Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Saint Ciappelletto | 20141201 | 20260112 (BBC7) 20260113 (BBC7) | Terry Jones introduces the first of ten tasty Renaissance tales. The 100 stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece come from all over the world. This Renaissance work is considered a landmark in the history of literature. The stories are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of 14th-century Italy. “Luckily, God listens to the sincerity of our prayers, and takes no account of their ignorance - ? All is not what it seems, when a 14th-century Tony Soprano makes his deathbed confession. Adapted in ten parts by Robin Brooks Ciappelletto - Colin McFarlane Musciatto - Sam Dale Holy Friar - Michael Bertenshaw Federico - Monty d'Inverno Anselmo - Paul Heath Doctor - Ian Conningham Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf. Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti. A 14th-century mafioso makes a deathbed confession. All is not what it seems... All is not what it seems, when a 14th-century Tony Soprano makes his deathbed confession. Stars Colin McFarlane. The one hundred stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece, come from all over the world. This Renaissance work is considered a landmark in the history of literature. The stories are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of fourteenth-century Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. Radio 3 is retelling ten of these choice Florentine Fancies, adapted from Boccaccio by Robin Brooks. Like the original, our stories are told over ten days, each of which has its own theme. You can hear them every evening at 2245, and in omnibus form on Sunday evenings in Drama on 3. Today's theme is: 'Luckily, God listens to the sincerity of our prayers, and takes no account of their ignorance... All is not what it seems, when a fourteenth-century Tony Soprano makes his deathbed confession. Terry Jones introduces a retelling from The Decameron. A man makes his deathbed confession |
| 02 | Federigo And His Falcon | 20141202 | 20260113 (BBC7) 20260114 (BBC7) | Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale. The 100 stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece come from all over the world. This Renaissance work is considered a landmark in the history of literature. The stories are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of fourteenth-century Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. “Lovers who, after many disasters, finally find happiness. ? Courtly Federigo spends every last groat trying to win the affections of the beautiful Monna. But there is only one thing of his that she wants. And it has feathers. Federigo degli Alberighi - John Finnemore Monna - Ingrid Oliver Elena - Carrie Quinlan Beppo - Shaun Mason Niccolo - Adam Thomas Wright Adapted by Robin Brooks Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti Federigo yearns for the affections of Monna. But she only wants one thing from him. Federigo, a lovelorn knight, pines for the beautiful Monna. But she only wants one thing from him. Stars John Finnemore. Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale, starring John Finnemore as a lovelorn knight. The one hundred stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece, come from all over the world. This Renaissance work is considered a landmark in world literature. Radio 3 is retelling ten of these choice Florentine Fancies, adapted from Boccaccio by Robin Brooks. Like the original, our stories are told over ten days, each of which has its own theme. You can hear them every evening in the Essay, and in omnibus form on Sunday evenings in Drama on 3. Today's theme is 'Lovers who, after many disasters, finally find happiness. Terry Jones introduces a retelling from The Decameron about a lovelorn man's quest. |
| 03 | How Elena Blew Hot And Cold | 20141203 | 20260114 (BBC7) 20260115 (BBC7) | The one hundred stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece come from all over the world. This Renaissance work is considered a landmark in the history of literature. The stories are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of fourteenth-century Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. “Tricks which men play on women. ? Widowed Elena sleeps around, though she likes to keep up appearances. But when she snubs one man for the amusement of another, she picks the wrong victim. Elena - Lydia Leonard Rinieri - Cyril Nri Violante - Elaine Claxton Pyrrhus - Paul Heath Adapted by Robin Brooks Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti Widowed Elena likes to sleep around. But when she snubs the wrong man, she pays for it. Widowed Elena likes to sleep around. But when she snubs one man for another, she picks the wrong victim. Stars Lydia Leonard. Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale, starring Lydia Leonard as a widow who snubs the wrong man. They are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of Renaissance Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. Radio 3 is retelling ten of these choice Florentine Fancies, adapted from Boccaccio by Robin Brooks, and introduced by Terry Jones. Like the original, our stories are told over ten days, each of which has its own theme. You can hear them every evening in the Essay, and in omnibus form on Sunday evenings in Drama on 3. Today's theme is: 'Tricks which men play on women. Terry Jones introduces a retelling from The Decameron. A young widow snubs the wrong man. |
