The L-Shaped Room, Backward Shadow & other stories

Synopsis

A full-cast adaptation of Lynne Reid Banks' bestselling novel, plus sequel The Backward Shadow and moreAward-winning author Lynne Reid Banks is perhaps best known for her classic children's book The Indian in the Cupboard. But it was her groundbreaking debut novel for adults, The L-Shaped Room, that made her name. First published in 1960, it was an instant success, and has been in print ever since. This collection contains both The L-Shaped Room and sequel The Backward Shadow, as well as two stories specially written for BBC radio and a bonus edition of Bookclub.The L-Shaped Room - Jane is young, middle-class, single - and pregnant. Thrown out by her parents, she rents a squalid bedsit, where she struggles to overcome both her own prejudices and those of 1950s society. Starring Lynne Seymour as Jane, with John McAndrew as Toby.The Backward Shadow - Living with her baby in a cottage inherited from her aunt, Jane's quiet life is shaken up by the arrival of her friend Dottie and the reappearance of Toby, the love of her life ... Lynne Seymour stars as Jane, with Rachel Atkins as Dottie.Who Shall I Run To? - Sally recalls how she and ex-husband Jeremy celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with a romantic trip to Paris. Read by Siân Phillips.Lame Duck - Anne and her artist husband Lionel have three boys, and little time for going out - so they decide to take in a lodger who might be prepared to babysit occasionally. Sadly, things do not work out as planned... Starring Anne Rosenfeld as Anne and Manning Wilson as Lionel.Bookclub: Lynne Reid Banks - Readers talk to the celebrated author about The L-Shaped Room, describing what it means to them and how it has changed their lives. Chaired by James Naughtie.Text copyright © Lynne Reid Banks 1960 (The L-Shaped Room), 1970 (The Backward Shadow), 1978 (Lame Duck), 2005 (Who Shall I Run To?)Cast and creditsWritten by Lynne Reid BanksThe L-Shaped RoomJane - Lynne SeymourToby - John McAndrewJohn - Trevor LairdFather - Bill WallisDoris - Nickie RainsfordMavis - Marie Gordon PriceJames - Simon ArmstrongDr Maxwell - John RoweJane 2/Dottie - Rachel AtkinsBoss - Dave BondDr Graham - Richard MitchleyTerry - Robert BowmanAddy - Shirley DixonDramatised by Juliet AcePrioduced and directed by Alison HindellFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February-5 March 2004The Backward ShadowJane - Lynne SeymourDottie - Rachel AtkinsToby - John McAndrewHenry - Simon LuddersFather/Ted - Don McCorkindaleBilly Lee - Lesley RooneyAlan - Keiron SelfMrs Stephens - Manon EdwardsDora - Siriol JenkinsJohn - Trevor LairdJoanna - Nickie RainsfordDramatised by Juliet AcePrioduced and directed by Alison HindellFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16-27 May 2005Who Shall I Run To?Read by Siân PhillipsProduced by Emma HardingFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 August 2005Lame DuckCliff - Christopher GuardAnne - Anne RosenfeldLionel - Manning WilsonJamie - Judy BennettTerry - Delia MorganDan - Elizabeth LindsayJacky - Karen ArcherMr Brent, a publican - Bruce BeebyMrs Brent - Jane KnowlesDirected by David B GodfreyFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 January 1978Bookclub: Lynne Reid BanksPresented by James NaughtieWith Lynne Reid Banks and a live studio audienceProduced by Dymphna FlynnFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 June 2010©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd