E. F. Benson: A BBC Radio Collection

Full-cast BBC Radio Dramatisations of Queen Lucia, Lucia in London & more

By: E.F.Benson

Narrated by: Brian Gear, Margot Boyd, Rosalind Ayres, Sir John Gielgud, Aubrey Woods, Pauline Collins, Barbara Jefford, full cast

A collection of social comedies, wry observations of Victorian society and ‘spook stories’ from the great humorist E. F. Benson

E. F. Benson is probably best known for his wickedly satirical ‘Mapp and Lucia’ series. A prolific writer, his works included novels, biographies and supernatural fiction. His versatility is showcased in these dramatisations and readings, which range from the hilariously comic to the horribly chilling.

Queen Lucia – Mrs Emmeline Lucas – or ‘Lucia’, as she prefers to be addressed – vigorously guards her status as the uncrowned Queen of Riseholme. But now a mysterious Indian guru has stolen her throne – can Lucia overthrow him and reign supreme? Barbara Jefford stars as Lucia, with Aubrey Woods as the Narrator, in this scintillating adaptation of the first ‘Mapp and Lucia’ book.

Lucia in London – When Lucia inherits an elegant town house from her Aunt Amy, she sets about trying to conquer 1920s London society. Will she make her mark on the metropolis? This hilarious adaptation of the third book in the ‘Mapp and Lucia’ series once again stars Barbara Jefford and Aubrey Woods.

Secret Lives – The formidable Mrs Mantrip is the doyenne of Durham Square, acknowledged by all as a most desirable address. But when the arrival of Miss Susan Leg threatens to lower the tone, Mrs Mantrip has a fight on her hands. Pauline Collins and Margot Boyd star in this effervescent three-part drama, set in Edwardian London.

As We Were: A Victorian Peepshow – In these five marvellous monologues, read by Sir John Gielgud, we hear Benson’s witty, indiscreet recollections of both his gifted parents and a host of eccentric Victorian luminaries: clergymen, academics, poets, politicians and society hostesses.

The Face – A happily married woman is haunted by a recurring nightmare from her childhood. Praying for release from her mounting dread, she knows she cannot escape the horror that is to come… Rosalind Ayres stars in this terrifying ghost story.

The Terror by Night – A convivial reunion is marred by eerie sensations, inexplicable moods and strange smells, as two friends experience a feeling of indefinable fear… E. F. Benson’s uncanny tale is read by Brian Gear.


First published 1912 (‘The Terror by Night’), 1920 (Queen Lucia), 1924 (‘The Face’), 1927 (Lucia in London), 1930 (As We Were: A Victorian Peepshow), 1932 (Secret Lives)

©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

At Long Last!

I have been a fan of these BBC radio performances of E. F. Benson's comic novels for years. They were must-listening whenever they aired on BBC radio. It was always to my chagrin that the recordings were never available for purchase -- until now!

In addition to bringing to life the sparkling wit of "Lucia in London" and "Queen Lucia," the BBC Radio Collection features the possibly less-well-known but just as amusing "Secret Lives." In the latter, the petty squabbles and games of one-upmanship waged among the hothouse setting in Edwardian Bloomsbury are archetypes that Benson also explored in Riseholme and Tilling, battlegrounds for his societal titans Lucia Pillson and Elizabeth Mapp-Flint. "Secret Lives" also serves as a forerunner of the Nancy Mitford joke about societal niceties that are U- or Non-U. Poor Susan Leg, the heroine of "Secret Lives," quickly betrays her lot in the societal pecking order but it's of no matter given Susan Leg's secret life. The collection also features several of Benson's ghost stories.

The EF Benson BBC Radio Collection is an added treasure to my Audible library. I'd highly recommend it.