Dear Countess

'You will indeed be a good husband to me John. You who are so kind will be a perfect lover as a husband.'

So wrote Euphemia Chalmers Gray to her husband to be, John Ruskin.

She was soon to discover, however, that the reality was very different from the fantasy into which Ruskin steadily retired...

Starring Derek Jacobi and Timothy West.

Elizabeth Morgan's turbulent tale of John Ruskin's marriage to 'Effie'.

Love and tension in equal measure.

John Ruskin - Derek Jacobi

Effie Ruskin ... Bridget McCann

Mr Ruskin ... Timothy West

Mrs Ruskin ... Elizabeth Morgan

Mr Gray ... Henry Stamper

Mrs Gray ... Eva Stuart

John Everett Millals - Michael Fenner

Dr Henry Acland - John Rye

Lady Elizabeth Eastlake ... Madi Hedd

Lady Lewis - Jean Trend

Mr Roberts - Nigel Graham

Director: Gerry Jones

First broadcast on Radio 4 in May 1983.

A turbulent tale of a marriage - with love and tension in equal measure.

A turbulent tale of John Ruskin's marriage to 'Effie'. Love and tension in equal measure. Stars Derek Jacobi and Timothy West.

So wrote Euphemia Chalmers Gray to her husband to be, John Ruskin. She was soon to discover, however, that the reality was very different from the fantasy into which Ruskin steadily retired.

Derek Jacobi and Timothy West star in Elizabeth Morgan's turbulent tale of John Ruskin's marriage to 'Effie'. Love and tension in equal measure.