A Spotlight on Old Ned

Dedicated reader Joppy commented on the previous post to say that radio plays based on the "To The Manor Born" TV series are currently available on BBC Radio 4 Ex in Britain. I was delighted to find that I could access them in the United States via my laptop. 

Those steeped in Audrey and Richard's TV adventures will find the stories they know and love slightly rewritten for their radio presentations. For example, the first radio episode, "The Rhythms of the Earth," is an adaptation of the third TV episode, so it helps to know the set-up for the series--that Audrey loses the mansion to Richard--before diving into the radio program. But one enjoyable aspect of that first radio episode is a beefed-up role for Ned. He appears briefly in episode 1 of the original TV series, but it's not really until episode 3, "The Rhythms of the Earth," that he comes into his own as a character.

Old Ned (2nd from left) acts as pallbearer
 for Audrey's deceased husband
in Episode 1 of the TV series.

Ned, or Old Ned as he introduces himself to Richard, is a lifelong worker on Audrey's family estate. He's a jack of all trades, able to turn his hand to any work that needs doing. This includes mending the local clocks. This includes the clock that sits atop the church tower. In Episode 3 of the TV series, Audrey sees him outside the church after the Sunday morning service. She asks him if he can take a look at her grandfather clock, then walks back home. 

Original TV series writer Peter Spence changes things slightly for radio. In his new, upscale vision, Ned drives a tractor to and from church. Thus, Audrey sensibly adds the proviso that Ned first drop off the load of manure in the tractor he's driving. But Ned doesn't appear to hear the request, as he's just started up the tractor's engine. Peter Spence develops this idea through the radio episode, with characters mentioning at one point that there's a certain smell associated with Audrey's clock, which Ned has taken away to fix. 

In the TV series, Ned is an incidental character for the most part. Here he is, in TV episode two. He doesn't get any lines, but he hands her a small bunch of wildflowers as she leaves the manor.

Audrey thanks him for the flowers, and wishes him all the best with his cucumbers.

Later in the radio version of "The Rhythms of the Earth," as Richard wanders his estate, his conversation with Old Ned is longer than its TV counterpart. The overall effect is that, at least for this first episode of the radio series, his role is much larger. This elevates him from a minor character, to part of the regular ensemble. As Old Ned was one of my favorite characters in the TV series, I enjoyed his greater presence in the radio episode.

I look forward to listening to more of the radio series, and seeing (or should I say hearing) how Peter Spence adapted his original stories for a new medium. Oh, and Thank You, Joppy, for letting me know the radio programs were available. What a wonderful way, as Audrey might say, to demonstrate your sense of noblesse oblige.

Dragon Dave

P.S. To listen to "The Rhythms of the Earth," follow the link below.

To The Manor Born Radio Episode