Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Patricia Routledge

Denys Hawthorne

Flora Robson

David March

Maurice Denham

Ronald Herdman

Dorothy Tutin

Haydn Jones

Alexander John

Alan Dudley

Peter Pratt

William Ingram

Barbara Mitchell

Christopher Bidmead

Denis Quilley

Three Full-Cast Vintage BBC Radio Productions

Three of the ever-popular Sheridan’s finest plays 
 
Born in Dublin in 1751, Richard Brinsley Sheridan was a theatre impresario, statesman and the most celebrated playwright of his time. His brilliantly witty comedies of manners have become part of the literary canon, and are frequently performed around the world. This collection comprises three classic radio productions of his best works, performed by star casts including Barbara Mitchell, Rolf Lefebvre, Dorothy Tutin, Flora Robson, Dennis Quilley and Patricia Routledge. 
 
The School For Scandal – Collated from two manuscripts corrected by Sheridan himself, this 1967 radio version of his most famous play introduces us to gossip-monger Lady Sneerwell, who loves nothing more than spreading slander and ruining reputations. When she sets her sights on the young, rakish Charles Surface, the stage is set for scandal... 
 
The Rivals – Set in 18th century Bath, where the wealthy and fashionable come to take the waters, Sheridan’s sparkling debut centres around young lovers Jack Absolute and Lydia Languish. Knowing his beloved is resolved never to marry a rich man, the aristocratic Jack pretends to be the poor soldier Ensign Beverley. Lydia is overjoyed at the thought of eloping with Beverley under the nose of her guardian, Mrs Malaprop – but how will she react when her romantic dreams are shattered? 
 
The Duenna – Spanish nobleman Don Jerome wishes his daughter to marry the wealthy merchant Isaac Mendoza. Louisa, however, has given her heart to the impoverished Don Antonio. With the help of her duenna, can she secure her true love? This comic operetta features an early performance from Dame Patricia Routledge, who talks at the end of the production about her time playing Donna Clara. 
 
First published 1775 (The Rivals, The Duenna), 1777 (The School for Scandal) 
 
Cast and credits 
Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan 
 
The School for Scandal 
Lady Sneerwell – Barbara Mitchell 
Snake – Rolf Lefebvre 
Joseph Surface – Alan Badel 
Maria – Hilda Schroder 
Mrs Candour – Barbara Couper 
Crabtree – Max Adrian 
Sir Benjamin Backbite – David March 
Sir Peter Teazle – Maurice Denham 
Rowley – Ronald Herdman 
Lady Teazle – Dorothy Tutin 
Sir Oliver Surface – Hamlyn Benson 
Moses – Haydn Jones 
Trip – Leroy Lingwood 
Charles Surface – John Quentin 
Careless – Alexander John 
Sir Toby Bumper – Alan Dudley 
Maid – Rosalind Shanks 
Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan with the Epilogue by George Colman 
Produced by Charles Lefeaux 
BBC Midland Light Orchestra Leader: James Hutcheon 
Conductor: Gilbert Vinter 
 
The Rivals 
Mrs Malaprop – Flora Robson 
Sir Anthony Absolute – Peter Pratt 
Lydia Languish – Christine Finn 
Captain Absolute – Bernard Brown 
Bob Acres – William Ingram 
Julia – Rosalind Shanks 
Faulkland – Peter Tuddenham 
Sir Lucius O’Trigger – Denys Hawthorne 
Lucy – Barbara Mitchell 
Fag – Christopher Bidmead 
David – Ronald Herdman 
Thomas – Alan Dudley 
Boy/Maid – Carol Marsh 
Servant – LeRoy Lingwood 
Directed by Betty Davies 
 
The Duenna 
Don Antonio – Denis Quilley 
Donna Louisa – Jane Wenham 
Don Jerome – Alan Dudley 
Don Carlos – Gordon Faith 
Don Ferdinand – Barrie Ingham 
Donna Clara – Patricia Routledge 
The Duenna – Betty Huntley-Wright 
Isaac Mendoza – Peter Pratt 
Pepita – Valerie Kirkbright 
Father Paul – Aubrey Woods 
Lopez – Andrew Sachs 
Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan and adapted by Lionel Harris 
Adapted for radio and produced by Peter Bryant 
Music composed by Julian Slade, played by the Sinfonia of London conducted by Marcus Dods 
 
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

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