Ann Veronica

Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

HG Wells

Audiobooks

Drama: SciFi & Fantasy

Prolific in many genres, stories by the great English writer.

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 LW

Bill Nighy

Amy Hoggart

Geoffrey Whitehead

Ruth Alexander Rubin

Jonathan Keeble

Henry Devas

Ashley Margolis

Emily Pithon

Victoria Brazier

Pauline Harris

Ellen Dryden

HG Wells: Ann Veronica: 1. A Fresh Start

1. A Fresh Start

BBC Radio 4 Extra - HG Wells, Ann Veronica, 1. A Fresh Start

HG Wells's story of a young woman's quest for liberation, with Bill Nighy and Amy Hoggart.

A spirited, intelligent woman runs away from home to make a fresh start in Edwardian London. Stars Bill Nighy and Amy Hoggart.

Spirited and fiercely intelligent, Ann Veronica is a 21st Century woman in an Edwardian Hobble skirt. 

She runs away from her stiflingly conventional home and her domineering father to make a fresh start in London. 

A lively and surprising story; not least because it's created by HG Wells. 

The storytelling is witty and ironic and Ann Veronica caused a scandal in its time because of the feminist sensibilities of the heroine and also because of the affair Wells was having with Amber Reeves, the woman who inspired the novel's eponymous character. 

This is a relatively unknown and unexpected novel by Wells. The Spectator described Ann Veronica as a "poisonous book..." Although unlikely to offend modern listeners, this novel addresses many feminist versus femininity issues that are still relevant today.

The novel deals with the early stages of what is arguably the most important social development of the 20th Century. the education and financial and sexual liberation of women. And the fact is that, nearly 100 years later, the problem of women who want to marry, have children and pursue a liberating career, is still not easy to solve. 

Wells makes a good case for freer sexual relationships, but Amber Reeves - and later Rebecca West - were the ones whose lives were changed - by bearing and bringing up a child by him.

Dramatised by Ellen Dryden.

Ann Veronica …... Amy Hoggart
Mr Stanley ..…. Geoffrey Whitehead
HG Wells …... Bill Nighy
Manning ..…. Toby Hadoke
Aunt Molly ..…. Ruth Alexander-Rubin
Constance …... Emily Pithon
Miss Miniver ..…. Victoria Brazier
Ramage …... Jonathan Keeble
Teddy ..…. Ashley Margolis

Director:  Pauline Harris

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

HG Wells: Ann Veronica

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Drama

HG Wells's story of a young woman's quest for liberation. Dramatised by Ellen Dryden.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

HG Wells

Ann Veronica

1. A Fresh Start

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra