Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont

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Eleanor Bron

Elizabeth Taylor

Robin Brooks

Natalie Steed

Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor: 1. 'If it's not nice, I needn't stay'

1. 'If it's not nice, I needn't stay'

Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor

BBC Radio 4 - Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor, 1. 'If it's not nice, I needn't stay'

The recently widowed Laura Palfrey arrives at the Claremont Hotel. Read by Eleanor Bron.

The recently widowed Laura Palfrey arrives at the Claremont Hotel on the Cromwell Road. Read by Eleanor Bron.

On a rainy January afternoon, the recently widowed Laura Palfrey arrives at the Claremont Hotel on the Cromwell Road. 

Apprehensive but doughty, she settles into her room without a view, and begins to meet the other residents.

For the long-term residents of the Claremont Hotel life revolves around waiting for dinner, the nine o'clock serial and visitors. Mrs Palfrey assures her new friends that her grandson will soon be making an appearance. 

Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece. First published in 1971, it is both tender and sharp in its depiction of old age.

Read by Eleanor Bron.  

Abridged in five parts by Robin Brooks.

Producer: Natalie Steed

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2018.

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Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.

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Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor

1. 'If it's not nice, I needn't stay'

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