91Èȱ¬

The original recording of Stoppard's 1991 drama, commissioned by Radio 3, starring Felicity Kendal and Dame Peggy Ashcroft in her final dramatic role.

Tom Stoppard’s prizewinning play is set in two places and periods: India in 1930 and England in the 1990s. A young poet with a scandalous reputation sits for a portrait whilst in India for her health. 60 years later, the portrait sparks difficult conversations about Indian history and the story behind the painting itself.

This is an archive edition of Drama on 3 from 1991 - to mark the death last month of its director John Tydeman, a former head of 91Èȱ¬ Radio Drama. Tydeman collaborated with Joe Orton (when he was an unknown writer), Tom Stoppard and Caryl Churchill on their radio plays and famously commissioned the very first version of the Diary of Adrian Mole, aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend.

Mrs Swan ….. Peggy Ashcroft
Flora Crewe ….. Felicity Kendal
Nirad Das ….. Sam Dastor
Anish Das ….. Lyndam Gregory
Rajah ….. Saeed Jaffrey
David Durance ….. Simon Treves
Mr Pike ….. William Hootkins
Coomaraswami ..... Renu Setna
The Resident ….. Brett Usher
Nazrul ….. Amerjit Deu
Francis Swan ….. Mark Straker
Nell ….. Emma Gregory
Englishwoman/Reader ….. Auriol Smith

Written by Tom Stoppard
Directed by John Tydeman

Originally aired on 91Èȱ¬ Radio 3 on 21st April 1991