Kidnapped and Catriona

Summary

A classic BBC Radio adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novels of adventure and romance

First published in 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson's rollicking historical novel Kidnapped was an instant bestseller. It was followed by an 1893 sequel, Catriona, which Stevenson regarded as his 'high water mark', declaring that he would 'never do a better book'. Included here is the epic 10-part BBC radio dramatisation of both action-packed tales.

Narrated by the central character, David Balfour, this riveting retelling sees him looking back over his eventful life and recalling his escapades as a young man. It begins in 1751, with Scotland in turmoil in the aftermath of the Jacobite rebellion. Newly orphaned, 17-year-old David sets out for Edinburgh and the House of Shaws, to meet his rich Uncle Ebenezer. Betrayed by his scheming relative and kidnapped, he finds himself aboard the brig Covenant, to be sold into slavery in America - but the ship has a castaway on board, a certain Alan Breck...

Though David is a Lowlander and Alan a Highland Jacobite, the two become fast friends. Together they face danger on the high seas and in the Scottish wilderness, as they head south to confront the treacherous Ebenezer and claim David's fortune. But even with his inheritance secured, our hero's adventures are not over. He must find safe passage to France for Alan, endeavour to prove a man's innocence - and win the heart of Catriona, the feisty granddaughter of infamous outlaw Rob Roy McGregor.

David Rintoul stars as David Balfour, with Paul Young as Alan Breck and Gerda Stevenson as Catriona. Among the distinguished cast are Rikki Fulton, Sandy Neilson, Rose McBain, Iain Cuthbertson and Siobhan Redmond.

First published 1886 (Kidnapped) and 1893 (Catriona)

Production credits
Written by Robert Louis Stevenson
Dramatised by Catherine L. Czerkawska
Directed by Marilyn Imrie

Cast
David Balfour - David Rintoul
Alan Breck - Paul Young
Ebenezer Balfour - Rikki Fulton
Hoseason - Jonathan Battersby
Campbell - John Shedden
Ransome/Seaman - Ray Dunsire
Jennet - Marilyn Gray
Landlord/Seaman - Tam Dean Burn
Riach - Billy Riddoch
Shuan/Seaman - Stuart Bishop
Gaelic fisherman/Highland gillie/Gaelic servant/Neil - John Carmichael
Mr Henderland - Henry Stamper
Crofter - Ian Stewart
Neil Roy - Iain Agnew
Mungo - Brown Derby
Colin Campbell - Sandy Neilson
James of the Glens - Bob Docherty
Mistress Stewart - Rose McBain
Cluny Macpherson - David McKail
John Breck MacColl - Finlay McLean
Mistress McLaren - Ann Louise Ross
Alison Hastie - Terry Cavers
Mistress Rankeillor - Harriet Buchan
Rankeillor - Gerard Slevin
Torrance - Iain Wotherspoon
Stewart the Writer - Iain Cuthbertson
Catriona - Gerda Stevenson
The Lord Advocate Prestongrange - Russell Hunter
James More - Alec Heggie
Balfour of Pilrig - Michael Elder
Simon Fraser - John McGlynn
Barbara Grant - Siobhan Redmond
Isabella Grant - Ann Lannan
Jean Grant - Hilary Lyon
Woman/Goodwife - Ann Scott Jones
Porter/Robin Oig - John Buick
Servant - Simon Donald
Mistress Ogilvy - Edith MacArthur
Duncansby - Ian Briggs
Robert Macintosh - Leon Sinden
Andy Dale - Tony Roper
Sheriff - Paul Kermack
Duke of Argyle - Charles Kearney
Duncan Dhu McLaren - Simon Donald
Doig - John Shedden
Capt Sang - Don Gallagher
Sprott - Finlay Welsh

First broadcast BBC Radio 4 16th June - 25th August 1985

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