| 04 | How To Get It Off Your Chest | 20141204 | 20260115 (BBC7) 20260116 (BBC7) | The one hundred stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece come from all over the world. This Renaissance work is considered a landmark in the history of literature. The stories are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of fourteenth-century Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. “The best ways to take revenge. ? When Zeppa discovers his wife with his best friend, he's keen to make a proportionate response. Giovanni - Jude Akuwudike Zeppa - Ian Conningham Spinelloccio - Shaun Mason Mrs Z - Hannah Genesius Mrs S - Bettrys Jones Adapted by Robin Brooks Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti When Zeppa is betrayed by his best friend, he conjures up a dastardly scheme for revenge. When Zeppa discovers his wife with his best friend, he's keen to make a proportionate response. Stars Jude Akuwudike. Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale. They are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of Renaissance Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. Radio 3 is retelling ten of these choice Florentine Fancies, adapted from Boccaccio by Robin Brooks, and introduced by Terry Jones. Like the original, our stories are told over ten days, each of which has its own theme. You can hear them every evening in the Essay, and in omnibus form on Sunday evenings in Drama on 3. Today's theme: 'The best ways to take revenge. Terry Jones with a retelling from The Decameron. A man finds his wife with his best friend |
| 05 | Kind Hearts And Bayonets | 20141205 | 20260116 (BBC7) 20260117 (BBC7) | The one hundred stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece come from all over the world. This Renaissance work is considered a landmark in the history of literature. The stories are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of fourteenth-century Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal.. Tales of great generosity or magnificence'. Mithridanes wants to be a wise and generous benefactor. Sadly, his neighbour Nathan is always wiser and more generous. How best to deal with this problem? Wisely and generously? Or - not so much? Mithridanes - Samuel Barnett Nathan - Sam Dale Beggarmaid - Bettrys Jones Adapted by Robin Brooks Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti Mithridanes wants to be the wisest and most generous benefactor. So Nathan needs to go. Mithridanes wants to be a wise and generous benefactor. But his neighbour is always better than him. Stars Samuel Barnett. Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale, starring Samuel Barnett and Sam Dale as virtuous men in a dirty world. They are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of Renaissance Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. Radio 3 is retelling ten of these choice Florentine Fancies, adapted from Boccaccio by Robin Brooks, and introduced by Terry Jones. Like the original, our stories are told over ten days, each of which has its own theme. You can hear them every evening in the Essay, and in omnibus form on Sunday evenings in Drama on 3. Today's theme is: 'Tales of great generosity or magnificence'. Terry Jones introduces a retelling from The Decameron about virtuous men in a dirty world. |
| 06 | The Sweetest Young Man In Perugia | 20141208 | 20260119 (BBC7) 20260120 (BBC7) | Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale, starring Tim McInnerny as a husband with a dissatisfied young wife. The one hundred stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece, come from all over the world. They are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of Renaissance Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. “Tricks that women play on men. ? A young bride can't work out why her marriage seems flat. Until she and her husband both meet the sweetest young man in Perugia. Pietro - Tim McInnerny Madam - Hannah Genesius Pandara - Jane Slavin Masetto - Monty d'Inverno Ercolano - David Acton Adapted by Robin Brooks Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti A young woman takes an intriguing new lover. But she's already married. A young bride's marriage seems flat. Until she and her husband both meet the sweetest man in Perugia. Stars Tim McInnerny. Radio 3 is retelling ten of these choice Florentine Fancies, adapted by Robin Brooks, and introduced by Terry Jones. Like the original, our stories are told over ten days, each of which has its own theme. You can hear them every evening in the Essay, and in omnibus form on Sunday Evenings in Drama on 3. Today's theme is: 'Tricks that women play on men. Terry Jones with a retelling of a story from The Decameron about a dissatisfied young wife |
