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The Stuarts
- The Epic BBC Radio 4 Drama
- Narrated by: Anton Lesser, Bill Paterson, Blake Ritson, Brian Cox, Fenella Woolgar, full cast, James Fleet, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Kate O'Flynn, Pip Torrens
- Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins
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The Stuarts
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Summary
Eleven BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas telling the stories of Mary Queen of Scots and the Stuart royals
Under the Stuarts, Britain entered the modern world. But with great change came turmoil, and for 111 years, the Stuart monarchs faced dynastic struggles, religious conflict, the rise of parliamentary democracy – and civil war. These dramas chart that turbulent epoch through its royal family, from Mary, Queen of Scots to the ‘last Stuart’, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s daughter Charlotte.
It Came In with a Lass – 1561. Arriving in mist-shrouded Scotland, Queen Mary must quickly distinguish her friends from her enemies. Starring Jeany Spark as Mary.
To Make the Plough Go Before the Horse – James I’s life and reign told through his relationships, from his first love, Esme to his last favourite, George Villiers. Starring Bill Paterson as James I and VI.
A World of Fools and Knaves – Henrietta Maria, Charles I's Catholic queen, watches her husband fail to keep hold of the reins of government. Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt as Charles I.
This War Without an Enemy – Only on the morning of his execution can Charles I begin to understand the events that brought him to to the scaffold. Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt as Charles I.
Charles II, Part One: Through the World in Various Fortune – When news of Oliver Cromwell's death reaches Brussels, the exiled Charles II plots his return. Starring Jamie Parker as Charles II.
Charles II, Part Two: The Long Lease of Pleasant Days– Charles II plots to confound parliamentary reformers and secure the throne for his brother. Starring Pip Torrens as Charles II.
James II: The Storms of this Deceitful World– 1688. After just four years as King, James II flees England in the Glorious Revolution. How did it all go so wrong? Starring James Fleet as James II.
William III and Mary II: To Have and To Hold– Dutch William marries his Stuart cousin for reasons of politics, not passion – but their partnership proves crucial when it comes to ruling England. Starring Mark Edel-Hunt as William III and Elaine Cassidy as Mary.
Queen Anne: Myself Alone– Queen Anne must abandon long-held allegiances to command parliament’s loyalty and rule with authority. Starring Fenella Woolgar as Queen Anne.
Bonnie Prince Charlie: Who Dares to Be Free– Charles Edward Stuart, the ‘Young Pretender’, risks everything for the Stuart name. Starring Blake Ritson as Charles.
Charlotte Stuart: The Last Stuart – Is Charlotte Stuart as driven as her predecessors, or the last victim of the Stuart curse? Starring Kate O’Flynn as Charlotte.
Produced and directed by Jessica Dromgoole, Sasha Yevtushenko, Marc Beeby and Gemma Jenkins.
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What listeners say about The Stuarts
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- sam
- 07-01-21
Brilliant
brilliant as always from Mike Walker, not as compelling as The Plantagenets but still a must listen, you cannot help but feel frustrated at the protaganists failure to learn from history, especially James II. beautiful
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 02-02-22
Engaging story telling
Great performances all round. Always interesting, it brings this period of history to life, excellent writing.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Sammy
- 21-09-19
The Stuarts
A great series. I would recommend this to anyone interested in this period of history
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rufus
- 02-09-19
Well worth buying, as were the Plantagenet series (also by Mike Walker) 5* for the story.
Excellent writing and narration. Shame character actors change on continued storylines. Worth reading "Plantagenet" first .
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Deborah
- 23-08-19
Overall Excellent But Contains Historical Errors
Overall I enjoyed this series of dramas, However, I've read a great deal about William III and Mary II and I noticed a number of errors in their drama and I imagine there were an equal number in the other dramas. Let me give some examples: First, when William was adopted by the province of Holland at age 15, Bentinck was the only member of his old household who was allowed to stay with him. Second, he and Bentinck were in their mid-twenties when they had smallpox, not teenagers,. Finally Mary died of smallpox not just a fever and William did not die of a broken collar bone—he died of pneumonia as his autopsy makes plain. His deathbed is totally wrong but I understand why it was written that way since the writer wants to portray William as an enigma. However, the scene where he is playing the harpsichord and singing is hilarious since he is known to care little for music. Still overall the series is excellent.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anne, Highlands
- 11-01-20
Enjoyed immensely
Superb writing, acting and production. Was sad when I’d finished. Long live mike Walker’s plays!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- TaD
- 24-09-19
A Delightfully Produced Epic Listen
No one does dramatisations like the BBC. The quality of actors, production and stories made the entire sage rivetting.
A great opportunity to learn more intimate details about these famous and not so famous monarchs, their lives, motivations and the dubious cast if characters that surrounded them.
Well worth a long, relaxed, listen.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Archieblackcat
- 06-09-22
Well written, and researched dramatisation
This is an excellent BBC dramatisation performed by an outstanding cast who are credible and very funny.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Carole Kendall
- 01-04-21
History comes alive
This was a very interesting listen. Taught me lots I didn't know and the dramatisation brought out the pathos of the story of this unfortunate and tragic dynasty.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andy Joyce
- 14-05-20
If you loved the Plantagenets
After purchasing and enjoying Mike Walkers the Plantagenets I decided my next purchase would be The Stuarts. I was not disappointed
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