The Battle of Savoy Hill

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The Battle of Savoy Hill: Episode 5

Episode 5

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Matters controversial and debateable arise. Reith disagrees with Miss Matheson.

Harold Nicolson is commissioned to give a series of talks on the contemporary novel. John Reith wishes to prevent him from mentioning the new, controversial novel by James Joyce.

The Battle of Savoy Hill explores Hilda Matheson’s working relationships at the BBC in the 1920s, in particular with John Reith the BBC’s first director general. The account also features extracts from the unpublished letters written by Hilda to her lover, the poet and novelist Vita Sackville-West.

Hilda Matheson was a woman of high artistic integrity, with a passion for sharing with listeners the best of what was thought and said. This was to bring her into direct conflict with the man who recruited her to the BBC, John Reith. Both had a Scottish background, and both were the children of men of the cloth. Neither had conventional private lives, although Hilda’s was happier and more fulfilled than Reith’s. 

This remarkable true story takes place at the heart of the newly formed BBC, which operated in its early years from a number of buildings on Savoy Hill between the Thames and the Strand.  

Research assistance from Kate Murphy, author of Behind the Wireless: A History of Early Women at the BBC.  Other key sources include Michael Carney’s biography of Hilda Matheson, Stoker; Asa Briggs’ The History of Broadcasting in the United Kingdom; The Natural Bent by Lionel Fielden; Ariel and All His Quality by R S Lambert; and Ian McIntyre’s biography of John Reith, The Expense of Glory. 

Permission to quote from the letters of Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville West kindly given by Juliet Nicolson and the Estates of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. 

Written by Jill Waters

Narrator: Clare Higgins
Hilda Matheson: Romola Garai
Vita Sackville West: Nancy Carroll 
John Reith: Derek Riddell
Harold Nicolson / RS Lambert : Richard Goulding
Lionel Fielden : Simon Paisley Day


A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

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

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The story of a spectacular falling out at the BBC's first home, Savoy Hill, in 1931.

The story of Hilda Matheson, the BBC's first Director of Talks, and her spectacular falling out with BBC founding Director-General, Lord Reith, in December 1931.

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