| 07 | The Wager | 20141209 | 20260120 (BBC7) 20260121 (BBC7) | Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale, starring Louise Brealey in a sly tale of about a costly bet. The one hundred stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece, come from all over the world. They are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of Renaissance Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. “Those who after misadventures, find unexpected happiness. ? When Bernabo makes a bet on his wife's chastity, and his friend sets out to prove him wrong, neither man imagines the matter will change their lives forever. Musciatto - Michael Bertenshaw Ambrogiuolo - Geoffrey Streatfeild Bernabo - Paul Ritter Zinevra - Louise Brealey Sultan - Jude Akuwudike Captain - Shaun Mason Adapted by Robin Brooks Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti When a man makes a bet on his wife's chastity, it changes his life forever. When Bernabo makes a bet on his wife's chastity with a friend, neither thinks their life will change forever. Stars Paul Ritter. Radio 3 is retelling ten of these choice Florentine Fancies, adapted from Boccaccio by Robin Brooks, and introduced by Terry Jones. Like the original, our stories are told over ten days, each of which has its own theme. You can hear them every evening in the Essay, and in omnibus form on Sunday Evenings in Drama on 3. Today's theme: 'Those who after misadventures, find unexpected happiness. Terry Jones introduces a retelling from The Decameron. A casual bet changes three lives. |
| 08 | A Job For The Boys | 20141210 | 20260121 (BBC7) 20260122 (BBC7) | Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale, starring Neil Pearson and Tameka Empson, in a story about fun with nuns. The one hundred stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece, come from all over the world. They are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of Renaissance Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. “Those who lose something, and then regain it. ? Masetto's having a quiet drink, when the chance of a new job comes his way. Masetto - Neil Pearson Sister Donna - Tameka Empson Sister Lisa - Rhiannon Neads Hildegard - Jane Slavin Nuto - Sam Dale Steward - Michael Bertenshaw Adapted by Robin Brooks Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti Masetto gets a new job at a convent. But all is not what it seems with the nuns... Masetto's having a quiet drink when the chance of a new job comes his way, involving fun with nuns. Starring Neil Pearson. Radio 3 is retelling ten of these choice Florentine Fancies, adapted from Boccaccio by Robin Brooks, and introduced by Terry Jones. Like the original, our stories are told over ten days, each of which has its own theme. You can hear them every evening in the Essay, and in omnibus form on Sunday Evenings in Drama on 3. Today's theme: 'Those who lose something, and then regain it. Terry Jones introduces a retelling from The Decameron about a man posing as a deaf mute. |
| 09 | Love Lies Sleeping | 20141211 | 20260122 (BBC7) 20260123 (BBC7) | Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale. The one hundred stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece, come from all over the world. They are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of Renaissance Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. “The loves which lead us to disaster. ? In the middle of the night, Beppo's wife wakes him up to tell him a story. And his night has only just begun. Silvestra - Laura Molyneux Beppo - Rudi Dharmalingam Giovanni - Joseph Drake Rinaldo - David Acton Mother - Jane Slavin Adapted by Robin Brooks Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti Beppo's wife wakes him up to tell him a story. But the night has only just begun. In the middle of the night, Beppo's wife wakes him up to tell him a story. But the night has only just begun. Stars David Acton. Radio 3 is retelling ten of these choice Florentine Fancies, adapted from Boccaccio by Robin Brooks, and introduced by Terry Jones. Like the original, our stories are told over ten days, each of which has its own theme. You can hear them every evening in the Essay, and in omnibus form on Sunday Evenings in Drama on 3. Today's theme is: 'The loves which lead us to disaster. Terry Jones presents a retelling from The Decameron about loves which lead us to disaster. |
| 10 LAST | A Quiet Night In Naples | 20141212 | 20260123 (BBC7) 20260124 (BBC7) | Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale. The one hundred stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece, come from all over the world. They are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of Renaissance Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal. “Adventures which end in triumph. ? Country boy Andreuccio comes to Naples to buy a horse. If only life in Naples were so straightforward. Andreuccio - Gunnar Cauthery Filomena - Roslyn Hill Scarabone - Shaun Mason Neighbour - David Acton Ludo - Paul Heath Bruno - Ian Conningham Sister Lisa - Elaine Claxton Sister Donna - Hannah Genesius Adapted by Robin Brooks Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti Country boy Andreuccio wants to buy a horse in Naples, but it's not as easy as it seems. Country boy Andreuccio comes to Naples to buy a horse. If only life in Naples were so straightforward. Stars Gunnar Cauthery. Radio 3 is retelling ten of these choice Florentine Fancies, adapted from Boccaccio by Robin Brooks, and introduced by Terry Jones. Like the original, our stories are told over ten days, each of which has its own theme. You can hear them every evening in the Essay, and in omnibus form on Sunday Evenings in Drama on 3. Today's theme is: 'Adventures which end in triumph. Terry Jones presents a retelling from The Decameron about adventures which end in triumph. |