Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20110404 | Series One (5 episodes) Episode One It's 1908 and Bruce and Edith, The Little Ottleys, as they were called, live in a very new, very small, very white flat in Knightsbridge. And so begins Ada Leverson's witty and wonderful social comedy set in Edwardian London and dramatised in five episodes by Martyn Wade. Ada Leverson............Haydn Gwynne Bruce.......................Bertie Carvel Edith........................Juliet Aubrey Hyacinth...................Alex Tregear Cecil........................Stuart McLoughlin Anne........................Jane Whittenshaw Eugenia....................Joanna Monro Directed By Tracey Neale London, 1908. The pretty and delightful Edith Ottley is married to pompous Bruce. She adores her son, Archie and thinks herself content with her life in the very new, very concise, very white flat in Knightsbridge but often thought that if Hyacinth Verney wasn't a friend, life would be very dull. The beautiful and wealthy Hyacinth is in love with Cecil Reeve but it appears he is love with someone else. Is Hyacinth's heart destined to remain broken? As Edith ponders on Hyacinth's dilemma she finds her own heart suddenly beating that bit faster when she meets the clever, charming and very handsome Aylmer Ross. As the story builds the physical attraction between the two is electric. They could be the perfect couple but Edith can't dismiss the fact she is Mrs. Ottley. However, as we will discover, there is more to Bruce than meets the eye and when Edith discovers this fact, will that help to change her mind? The listener will wonder why Edith is married to Bruce but as Bruce's pomposity and fatuousness come up against Edith's quiet responses and ironic questioning they will enjoy the moments of absurdity and admire Edith's stoicism and will her to make the right decision. The dramatisation by Martyn Wade comes from three short novels written by Ada Leverson between 1908 and 1916. The novels are 'Love's Shadow', 'Tenterhooks' and 'Love At Second Sight' but in 1962 they were grouped together under the title of 'The Little Ottleys'. The Writer Ada Leverson was a contemporary and friend of Oscar Wilde. His nickname for her was 'The Sphinx' and he called her 'the wittiest woman in England'. She wrote six novels, each a classic comedy of manners. The three which make up 'The Little Ottleys' are perfect examples of her wit and style. Her world of marriage and married life with all its mysteries and absurdities is as relevant to today's world as it was in her own. She married at the young age of nineteen to Ernest Leverson and had two children but it was an unhappy marriage and he left her to start a new life in Canada and it was after this that she began to write her novels. Elements of her own life experiences evident within her writing. The Dramatist Martyn Wade is a skilled and talented radio writer and dramatist. He has wanted to adapt 'The Little Ottleys' for a long time and has a sure and dry comic touch which is ideal for this dramatisation. Martyn dramatised the 'Barsetshire' novels for radio and the 'Palliser' series too. His most recent Trollope dramatisations have been 'Orley Farm' and 'Miss Mackenzie'. Bruce and Edith live in a very new, very small, very white flat in Knightsbridge. | |
| 01 | 20120806 | Series Three (5 episodes) Episode One It is the Summer of 1916 and the Little Ottleys, as that tall, fine-looking couple had been known, are a couple no longer ... Directed by Tracey Neale Bruce, who headed off to the States with Madame Frabelle, has found life with her less than idyllic, and he returns to England (without her) in quick time. However, Edith is all ready to marry Aylmer. The divorce papers are drawn up and marriage plans are being made. When Bruce returns, Edith quickly realises that the poor man can't manage if he's left to his own idiotic devices. She doesn't love him. Aylmer is the love of her life and she is looking forward to making a new life with him but Bruce's hopelessness arouses pity and concern in her, as well as extreme frustration, and she allows him back into the spare room in the concise house in Knightsbridge. But when is she going to tell Aylmer? Vincy Wenham Vincy - friend and confidant to Bruce, Edith and Aylmer (mentioned in Series 1 and 2, but never given his voice) - finds himself in the impossible position of keeing secrets from all three of them, and offering advice to them at the same time. The Writer Martyn Wade is a skilled and talented radio writer and dramatist. He has a sure and dry comic touch which is ideal for continuing the stories created by Ada Leverson, a contemporary and friend of Oscar Wilde. Music Used Forgotten Dreams - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra. It is the summer of 1916, and the Little Ottleys are a couple no longer. | |
