BBC Radio Play of the Week :Clarissa, with Richard Armitage

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by SB Sarah | by SB Sarah | March 16, 2010 | Tuesday at 9:26 pm | 27 Comments

Pria and other kind folks have forwarded me this audio link to the BBC’s radio play of the week, Clarissa, by Samuel Richardson. The part of Robert Lovelace is read by Richard Armitage - which will send many hears a-fluttering.

It’ll only be available until 21 March, so listen and enjoy while you can!

Filed: General Bitching, The Link-O-Lator

Tagged: richard armitage, radio, bbc

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Katherine C. said on 03.16.10 at 11:29 PM • [link]

Yummy. I could sit and listen to Richard Armitage all day (although thus far we haven’t heard much from him). Definitely made me want to read the book.
Ros said on 03.16.10 at 11:40 PM • [link]

It’s perhaps worth noting that the link takes you to Part 1 of what is a four part serial, with the remaining parts to be broadcast over the next three Sunday afternoons. And, yes, it’s an excellent adaptation.

Sadly, I read in the paper just today that BBC Radio has decided to dispense with its drama department (who produced Clarissa, along with many other stunning productions), subsuming it under its documentaries department. The number of slots for radio drama has been declining in recent years and I fear it’s becoming increasingly marginalised. It would be great if lots and lots of Smart Bitches listened in to Clarissa and helped to buck the trend!
Ros said on 03.16.10 at 11:44 PM • [link]

Here’s the article about radio drama, including a review of Clarissa.
Hannah said on 03.16.10 at 11:46 PM • [link]

Well, I’m trying to listen on my Ipod touch, but I’m getting the message that the BBC Iplayer is not supported outside the UK. So I can listen to it on the computer but not on my Ipod—huh?
Ros said on 03.16.10 at 11:51 PM • [link]

Hannah, that’s odd. BBC radio is definitely legally available outside the UK on iPlayer, and I don’t know why the iPod would stop you from listening to it.
Claudia said on 03.17.10 at 12:27 AM • [link]

This comment adds absolutely nothing to the conversation, other than to say that I love that man’s voice. He could read the phone book and I’d still sigh like a fool.
silverflame said on 03.17.10 at 01:32 AM • [link]

Oh I can’t wait to listen to this! I absolutely love him and his voice is like sex and chocolate and red velvety wine all at once…
quichepup said on 03.17.10 at 02:13 AM • [link]

Thank you! I just finished watching the last episode of Robin Hood and was feeling a little down but this is wonderful! Great adaption, I never made it through Clarissa and he is the perfect Lovelace.

For the Armitage fans out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa7wlPTJfvY
MarieC said on 03.17.10 at 03:24 AM • [link]

Ah! Still loving RA from ‘North and South’ and ‘Vicar of Dibley’....Wish he could be more visible in America….
Riza said on 03.17.10 at 03:26 AM • [link]

Also, for those of us who like Mr. Armitage and have young children to amuse, he reads a series of bedtime stories for BBC’s children’s TV (Cbeebies). The first one’s here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSeFkmIN37Q

(I’m sorry if these have been posted before!)
Susan/DC said on 03.17.10 at 04:08 AM • [link]

How can I believe in a just universe when Richard Armitage appears so rarely in it? I remember Sean Bean as Lovelace in a TV production of “Clarissa”; much as I love me some SB, I had mixed feelings about that one. Of course, the book is itself problematic.
Saam said on 03.17.10 at 04:41 AM • [link]

Ooh, he’s so deliciously sinister! I can feel myself melting…
More RA, please!
Conferencing Services said on 03.17.10 at 06:04 AM • [link]

I care for drama but not in point it lust. Love is inspiring and gives color in life.
sara said on 03.17.10 at 06:28 AM • [link]

Yeah, um, the fluttering is somewhere south of my heart, y’all.
Katherine B. said on 03.17.10 at 08:35 AM • [link]

I am so on this. I downloaded the abbreviated version of Georgette Heyer’s ‘Sylvester” just to hear Richard Armitage. Decent Naxos adaptation, with the period music interludes adding a lot! He’s going to be doing Venetia, as well, which should be great. Armitage as Lord Demerel, the reforming rake!
Mafuane said on 03.17.10 at 11:47 AM • [link]

LOL the harp trilling when they first meet XD
lina said on 03.17.10 at 03:15 PM • [link]

Note: What follows is the teensiest bit spoilery.

I listened to the first part and thought it was really well done, but I was a little puzzled about the seeming Austenization of this particular work. Wonder what they’ll do when it, um, gets not so nice? Anyone who has read the book knows what I mean. Really, _Clarissa_ should probably come with a trigger warning: I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to soft-pedal some of the more appalling aspects.
AllyJS said on 03.17.10 at 04:05 PM • [link]

Note: What follows is the teensiest bit spoilery.

I listened to the first part and thought it was really well done, but I was a little puzzled about the seeming Austenization of this particular work. Wonder what they’ll do when it, um, gets not so nice? Anyone who has read the book knows what I mean. Really, _Clarissa_ should probably come with a trigger warning: I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to soft-pedal some of the more appalling aspects.

More spoilery things:
Yeah I was wondering about that. I’m trying not to fall in love with Lovelace because of those “more appalling aspects” But it’s really really hard because that voice…gah that voice.
Ros said on 03.17.10 at 06:52 PM • [link]

I’m expecting to get the more appalling aspects in all their gory detail. I could be wrong but they don’t usually shy away from that sort of stuff on radio 4.
Jan said on 03.17.10 at 07:09 PM • [link]

I’ve been part of Armitage’s Army for several years now. Richard is classically trained and a great Shakespearean actor as well as his contemporary work. More, more, more.
claire said on 03.17.10 at 07:44 PM • [link]

My heart is definitely fluttering. Is Robin Hood available on the internet or on tv in America, somewhere free preferrably?
Janina said on 03.17.10 at 08:49 PM • [link]

@ Claire
If you subscribe to Netflix you can get the whole first season and most of the second season (all but the last 3 episodes) on DVD and instant-queue. The third season is only on DVD right now though… I keep hoping for reruns on BBC America…
robinjn said on 03.17.10 at 11:10 PM • [link]

Oh my, I must go give a listen. Though I confess I LOVED Sean Bean on the BBC production. Even though I could only get it in a horribly copied (and recopied and recopied) VHS. He was so wickedly awful. And so beautiful.

Kept wanting to slap Clarissa and say, “honey its SEAN BEAN! Jump him already!”
claire said on 03.17.10 at 11:12 PM • [link]

thanks Janina! I need to remember to stop closing down the Netflix window when it pops up and finally subscribe to it. I have a good reason to now. I wonder if I do, if that annoying ad will stop popping up so much. :)
Saam said on 03.18.10 at 01:42 AM • [link]

Katherine B:
Venetia is already available! http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/437912.htm there’s a sample just for if you need a little more of his vocal talents…
cate said on 03.18.10 at 02:54 AM • [link]

Ladies, if you adore the divine Mr Armitage, you’ll go ballistic if you can get hold of Spooks . (BBC production)
He puts ALL previous examples of Tall, Dark + Tormented to shame. ... 8 years in a Russian prison will do that you know !
Katherine B. said on 03.18.10 at 06:23 AM • [link]

Oh, I saw the sample of Venetia…I just can’t buy it yet. It tells me, all prim, “Not until April!”

Not that I don’t love my old audio copy of Venetia read by San Philips…but well. You know. Richard.