Death in the Fifth Position

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 FM

Jamie Parker

Gore Vidal

Jill Waters

Death in the Fifth Position by Gore Vidal: Episode 9

Episode 9

Death in the Fifth Position by Gore Vidal

BBC Radio 4 - Death in the Fifth Position by Gore Vidal, Episode 9

McCarthyite New York. Gore Vidal entertains with the mysterious death of a ballerina.

With the body count at three. Sargeant is desperate to find out the truth and is interviewing suspects. Read by Jamie Parker.

With McCarthyism reaching fever pitch in 1950s America, Peter Sargeant - a dashing PR man - is hired by the Grand St Petersburg ballet to fend off rumours that their star choreographer is a communist. But New York's ballet world is shocked when, on the opening night, the lead ballerina plummets to her death from a wire, maintaining her classical pose in the 'fifth position' as she hits the floor.
 
Gore Vidal's earlier novel The City and the Pillar was published in 1948 when the author was 23 years old. Its central story of a homosexual relationship caused such a scandal that the New York Times book critic refused to review any book by Gore Vidal. Others followed his lead and the author found himself at a loss as to how to continue to earn a living through his pen until a publisher suggested that he turn his hand to writing under a different name. Death In the Fifth Position was published in 1952 - the first of a trio of entertainments featuring Peter Cutler Sargeant II as a publicist turned private eye.
 
Episode 9:
The body count has reached three. Peter Sargeant is desperate to find out the truth and has begun to interview his list of suspects. But the clock is ticking as Detective Gleason seems about to make an arrest and, despite the lack of evidence, Peter’s girlfriend Jane Garden looks to be the likely candidate. Peter has already talked to Anna Eglanova who is convinced that Alyosha had a hand in Ella's death. Next he visits Jed Wilbur at home.
 
Written by Edgar Box (Gore Vidal)
Read by Jamie Parker
 
Abridged and Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

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

Audiobooks

Podcasts

Drama: Thriller

Mystery thriller by Gore Vidal, writing as Edgar Box, set in the world of ballet

Mystery thriller by Gore Vidal, writing as Edgar Box, in which New York City PR consultant Peter Cutler Sargeant II finds himself investigating the death of a leading ballerina.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Death in the Fifth Position by Gore Vidal

Episode 9

Contributors

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4