| 01 | 20130408 | Series Four (5 episodes) Episode One It is early Autumn in the year 1916. Bruce Ottley, having gone to America to escape the Zeppelins and to live with Madame Frabelle, has returned to England. Though divorced from Edith he is still residing in the spare room of the very concise house in Sloane Street, Knightsbridge. Much to the dismay of Aylmer. Directed by Tracey Neale The Story & Characters: Bruce, Edith and Aylmer are locked in their curious but delightful triangle. Bruce has returned from America, and has been attempting to convince Edith that everything should and can be exactly as it was before. He's unable to function without Edith, but he patronises her (just as he did before), tries to act the domineering husband (despite the fact that he divorced Edith at the end of Series 2) - and is impelled by his vanity to indulge in amorous adventures with other women. Edith is in love with handsome, cultured Aylmer, and before Bruce's return was on the point of marrying him, but she's unwilling to keep Bruce out of the Ottley home (though she has relegated him to the spare room.) Bruce is a vexation and the single obstacle to Edith's perfect happiness, but she would never forgive herself if she abandoned him and he came to grief. As for Aylmer, he's as much in love with Edith as he ever was, and finds Bruce ridiculous and aggravating beyond measure, but - having failed to persuade Edith to ditch her former husband - he must somehow learn to live with a shared Edith, and to endure Bruce. There are three other characters in this fourth series: Madame Frabelle, who was last encountered in Series 2, where she was a guest with the Ottleys, developed warm feelings for Bruce, and left with him for America. She returns in this series with some surprising news. Miss Flummerfelt, an amateur actress with whom Bruce has developed a behind-the-scenes relationship but who he had denounced, in front of Edith and Aylmer, as a licentious predator. When their paths cross again Bruce pleads for bygones to be bygones but will Miss Flummerfelt agree? Vincy Wenham Vincy, is a friend of Edith, a friend of Aylmer, and the nearest approximation possible to a friend of Bruce. Vincy is gormed once again by the turn of events in the Ottley household. Martyn Wade's sure and dry comic touch is evident once more in his creation of further stories based on Ada Leverson's characters. It is early autumn in the year 1916. Bruce Ottley has returned to England. | |
| 01 | 20140602 | Based on characters from Ada Leverson's trilogy of novels, Martyn Wade draws the delightful and romantic entanglements of the Ottleys to a close. Edith, Aylmer and Bruce, in this infernal, triangular charade seem as helpless and doomed as they ever were. Edith's scheme of shuttling between Aylmer (the love of her life) and Bruce (her hopeless former husband) collapses. What, Edith wonders, is to be done? ... Produced and Directed by Tracey Neale The Writer: Martyn Wade's recent credits for radio aside from five series of The Little Ottleys, are two composer plays - Moeran's Last Symphony and The Healing of Sergei Rachmaninov and Singles and Doublets. A stage play - The Most Gorgeous Lady Blessington was performed at The Wallace Collection. Martyn expertly took up the baton from Ada Leverson and not only writes fresh and funny dialogue for those existing characters but has also created some brilliant new characters for the Ottley series too. Edith's scheme of shuttling between Aylmer and Bruce collapses, and she goes into hiding. | |
| 02 | 20110405 | Series One (5 episodes) Episode Two Aylmer Ross makes quite an impression on both Bruce and Edith at the Mitchell's dinner party. Ada............ Haydn Gwynne Bruce..........Bertie Carvel Edith...........Juliet Aubrey Aylmer.........Jonathan Firth Hyacinth.......Alex Tregear Anne............Jane Whittenshaw Cecil.............Stuart McLoughlin Directed by Tracey Neale. Aylmer Ross makes an impression on both Bruce and Edith at the Mitchell's dinner party. | |
