Voss & The Twyborn Affair

Synopsis

Dramatisations of two novels by the Nobel Prize-winning author Patrick WhiteAustralian author Patrick White is widely regarded as one of the most important English-language novelists of the 20th century. His debut novel, 1939’s Happy Valley, was awarded the Gold Medal of the Australian Literature Society, and he won the 1973 Nobel Prize for Literature – the only Australian to have received the honour. Two of his critically acclaimed works are featured here: Voss, winner of both the Miles Franklin and the WH Smith Literary Awards, and the Booker-shortlisted The Twyborn Affair.Voss – Nineteenth-century German explorer Voss is determined to lead an expedition into the uncharted Australian interior. Before setting out, he meets Laura Trevelyan, a young, orphaned Englishwoman with whom he forms a strange, obsessive relationship. As the physical distance between them grows and the hardship on the trek increases,Voss and Laura's connection only becomes stronger. For both are outsiders, visionaries embarking on voyages of discovery, and both will experience suffering in their search for spiritual redemption… Robert Menzies stars as Voss, with Pamela Rabe as Laura in this powerful, compelling drama.The Twyborn Affair – September 7th, 1940. Outside a church, on a bench by the Thames, Eadie Twyborn is reunited with her child after twenty years. She hopes to rekindle family affections, but first she must learn about the many lives of the wild ‘brumby’ she bore. As the Blitz begins, we hear of the beautiful, bisexual ‘E’, who bolted from his own wedding; of the bewitching Eudoxia, mistress of a mad, elderly Greek; of Eddie Twyborn, sheep farmer in the Australian outback; and of Eadith Tryst, madame of a London brothel. And in the process, Eadie’s own secrets, lies and unconventional choices are revealed… Dramatised for the first time on radio, Patrick White’s provocative tale of sexual identity stars Julian Rhind-Tutt and Penny Downie.Cast and creditsWritten by Patrick WhiteVossVoss – Robert MenziesLaura Trevelyan – Pamela RabeWith Bob Homery, Julia Blake, Tammy McCarthy, Paul English, Celia De Burgh, Glen Shea, Michael Carman, Brian Lipson, John Dicks, Jerome Pride, Stanley McGeagh, Kylie Belling, Warren Owens and Jessica MuschampDramatised by Julia StonehamDirected by Janet WhitakerPianist John O'DonnellMusic: Shaun RigneyFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 April-2 May 1999The Twyborn AffairEddie – Julian Rhind-TuttEadie – Penny DownieJoan – Hattie MorahanDon – Philip QuastMarcia – Leigh FunnelleAngelos/Rod – John RoweCurly/Greg – David HenryPeggy/Ada – Manon EdwardsDriver – Piers WehnerBridie – Emerald O’HanrahanPhilip – Joseph Cohen-ColeDramatised by DJ BrittonProduced and directed by Alison HindellFirst broadcast BBC Radio 3, 27 September 2009© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd