Confessions of a Justified Sinner & The Brownie of the Black Haggs

Synopsis

BBC Radio 4 adaptations of James Hogg’s classic psychological thriller and one of his best-known stories of suspense – plus a bonus docudrama about his lifeJames Hogg was a farmer, poet, novelist and self-educated genius. A friend of Sir Walter Scott, he is recognised today as one of Scotland’s great writers. His masterpiece, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, has influenced authors from Robert Louis Stevenson to Irvine Welsh, and remains relevant today. Re-envisioned for radio, it is included here, alongside a chilling supernatural tale and a drama-documentary exploring his remarkable life.Confessions of a Justified Sinner – Believing he is predestined to go to heaven, Robert Colwan has committed terrible crimes without fear of reprisal. But now, two women are determined to hold him to account. Held captive, Robert begins his confession – but the words that come out of his mouth shock Bell and Arabella to their very core. Lorn Macdonald, Shauna Macdonald and Wendy Seager star in this electrifying reimagining of James Hogg’s seminal novel about a young man radicalised by religious fervour.The Brownie of the Black Haggs – Lady Wheelhope has a reputation as a violent and tyrannical mistress. Her servants are her pawns, to do with what she will – until the mysterious Merodach arrives, and she falls prey to a dangerous obsession… This macabre drama stars Irene Macdougall and James Chisholm.James Hogg: Portrait of a Justified Sinner – James Hogg was patronised by Edinburgh society and disregarded by the literati of the time. Yet now he is seen in some quarters as the finest of his contemporaries. John Shedden stars as Hogg and Iain Cuthbertson as Walter Scott in this fascinating docudrama, written and presented by Hugh Douglas and with contributions from historians, literary critics and admirers of the author.First published 1824 (The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner), 1828 (‘The Brownie of Black Haggs’)Cast and creditsWritten by James HoggConfessions of a Justified SinnerRobert – Lorn MacdonaldArabella – Shauna MacdonaldBella – Wendy SeagerDramatised by Robert ForrestDirected by Kirsty WilliamsStudio Recordings by Niall YoungSound Design and Original Music by Fraser JacksonFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 Mar 2023The Brownie of the Black HaggsLady Wheelhope – Irene MacDougallThe Laird – Paul YoungMerodach – James ChisholmBessie – Mary RiggansWattie – James BryceAdam – Alec HeggieDramatised by Marty RossDirected/produced by Bruce YoungFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 May 2003James Hogg: Portrait of a Justified SinnerJames Hogg – John SheddenWalter Scott – Iain CuthbertsonCharlotte Scott – Joyce DeansWordsworth – Anthony HydeDorothy Wordsworth – Judy CornwellTibbie Shiels – Mary RiggansWritten and presented by Hugh DouglasWith Professor David Daiches, Professor Douglas Gifford, Dr David Groves, Douglas Mack, Walter Barrie, James and Doreen Mitchell, Margaret LaverickDirected by Alec ReidSinger: Geoffrey DavidsonViolinist: Bill McNabFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 Jan 1985© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd