Racine’s Tragedies: A BBC Radio Drama Collection

Four neo-classical tragedies from the renowned French dramatist, with star-studded casts including Timothy West, Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan Jean-Baptiste Racine stands with Molière and Corneille as one of the three premier dramatists of 17th-century France. A foundational figure in both Western and world literature, he is chiefly known for his tragic masterpieces. Mingling Ancient Greek myth with French classical flair, the four works in this collection are among his finest. Phaedra – First performed in 1677 and based on Euripides’ Hippolytus , this gripping drama tells the tale of the eponymous queen, married to Theseus, who is consumed by an obsessive passion for her stepson Hippolytus. When her illicit love is revealed, the consequences are catastrophic. Barbara Jefford , Christopher Guinee and Paul Daneman star alongside Prunella Scales and Timothy West in Racine’s tragic tale of desire, madness, guilt and remorse. Andromache – Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, this fatalistic tale revolves around unrequited love. Pyrrhus, Achilles’ son, is in love with Andromache, whom he has brought as a captive to his court in Epirus. But Pyrrhus is betrothed to Hermione, who adores him, while she is likewise idolised by Orestes, who has been sent by the Greeks to demand the killing of Andromache’s son, Astyanax. The devastating force of their emotional conflict leads to murder, suicide and madness… Starring Suzanne Bertish, Sarah Collier, Alec Heggie and David Rintoul . Mithridates – Nymphaeum, 70 BC. When King Mithridates returns unexpectedly after being reported dead in battle, he finds his two sons, Pharnaces and Xiphares, vying for his throne and the heart of his betrothed Queen, Monima. Suspecting treachery, he devises a trap to test their loyalties – only to find his worst fears confirmed… Geraldine McEwan, Marius Goring, Clifford Norgate and Martin Jarvis star in this masterful portrait of forbidden passion, sibling rivalry and betrayal. Berenice – Famously described by Racine himself as possessing a ‘majestic sadness’, this heartbreaking drama focuses on a love triangle between Titus, the Roman Emperor, Berenice, Queen of Palestine and Antiochus, King of Commagene. Titus longs to marry Berenice, but knows the people of Rome would never accept a foreign consort. Antiochus, meanwhile, hopes against hope that Berenice will one day return his devotion. Torn between duty and happiness, all three must decide whether to follow their hearts, or accept their fates. Starring Peter Egan, Rachel Gurney and John Rye . Phaedra Phaedra – Barbara Jefford Hippolytus – Christopher Guinee Theseus – Paul Daneman Oenone – Sheila Allen Aricia – Prunella Scales Theramenes – Timothy West Panope – Madi Hedd Ismène – Alexa Romanis Andromache Andromache – Suzanne Bertish Hermione – Sarah Collier Orestes – Alec Heggie Pyrrhus – David Rintoul Pylades – Paul Young Cleone – Beth Robens Cephisa – Diana Olsson Phoenix – James Cairncross Mithridates Mithridates, King of Pontus – Marius Goring Monima. affianced to Mithridates and already proclaimed Queen – Geraldine McEwan Arbates Governor of Nymphaeum fort – William Fox Phaedima– Joan Haythorne Arcas– John Forrest Sons of Mithridates Pharnaces – Clifford Norgate Xiphares – Martin Jarvis Berenice Antiochus, King of Commagene – John Rye Arsaces - Michael Kilgarriff Berenice, Queen of Palestine – Rachel Gurney Phoenissa, confidante of Berenice – Margaret Wolfit Titus, Emperor of Rome – Peter Egan Paulinus, confidant of Titus – William Eedle Rutilus, a Roman – Nigel Lambert © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. ? 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd