1. To Those who Appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine

While at their Shaftesbury Avenue club on a rainy February day in London, Rosie and Lottie discover they’ve been reading the same advertisement in The Times newspaper:

“To Those who Appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine. Small mediaeval Italian Castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April.”

Can they seize this opportunity and escape to the sunny Italian Riviera or is it just an impossible dream?

High above the bay on the Italian Riviera stands San Salvatore, a mediaeval castle.

Also beckoned to this haven are Mrs Fisher and Lady Caroline Dester.

Each woman craves escape.

Lulled by the Mediterranean spirit, they gradually shed their skins and discover a harmony each of them has longed for.

Elizabeth von Arnim’s novel, first published in 1922.

Dramatised in five parts by Vivienne Allen.

Narrated by Jenny Funnell.

Lotty Wilkins …. Pippa Nixon
Rose Arbuthnot …. Lyndsey Marshall
Lady Caroline ‘Scrap’…. Rhiannon Neads
Mrs Fisher …. Joanna Monro
Mellersh …. Stephen Critchley
Domenico …. Chris Pavlo
Briggs …. Neet Mohan

Director: Tracey Neale

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2015