanislaus joined him there.
However, Stannie soon discovered that life with James in Trieste often consisted of bailing his brother out financially, dragging him out of bars and taking his English classes on when Jim couldn't or wouldn't teach them.
The play takes a comedic look at what it was like to be the brother of a somewhat unreliable genius..   How long can Stannie remain Jim's keeper?   With WW1 approaching, the City of Trieste is a political melting pot and the Italians are keen to win back the City from Austria - Stannie  took up the irredentist cause to make Trieste Italian once more; a cause represented via a fictional relationship with Beatrice, a young irredentist..
 

Andrew Scott is an Olivier Award winning actor .  He has performed in Broadway in 'The Vertical Hour'.  He comes from Dublin.
Aidan Mcardle was recently seen in 'Me and Orson Welles'.  He has played Richard III for the RSC and appeared in the comedy Beautiful People for the BBC as well as the role of Dudley Moore in 'Not Only But Always'.

Simon Littlefield is a regular  writer for The News Quiz and has adapted 'The Rotters Club' and 'The Club of Queer Trades' for Radio 4.

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