| 02 | 20120807 | Series Three (5 episodes) Episode Two Edith had been so happy. Divorced from the impossible Bruce, and anticipating marriage to Aylmer Ross, the man she adores. But Bruce is back home, albeit in the spare room, and Aylmer still doesn't know ... Directed by Tracey Neale Bruce who headed off to the States with Madame Frabelle, has found life with her less than idyllic, and he returns to England (without her) in quick time. However, Edith is ready to marry Aylmer. The divorce papers are drawn up and marriage plans are being made. When Bruce returns, Edith quickly realises that the poor man can't manage if he's left to his own idiotic devices. She doesn't love him. Aylmer is the love of her life and she is looking forward to making a new life with him but Bruce's hopelessness arouses pity and concern in her, as well as extreme frustration, and she allows him back into the spare room in the concise house in Knightsbridge. But when is she going to tell Aylmer? Vincy Wenham Vincy - friend and confidant to Bruce, Edith and Aylmer (mentioned in Series 1 and 2, but never given his voice) - finds himself jn the impossible position of keeping secrets from all three of them, and offering advice to them at the same time. The Writer Martyn Wade is a skilled and talented radio writer and dramatist. He has a sure and dry comic touch which is ideal for continuing the stories created by Ada Leverson, a contemporary and friend of Oscar Wilde. Music Used Forgotten Dreams - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra. Edith had been so happy, but Bruce is back home, and Aylmer still doesn't know. | |
| 02 | 20130409 | Series Four (5 episodes) Episode Two Edith's radical proposal - that she should alternate between Aylmer and Bruce on a monthly basis - is about to be implemented and Bruce is not happy. Directed by Tracey Neale The Story: Bruce, Edith and Aylmer are locked in their curious but delightful triangle. Bruce has returned from America, and has been attempting to convince Edith that everything should and can be exactly as it was before. Bruce is still trying to act the domineering husband (despite the fact that he divorced Edith at the end of Series 2) and also continuing to indulge in amorous adventures with other women. Edith is in love with handsome Aylmer and was on the point of marrying him, but although Bruce is a vexation and the single obstacle to her perfect happiness, she would never forgive herself if she abandoned him and he came to grief. As for Aylmer, he's as much in love with Edith as he ever was, and finds Bruce ridiculous and aggravating beyond measure, but - having failed to persuade Edith to ditch her former husband - he must somehow learn to live with a shared Edith, and to endure Bruce. Martyn Wade's sure and dry comic touch is evident once more in his creation of further stories based on Ada Leverson's characters. Edith's radical proposal is about to be implemented, and Bruce is not happy. | |
| 02 | 20140603 | Based on characters from Ada Leverson's trilogy of novels, Martyn Wade draws the delightful and romantic entanglements of the Ottleys to a close. Episode Two When Bruce returns home he discovers a note from Edith. Full of dark foreboding he hurries straight to Aylmer's house in Jermyn Street ... Produced and Directed by Tracey Neale. Bruce discovers a note from Edith that fills him with dark foreboding. | |
| 03 | 20110406 | Series One (5 episodes) Episode Three Aylmer has fallen madly in love with Edith and she with him but they are resigned to being apart Ada..............Haydn Gwynne Bruce............Bertie Carvel Edith.............Juliet Aubrey Aylmer..........Jonathan Firth Anne.............Jane Whittenshaw Hyacinth........Alex Tregear Cecil..............Stuart McLoughlin Directed by Tracey Neale. Aylmer and Edith have fallen madly in love, but they are resigned to being apart. | |
| 03 | 20120808 | Series Three (5 episodes) Episode Three Edith has kept Bruce's return a secret from Aylmer for reasons of diplomacy and in the hope that Bruce might go away again soon but can she count on Vincy remaining silent too? Directed by Tracey Neale Bruce who headed off to the States with Madame Frabelle, has found life with her less than idyllic, and her returns to England (without her) in quick time. However, Edith is all ready to marry Aylmer. The divorce papers are drawn up and marriage plans are being made. When Bruce returns, Edith quickly realises that the poor man can't manage if he's left to his own idiotic devices. She doesn't love him. Aylmer is the love of her life and she is looking forward to making a new life with him but Bruce's hopelessness arouses pity and concern in her, as well as extreme frustration, and she allows him back into the spare room in the concise house in Knightsbridge. But when is she going to tell Aylmer? Vincy Wenham Vincy - friend and confidant to Bruce, Edith and Aylmer finds himself in the impossible position of keeping secrets from all three of them, and offering advice to them at the same time. The Writer Martyn Wade is a skilled and talented radio writer and dramatist. He has a sure a dry comic touch which is ideal for continuing the stories created by Ada Leverson, a contemporary and friend of Oscar Wilde. Music Used Forgotten Dreams - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra. Edith has kept Bruce's return a secret from Aylmer, but will Vincy remain silent too? | |
| 03 | 20130410 | Series Four (5 episodes) Episode Three Feeling abandoned by both Edith and Madame Frabelle, Bruce finds himself at a loose end but then while travelling through Piccadilly he spots a face from the past. Directed by Tracey Neale The Story: Bruce, Edith and Aylmer are locked in their curious but delightful triangle. Bruce has returned from America, and has been attempting to convince Edith that everything should and can be exactly as it was before. Bruce is still trying to act the domineering husband (despite the fact that he divorced Edith at the end of Series 2) and also continuing to indulge in amorous adventures with other women. Edith is in love with handsome Aylmer and was on the point of marrying him, but although Bruce is a vexation and the single obstacle to her perfect happiness, she would never forgive herself if she abandoned him and he came to grief. As for Aylmer, he's as much in love with Edith as he ever was, and finds Bruce ridiculous and aggravating beyond measure, but - having failed to persuade Edith to ditch her former husband - he must somehow learn to live with a shared Edith, and to endure Bruce. Martyn Wade's sure and dry comic touch is evident once more in his creation of further stories based on Ada Leverson's characters. Feeling abandoned by both Edith and Madame Frabelle, Bruce finds himself at a loose end. | |
| 03 | 20140605 | 20140604 (R4) | Aylmer has a dilemma: should he tell Edith the news about Bruce or keep quiet? |
| 04 | 20110407 | Series One (5 episodes) Episode Four Edith is missing Aylmer terribly and she has written asking him to return but will he.....? Ada...........Haydn Gwynne Aylmer......Jonathan Firth Bruce..........Bertie Carvel Edith...........Juliet Aubrey Mavis.........Deeivya Meir Cecil..........Stuart McLoughlin Eugenia......Joanna Monro Anne...........Jane Whittenshaw Hyacinth......Alex Tregear Directed by Tracey Neale. | |
| 04 | 20120809 | Series Three (5 episodes) Episode Four The Ottley residence is out of bounds to Aylmer. As a result, he suspects the worst. Meanwhile, Bruce tries to keep his meetings with Miss Flummerfelt a secret from Edith. Directed by Tracey Neale Bruce, who headed off to the States with Madame Frabelle, has found life with her less than idyllic, and he returns to England (without her) in quick time. However, Edith is all ready to marry Aylmer. The divorce papers are drawn up and marriage plans are being made. When Bruce returns, Edith quickly realises that the poor man can't manage if he's left to his own idiotic devices. She doesn't love him. Aylmer is the love of her life and she is looking forward to making a new life with him but Bruce's hopelessness arouses pity and concern in her, as well as extreme frustration, and she allows him back into the spare room in the concise house in Knightsbridge. But when is she going to tell Aylmer? Vincy Wenham Vincy - friend and confidant to Bruce, Edith and Aylmer - finds himself in the impossible position of keeping secrets from all three of them, and offering advice to them at the same time. He mustn't tell Aylmer that Bruce is back and now he mustn't let Edith know that Bruce is meeting Miss Flummerfelt for tea in the afternoon. The Writer Martyn Wade is a skilled and talented radio writer and dramatist. He has a sure and dry comic touch which is ideal for continuing the stories created by Ada Leverson, a contemporary and friend of Oscar Wilde. Music Used Forgotten Dreams - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra. The Ottley residence is out of bounds to Aylmer. As a result, he suspects the worst. | |
| 04 | 20130411 | Series Four (5 episodes) Episode Four Bruce's curiosity has led to him being trapped in Aylmer's pantry. Will he escape in time for his performance in The Mystery of the Countess of Carmarthenshire's Emerald Snake Bracelet' or will Aylmer have to come to the rescue so the show can go on? Directed by Tracey Neale The Story: Bruce, Edith and Aylmer are locked in their curious but delightful triangle. Bruce has returned from America, and has been attempting to convince Edith that everything should and can be exactly as it was before. Bruce is still trying to act the domineering husband (despite the fact that he divorced Edith at the end of Series 2) and also continuing to indulge in amorous adventures with other women. Edith is in loved with handsome Aylmer and was on the point of marrying him, but although Bruce is a vexation and the single obstacle to her perfect happiness, she would never forgive herself if she abandoned him and he came to grief. As for Aylmer, he's as much in love with Edith as he ever was, and finds Bruce ridiculous and aggravating beyond measure, but - having failed to persuade Edith to ditch her former husband - he must somehow learn to live with a shared Edith, and to endure Bruce. Martyn Wade's sure and dry comic touch is evident once more in his creation of further stories based on Ada Leverson's characters. Bruce is trapped in Aylmer's pantry. Will he escape in time for his performance? | |
