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Available for over a year

A new adaptation of Horace Walpole’s gothic novel, widely recognised as being the godfather of modern horror. The adaptation by Katherine Tozer with specially composed music by John Chambers embraces the lurid nature of the original text, evoking a fever dream reality designed to conjure an experience that’s both eerie and disturbing. Set in Medieval Italy, Manfred is the despotic ruler of Otranto. Defying the curse that foretells his downfall he prepares to use whatever means necessary to hold onto power. Manfred ….. Sandy Grierson Hippolyta ….. Emily Bruni Mathilda ….. Kitty Archer Isabella ….. Cecilia Appiah Bianca ….. Bethany Muir Theodore ….. Jake Kenny-Bryne Father Jerome ….. Arthur Hughes Frederic ….. Justin Salinger Directed by Tracey Neale Produced by Gemma Jenkins Production Co-ordinator: Maggie Olgiati A ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Studios production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4. The Castle of Otranto is widely credited with single-handily creating the phenomenon of The Gothic Novel. The novel was penned over several months in late 1764 by Horace Walpole and published under the pretence that it was a 'found' manuscript from an ancient library speaking of true-life horror. The book's breathless pace and supernatural opening, packed with unexplainable happenings and sinister portents, anticipate everything from Frankenstein and Dracula, right up to the present-day Twilight Saga. By turns lurid, sensational and slyly amusing, this literary tour-de-force gripped the Georgian public by the throat and held them riveted. As Walter Scott put it, the novel taps 'that secret and reserved feeling of love for the marvellous and supernatural, which occupies a hidden corner in almost everyone's bosom.' And coming to Radio 4 later on this year, the gothic theme continues with a new adaptation of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, written as a parody in response to Walpole's novel.