Mrs Palfrey At The Claremont By Elizabeth Taylor

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

'if It's Not Nice, I Needn't Stay'

20180813

On a rainy January afternoon, the recently widowed Laura Palfrey arrives at the Claremont Hotel on the Cromwell Road.

Apprehensive but doughty, she settles into her room without a view, and begins to meet the other residents.

For the long-term residents of the Claremont Hotel life revolves around waiting for dinner, the nine o'clock serial and visitors. Mrs Palfrey assures her new friends that her grandson will soon be making an appearance.

Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece. First published in 1971, it is both tender and sharp in its depiction of old age.

Read by Eleanor Bron.

Abridged in five parts by Robin Brooks.

Producer: Natalie Steed

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2018.

The recently widowed Laura Palfrey arrives at the Claremont Hotel. Read by Eleanor Bron.

Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.

'but We Aren't Allowed To Die Here'

20180814

Mrs Palfrey's grandson Desmond still doesn't visit.

Laura falls in the street and is rescued by Ludo, a young and impoverished writer. She invites him to dine with her at the Claremont Hotel and somehow lets it be understood by the other residents that he is her grandson Desmond. Ludo willingly plays along.

Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.

Read by Eleanor Bron.

Producer: Natalie Steed

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2018.

Mrs Palfrey meets Ludo and falls into a lie.

Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.

'a Breath Of Spring'

20180815

Ludo turns up at the Claremont with violets.

Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.

'blood Was Thinner Than Water'

20180816

Mrs Palfrey enjoys a pie and the real Desmond makes a visit

Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.

'she Had Such Lovely Manners'

20180817

Mr Palfrey gives Ludo £50 but omits to mention it's a loan. She falls and breaks her hip and is taken to hospital where she is visited by Ludo and Desmond, but not her daughter.

Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.

Concluded by Eleanor Bron.

Producer: Natalie Steed

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2018.

Mrs Palfrey loans Ludo money. She falls, breaks her hip and is taken to hospital.

Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	'if It's Not Nice, I Needn't Stay'	20180813	On a rainy January afternoon, the recently widowed Laura Palfrey arrives at the Claremont Hotel on the Cromwell Road. Apprehensive but doughty, she settles into her room without a view, and begins to meet the other residents. For the long-term residents of the Claremont Hotel life revolves around waiting for dinner, the nine o'clock serial and visitors. Mrs Palfrey assures her new friends that her grandson will soon be making an appearance. Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece. First published in 1971, it is both tender and sharp in its depiction of old age. Read by Eleanor Bron. Abridged in five parts by Robin Brooks. Producer: Natalie Steed First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2018. The recently widowed Laura Palfrey arrives at the Claremont Hotel. Read by Eleanor Bron. Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.
02	'but We Aren't Allowed To Die Here'	20180814	Mrs Palfrey's grandson Desmond still doesn't visit. Laura falls in the street and is rescued by Ludo, a young and impoverished writer. She invites him to dine with her at the Claremont Hotel and somehow lets it be understood by the other residents that he is her grandson Desmond. Ludo willingly plays along. Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece. Read by Eleanor Bron. Producer: Natalie Steed First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2018. Mrs Palfrey meets Ludo and falls into a lie. Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.
03	'a Breath Of Spring'	20180815	Ludo turns up at the Claremont with violets. Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.
04	'blood Was Thinner Than Water'	20180816	Mrs Palfrey enjoys a pie and the real Desmond makes a visit Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.
05	'she Had Such Lovely Manners'	20180817	Mr Palfrey gives Ludo £50 but omits to mention it's a loan. She falls and breaks her hip and is taken to hospital where she is visited by Ludo and Desmond, but not her daughter. Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece. Concluded by Eleanor Bron. Producer: Natalie Steed First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2018. Mrs Palfrey loans Ludo money. She falls, breaks her hip and is taken to hospital. Eleanor Bron reads Elizabeth Taylor's poignant and witty masterpiece.