| 04 | 20140604 | 20140605 (R4) | Based on characters from Ada Leverson's trilogy of novels, Martyn Wade draws the delightful and romantic entanglements of the Ottleys to a close. Episode Four While Edith confides in Aylmer and Vincy, Bruce finds himself drawn towards the Church but will he find the answers to his questions there? Bearing in mind the Reverend Fraser suffers from severe religious doubts ... Produced and Directed by Tracey Neale. |
| 05 | 20110408 | Series One (5 episodes) Episode Five Much to the dismay of Alymer, Edith has forgiven Bruce for his romantic liaison with another woman. Ada.........Haydn Gwynne Alymer.....Jonathan Firth Bruce.......Bertie Carvel Edith........Juliet Aubrey Mavis........Deeivya Meir Anne.........Jane Whittenshaw Eugenia.....Joanna Monro Hyacinth....Alex Tregear Cecil..........Stuart McLoughlin Directed by Tracey Neale. To Alymer's dismay, Edith has forgiven Bruce for his romantic liaison with another woman. | |
| 05 | 20120810 | Series Three (5 episodes) Episode Five Vincy has been allowed to reveal one secret to Edith and feels so much better but he and Edith now have to decide what's to be done about Bruce. Directed by Tracey Neale Bruce, who headed off to the States with Madame Frabelle, has found life with her less than idyllic, and he returns to England (without her) in quick time. However, Edith is all ready to marry Aylmer. The divorce papers are drawn up and marriage plans are being made. When Bruce returns, Edith quickly realises that the poor man can't manage if he's left to his own idiotic devices. She doesn't love him. Aylmer is the love of her life and she is looking forward to making a new life with him but Bruce's hopelessness arouses pity and concern in her, as well as extreme frustration, and she allows him back into the spare room in the concise house in Knightsbridge. But when is she going to tell Aylmer? Vincy Wenham Vincy - friend and confidant to Bruce, Edith and Aylmer - finds himself in the impossible position of keeping secrets. He still mustn't tell Aylmer that Bruce is back but he has now been able to tell Edith about Bruce meeting Miss Flummerfelt for afternoon tea. It feels good to get that off his chest but now he and Edith must decide what to do about Bruce. The Writer Martyn Wade is a skilled and talented radio writer and dramatist. He has a sure and dry comic touch which is ideal for continuing the stories created by Ada Leverson, a contemporary and friend of Oscar Wilde. Music Used Forgotten Dreams - Max Jaffa with the Palm Court Orchestra. Vincy has been allowed to reveal one secret to Edith and feels so much better. | |
| 05 | 20130412 | Series Four (5 episodes) Episode Five Madame Frabelle is keeping a very close eye on Miss Flummerfelt. Neither aware that Bruce is trying to win Edith back. Aylmer, fretting for the safety of his soldier son, is desperate for Edith to stay with him and break her promise to Bruce. Directed by Tracey Neale Bruce, Edith and Aylmer are locked in their curious but delightful triangle. Bruce has returned from America, and has been attempting to convince Edith that everything should and can be exactly as it was before. Bruce is still trying to act the domineering husband (despite the fact that he divorced Edith at the end of Series 2) and also continuing to indulge in amorous adventures with other women. Edith is is love with handsome Aylmer and was on the point of marrying him, but although Bruce is a vexation and the single obstacle to her perfect happiness, she would never forgive herself if she abandoned him and he came to grief. As for Aylmer, he's as much in love with Edith as he ever was, and finds Bruce ridiculous and aggravating beyond measure, but - having failed to persuade Edith to ditch her former husband - he must somehow learn to live with a shared Edith, and to endure Bruce. Martyn Wade's sure and dry comic touch is evident once more in his creation of further stories based on Ada Leverson's characters. Madame Frabelle and Miss Flummerfelt are unaware that Bruce is trying to win Edith back. | |
| 05 | 20140606 | Based on characters from Ada Leverson's trilogy of novels, Martyn Wade draws the delightful and romantic entanglements of the Ottleys to a close. Episode Five Shocked by Aylmer's words, Bruce makes a decision that could change life for the Ottleys and their friends for ever. Produced and Directed by Tracey Neale. |