Christopher Isherwood: A BBC Radio Collection

Synopsis

Full-cast dramatisations of three insightful novels by Christopher Isherwood, plus a bonus interviewNovelist and playwright Christopher Isherwood is best known for The Berlin Stories of pre-Hitler Germany, which inspired the musical Cabaret. Many of his works have been adapted for stage and screen. This BBC Radio collection comprises full-cast adaptations of three of the Anglo-American’s acclaimed works, together with a riveting interview with Isherwood himself.Mr Norris Changes Trains – The Berlin Stories Part One. 1930. Travelling by train to Berlin, impressionable young English teacher William Bradshaw asks his fellow passenger for a light. This chance meeting leads to a bizarre friendship, as William is caught up in the strange world of the mysterious, disreputable Mr Norris… Michael Maloney and David March star in this evocative portrait of the last, decadent years of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazism.Christopher Himself – Charting the young Isherwood’s creative coming of age in the movie world of the 1930s, and his relationship with his Austrian mentor, the autocratic director Friedrich Bergmann, this piece was written by Philip Glassborow inspired by Isherwood's Prater Violet. Starring David Suchet and Adam Godley, and featuring interviews with Isherwood’s partner Don Bachardy and biographer Kate Bucknell.A Single Man – Following the death of his young lover, Jim, middle-aged English college professor George must deal with his feelings of grief, loneliness and alienation. Alec McCowen stars in this radio dramatisation of Isherwood’s 1964 novel, which was adapted as an Oscar-nominated film (starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore) in 2009.Christopher and His Kind – Recorded in 1977, soon after Isherwood published his autobiography ‘Christopher and His Kind’, the author chats to novelist and critic Paul Bailey about the formative experiences of his life, and how he used them in his novels.Cast and creditsWritten by Christopher IsherwoodMr Norris Changes TrainsMr Norris – David MarchWilliam Bradshaw – Michael MaloneyHelen Pratt – Sheila GrantFraulein Schroeder – Hilda SchroderFriedrich/Otto – Haydn WoodWaiter – Spencer BanksSchmidt – Adrian EganBaron von Pregnitz – Sean ArnoldWhore/Portress – Denica FairmanAnni – Deborah PaigeBayer – Wolf KahlerGerman Official/Policeman/Waiter – Danny SchillerDramatised by Eric EwensDirected by David SpenserFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16-23 Sep 1984Christopher HimselfIsherwood – Adam GodleyBergmann – David SuchetBrian – Bernard CribbinsMother – Sylvestra Le TouzelWaitress – Polly MarchMeadwell – Robert MeadwellWritten by Philip GlassborowWith scenes based on the novel Prater Violet by Christopher IsherwoodDirected by Beaty RubensMusic: Guy MeredithFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 Aug 2004A Single ManGeorge – Alec McCowenCharley – Rosemary MartinJim – William GaminaraKenny – Neil RobertsDoris – Liza RossMrs Strunk – Valerie ColganAndy – Angelo GibsonCynthia – Bonnie HurrenRick – Michael MorrisNurse – Jane WhittenshawAdapted for radio by Michael Michaelian from his own stage playDirected by Glyn DearmanFirst broadcast BBC Radio 3, 10 Nov 1991Christopher and his KindPresented by Paul BaileyWith Christopher IsherwoodFirst broadcast BBC Radio 3, 28 Mar 1977© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd