Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | ~~~ | 20100329 | 1/5 Irene Nemirovsky's classic novel of ruthlessness and ambition, love and money, translated by Sandra Smith and adapted for radio by Ellen Dryden. David Golder is a remarkable portrait of a man who is something like a monster, but whose killer instinct in business is based not in self-interest but in the almost pathological desire to provide for a family he knows does not care for him. Episode One: 1929, France. David Golder, a self-made businessman of 68, is rich and ruthless- and woe betide anyone who tries to cross him. Even if that person is his oldest friend and associate, Simeon Marcus. But on this occasion Golder's implacability in his business dealings has unforeseen and tragic results. David Suchet stars as Golder, with Anna Francolini (recently winner of the TMA/Stage award for the best stage performance of 2009) as Irene Nemirovsky. Nemirovsky was 26 when David Golder was published in 1929, and had made the same journey from a Ukrainian/Jewish background to France and wealth as her protagonist. The novel was a huge and immediate success .A film followed in 1930 but this is the first adaptation of the novel the Nemirovsky estate have allowed since. Irene Nemirovsky died in Auschwitz in 1942. She was 39. David Golder..............David Suchet Nemirovsky...............Anna Francolini Marcus.....................Robin Harvey Edwards Mme Marcus.............Julia Swift Directed by Peter Farago. The rich, ruthless financier David Golder receives a visit from an old friend in trouble. |
| 02 | ~~~ | 20100330 | 2/5 Irene Nemirovsky's classic novel of ruthlessness and ambition, love and money, translated by Sandra Smith and adapted for radio by Ellen Dryden. David Golder is a remarkable portrait of a man who is something like a monster, but whose killer instinct in business is based not in self-interest but in the almost pathological desire to provide for a family he knows does not care for him. Episode Two: Following the shattering conclusion of the Marcus affair, Golder travels to Biarritz to recuperate. But with his wife and daughter entertaining a seemingly endless parade of charming hangers-on and gigolos, Golder finds himself far from relaxed. David Suchet stars as Golder, with Anna Francolini (recently winner of the TMA/Stage award for the best stage performance of 2009) as Irene Nemirovsky. Elizabeth Bell plays Golder's rapacious wife Gloria, and Francesca Dymond his indulged daughter Joyce. Nemirovsky was 26 when David Golder was published in 1929, and had made the same journey from a Ukrainian/Jewish background to France and wealth as her protagonist. The novel was a huge and immediate success .A film followed in 1930 but this is the first adaptation of the novel the Nemirovsky estate have allowed since. Irene Nemirovsky died in Auschwitz in 1942. She was 39. David Golder...........................David Suchet Irene Nemirovsky....................Anna Francolini Gloria Golder..........................Elizabeth Bell Joyce Golder..........................Francesca Dymond Hoyos....................................Vernon Dobtcheff Fischl.....................................Stewart Permutt Directed by Peter Farago. Golder's attempt to recuperate in Biarritz proves anything but relaxing. |
| 03 | ~~~ | 20100331 | 3/5 Irene Nemirovsky's classic novel of ruthlessness and ambition, love and money, translated by Sandra Smith and adapted for radio by Ellen Dryden. David Golder is a remarkable portrait of a man who is something like a monster, but whose killer instinct in business is based not in self-interest but in the almost pathological desire to provide for a family he knows does not care for him. Episode Three: Golder's health takes a turn for the worse and a doctor is called. But the diagnosis, when it comes, is far from welcome to anybody concerned. David Suchet stars as Golder, with Anna Francolini (recently winner of the TMA/Stage award for the best stage performance of 2009) as Irene Nemirovsky. Elizabeth Bell plays Golder's rapacious wife Gloria, and Francesca Dymond his indulged daughter Joyce. Nemirovsky was 26 when David Golder was published in 1929, and had made the same journey from a Ukrainian/Jewish background to France and wealth as her protagonist. The novel was a huge and immediate success .A film followed in 1930 but this is the first adaptation of the novel the Nemirovsky estate have allowed since. Irene Nemirovsky died in Auschwitz in 1942. She was 39. David Golder - David Suchet Irene Nemirovsky - Anna Francolini Gloria Golder - Elizabeth Bell Joyce Golder - Francesca Dymond Hoyos - Vernon Dobtcheff Doctor Ghedalia - Max Digby Directed by Peter Farago. Golder's health takes a turn for the worse, and the doctor's diagnosis is unwelcome. |
| 04 | ~~~ | 20100401 | 4/5 Irene Nemirovsky's classic novel of ruthlessness and ambition, love and money, translated by Sandra Smith and adapted for radio by Ellen Dryden. David Golder is a remarkable portrait of a man who is something like a monster, but whose killer instinct in business is based not in self-interest but in the almost pathological desire to provide for a family he knows does not care for him. Episode Four: Following disturbing news from the financial markets, Golder makes plans to return to Paris to negotiate a deal, which will save him from the impending catastrophe. But before he goes, Gloria has a shattering surprise for her husband. David Suchet stars as Golder, with Anna Francolini (recently winner of the TMA/Stage award for the best stage performance of 2009) as Irene Nemirovsky. Elizabeth Bell plays Golder's rapacious wife Gloria, and Francesca Dymond his indulged daughter Joyce. Nemirovsky was 26 when David Golder was published in 1929, and had made the same journey from a Ukrainian/Jewish background to France and wealth as her protagonist. The novel was a huge and immediate success .A film followed in 1930 but this is the first adaptation of the novel the Nemirovsky estate have allowed since. Irene Nemirovsky died in Auschwitz in 1942. She was 39. David Golder - David Suchet Irene Nemirovsky - Anna Francolini Gloria Golder - Elizabeth Bell Hoyos - Vernon Dobtcheff Loewe - David Gant Directed by Peter Farago. |
| 05 | ~~~ | 20100402 | 5/5 Irene Nemirovsky's classic novel of ruthlessness and ambition, love and money, translated by Sandra Smith and adapted for radio by Ellen Dryden. David Golder is a remarkable portrait of a man who is something like a monster, but whose killer instinct in business is based not in self-interest but in the almost pathological desire to provide for a family he knows does not care for him. Episode Five: Living alone in Paris, Golder's career as a financier looks to be all but over. But an unexpected visit makes it necessary to force himself into one last deal- whatever the cost. David Suchet stars as Golder, with Anna Francolini (recently winner of the TMA/Stage award for the best stage performance of 2009) as Irene Nemirovsky. Elizabeth Bell plays Golder's rapacious wife Gloria, and Francesca Dymond his indulged daughter Joyce. Nemirovsky was 26 when David Golder was published in 1929, and had made the same journey from a Ukrainian/Jewish background to France and wealth as her protagonist. The novel was a huge and immediate success .A film followed in 1930 but this is the first adaptation of the novel the Nemirovsky estate have allowed since. Irene Nemirovsky died in Auschwitz in 1942. She was 39. David Golder - David Suchet Irene Nemirovsky - Anna Francolini Gloria Golder - Elizabeth Bell Joyce Golder - Francesca Dymond Delegate - Robin Harvey Edwards Russian Boy - Richard Galazka Directed by Peter Farago. With Golder's fortunes all but wiped out, he has to negotiate one last deal. |