Drama on 3: Fathers and Sons

Original version

BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

Drama on 3

Drama

Series of drama performances, ranging from experimental works to the Classics

James Fleet

George Blagden

Charles Dance

Edward Bennett

Julia McKenzie

Lisa Dillon

Martin Jarvis

Gabrielle Lloyd

Lucy Phelps

Joanna Cassidy

Matilda Wickham

Kieran Hodgson

Darren Richardson

Nigel Anthony

Rosalind Ayres

Drama on 3: Fathers and Sons by Brian Friel

Fathers and Sons by Brian Friel

BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3, Fathers and Sons by Brian Friel

Martin Jarvis and Rosalind Ayres direct a dynamic dramatisation of Turgenev's novel.

Martin Jarvis and Rosalind Ayres direct Fathers and Sons by Brian Friel, a dynamic dramatisation of Turgenev's novel.

'Fathers and Sons' by Brian Friel, after the novel by Ivan Turgenev. Fathers: Charles Dance, James Fleet. Sons: Edward Bennett, George Blagden. 

In Turgenev's prescient 1859 story of generational collision, both young heroes seem, at first, passionate revolutionaries, believing the old Russia should be swept away. But they're unsure what they'd replace it with. This clash of values is dramatic, funny and recognisably up-to-date, with Julia McKenzie as a batty princess, Lisa Dillon a self-searching widow, Gabrielle Lloyd a loving mother and Martin Jarvis as odd-ball Uncle Pavel. 
Turgenev's darkly observant human comedy examines a particular period in Russian history which, in this epic production, foregrounds the eventual political struggle. And Friel, with benefit of hindsight, allows a glimpse of the future. Movingly, the play reminds us that it's the eternal values of love, friendship, loyalty and devotion that will, ultimately - hopefully - survive. 

Nikolai Kirsanov ... James Fleet 
Arkady ... George Blagden 
Vassily Bazarov ... Charles Dance 
Yevgeny ... Edward Bennett 
Princess Olga ... Julia McKenzie 
Anna Sergeevna ... Lisa Dillon 
Pavel ... Martin Jarvis
Arina ... Gabrielle Lloyd
Fenichka ... Lucy Phelps
Dunyasha ... Joanna Cassidy
Katya ... Matilda Wickham
Piotr ... Kieran Hodgeson 
Fedka ... Darren Richardson
Prokofyich and Timofeich ... Nigel Anthony

Musicians: Michael Lan, Stavros Dritsas, Louis Baily, 
Djordje Gajic, Richard Sisson 
Music advisers: Lucy Parham, Richard Sisson
Sound design: Mark Holden

Produced and directed by Martin Jarvis and Rosalind Ayres 
A Jarvis and Ayres Production for BBC Radio 3.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Drama on 3

Fathers and Sons by Brian Friel

Contributors

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 3

About BBC Radio 3