The Voysey Inheritance & The Secret Life

Synopsis

<p><b>Two outstanding plays from a major figure of British Edwardian theatre</b><br><br>Harley Granville Barker was one of the most influential voices in early 20th-century drama – an actor, director and playwright whose work helped shape modern British theatre. His plays are celebrated for their psychological depth, moral complexity and Chekhovian style. He is best known for his masterpiece, <i>The Voysey Inheritance</i>, which is presented here with his forgotten classic, <i>The Secret Life</i>.<br><br><b><i>The Voysey Inheritance</i></b> – When Edward inherits the family firm, he makes a devastating discovery: its success is built on deceit. For years, his father has gambled recklessly with clients’ money – just as his father did before him. Faced with an impossible choice, Edward must decide whether to continue the fraud to try to save the business, or expose the truth and ruin his family’s reputation forever. <b>Samuel Barnett, Clive Merrison</b> and <b>Phyllida Law</b> star in Barker’s witty, subversive play.<br><br><b><i>The Secret Life</i></b> – Against a backdrop of political intrigue in the years following World War One, former MP Evan Strowde’s long-suppressed love for Joan Westbury is re-awakened. But should he sacrifice personal happiness for public service? <b>Ronald Pickup, Brenda Blethyn, Rowena Cooper </b>and<b> Helen McCrory</b> star in this absorbing drama, produced in association with the Royal National Theatre.<br><br><br><i>Cast and credits</i><br><br><b><i>The Voysey Inheritance</i></b><br>Edward – <b>Samuel Barnett</b><br>Mr Voysey – <b>Clive Merrison</b><br>Mr George Booth – <b>Gawn Grainger</b><br>Trenchard Voysey – <b>Richard Dillane</b><br>Major Booth Vosey – <b>Alan Cox</b><br>Denis Tregoning – <b>Joseph Arkley</b><br>Mrs Voysey – <b>Phyllida Law</b><br>Honor Voysey – <b>Amanda Lawrence</b><br>Peacey – <b>Paul Moriarty</b><br><br>Adapted for radio and directed by Lu Kemp<br>First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 April 2012<br><br><b><i>The Secret Life</i></b><br>Stephen Serocold – <b>James Laurenson</b><br>Evan Strowde – <b>Ronald Pickup</b><br>Eleanor Strowde – <b>Rowena Cooper</b><br>Joan Westbury – <b>Brenda Blethyn</b><br>Lady Peckham – <b>Rosemary Martin</b><br>Oliver Gauntlett – <b>Jo Stone-Fewings</b><br>Mr Kittredge – <b>Manning Redwood</b><br>Susan Kittredge – <b>Helen McCrory</b><br>Dorothy Gauntlett – <b>Rachel Atkins</b><br>Sir Leslie Heriot – <b>John Baddeley</b><br>Lord Clumbermere – <b>Barry J. Gordon</b><br>Sir Geoffrey Salomons – <b>Steve Hodson</b><br><br>Adapted for radio and directed by Giles Croft (Radio production in association with the Royal National Theatre)<br>Pianist Mary Nash<br>First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 May 1993<br><br>© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd</p>