Arthur Schnitzler: A BBC Radio Drama Collection

Synopsis

Nine full-cast dramatisations of Schnitzler’s sizzling psychological plays and stories, plus a reading of Dream StoryThe sharp, provocative works of Viennese writer Arthur Schnitzler have been banned for transgressive content, burned by the Nazis, and beloved by fellow writers and artists – many of whom took inspiration from his pieces for their own work. This includes his well-known 1926 novella Dream Story, which was reversioned as the 1999 hit Stanley Kubrick film Eyes Wide Shut, and La Ronde or Love Game, which were adapted for the stage at various times by David Hare, Tom Stoppard, and David Harrower.This comprehensive collection features some of Schnitzler’s finest tales of love, sex, jealousy and desire, brought to life by ensemble casts, feauturing Angharad Rees, Anton Lesser, Malcolm Sinclair, Carole Boyd, Martin Jarvis, Maureen O’Brien, and many others. Also included is the erotic, enigmatic Dream Story, read by award-winning actor Paul Rhys.Content List:The Spring SonataLove Games, aka LiebeleiA Confirmed BachelorAnatolProfessor BernhardiIntermezzoWhat a Hysterical GirlLieutenant GustlFestival of BacchusDream StoryWith thanks to Keith Wickham and the Radio Circle for sourcing the recordings.Cast and creditsThe Spring SonataFeaturing: Alison Ram, James Duke, Claudia Harrison, Christopher Kent, Michael Jenn, David Thorpe, Fenella Norman, Vanessa Rosenthal, John McCraw, Catherine Kinsella, Dominic Curran, Sam StarlingDramatised by Vanessa RosenthalDirected by Chris WallisLove GamesFeaturing: Angharad Rees, Anton Lesser, Diana Bishop, John Webb, Geoffrey Matthews, Carole Boyd, William HopeTranslated by Charles OsborneAdapted for radio by John ScotneyDirected by Walter AcostaPianist: Mary NashTechnical presentation: Keith PerrinA Confirmed BachelorFeaturing: Keith Drinkel, Cathy Sara, Jo Rafferty, Oona Beeson, Robert Lister, Sunny Ormonde, Richard da Costa, Marian Kemmer, Elizabeth WoffordDramatised by Vanessa RosenthalDirected by Peter Leslie WildAnatolStarring Malcolm Sinclair as Anatol and Simon Shepherd as MaxWith Victoria Carling, Pauline Moran, Julia Swift, Helena Breck, Jane Bertish, Richard Pearce, Emily Richard, Melinda Walker and Roy MilesDirected by Glyn DearmanMusic by Colin Guthrie played by the composer, Perry Montague-Mason and Chris LaurenceProfessor BernhardiFeaturing Dorit Welles, Leslie Heritage, Gabriel Woolf, John John, John Rye, Jack May, John Wyse, David Spenser, Victor Lucas, Lewis Stringer, James Thomason, Gerald Cross, Richard Hurndall, Martin Friend, Patrick Tull, David Hadda, John GabrielProduced by Archie CampbellAdapted for radio by Mollie Hardwick from the English version by Louis Borrell and Ronald AdamIntermezzoFeaturing James Aubrey, Mel Martin, Tim Woodward, Kim Wall, Julie Berry, Haydn Gwynne, Alistair White, Jennifer Piercey, Elaine ClaxtonEnglish version by Robert David MacDonaldOriginal music composed, and piano played, by Terence AllbrightSong sung by Anna BernardinDirected by Glyn DearmanWhat a Hysterical GirlStarring Carole Boyd as She, John Rye as He and Vernon Joyner as the NarratorProduced by Martin EsslinLieutenant GustlStarring Hugh Hayes as GustlWith Michael Graham Cox and Ian TargettTranslated by George RoubicekDramatised by George Roubicek, Ivor Benjamin and Hugh HayesDirected by Ivor BenjaminProduced by Caroline RaphaelFestival of BacchusFeaturing Martin Jarvis, Maureen O’Brien, Dinsdale Landen, Josie Kidd, Gordon ReidTranslated and adapted for radio by Basil AshmoreDirected by Martin JenkinsDream StoryRead by Paul RhysTranslated by JMQ DaviesProduced by Eugene Murphy© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd