Lionel Davidson The Night Of Wenceslas


The Night of Wenceslas In Lionel Davidson’s Golden Dagger award-winning thriller of 1960, young Nicolas Whistler becomes unwittingly involved in a dangerous spying mission to Prague.   He finds himself caught between the secret police and an amorous suitor named Vlasta. Nicolas: Rupert Graves Old Nicolas: John Horsley Vlasta: Joanna Kanska Vowells: Jonathan Adams Pavelka: Sandor Eles Galushka: Steve Hodson Nimck Roddinghead: John Webb Maura: Teresa McElroy Mrs Nolan, Maminka: Linda Polan Josef: Philip Anthony Imre: John Church 1st Agent: Matthew Morgan 2nd Agent: Keith Drinkel Paula: Federay Holmes Dramatised by Frederick Bradnum Director Matthew Walters Saturday-Night Theatre Sat 2nd Jan 1993 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM The novel that launched Davidson's career as a master thriller author. Young Nicholas Whistler, He’s no hero. He’s reckless and arrogant. He barely makes ends meet earning a pittance from his father’s old business partner in the glass business. His girlfriend is far more ambitious than he is pushing him to earn more money. His red MG convertible is his most prized possession, which is in hock. When Nicolas receives a letter about an inheritance from his rich uncle, he quits his job and takes a cash advance. Unfortunately, the money came with conditions. Nicholas returns to the land of his birth in Prague where he will either fail or succeed on his assignment. He is easily lured by the distraction of women and alcohol. He’s petrified but soldiers on. In moments of desperation he rises to the occasion either wisely or foolishly. Some dated vocabulary, which is not surprising as the book was published in 1960.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.