Charlotte Jones Radio Plays
Charlotte Jones graduated from Balliol, having read English. After a spell as an actress she began writing. She has a considerable talent for it. Her recent play HUMBLE BOY played at the National before being adapted for radio.
Charlotte is about 34 with a young son. (N.D., May 08)
TITLES
17/06/98 Mary Something Takes The Veil
17/09/98 Airswimming
19/04/99 Future Perfect
07/05/99 Postcards (serial, Woman's Hour)
18/02/00 A Seer of Sorts
13.01.01 Sea Symphony for Piano and Child. R3.
05/03/01 Blue Air, Love & Flowers
05/09/03 The Sound of Solitary Waves
26/04.04 Mia and Maia
06/04/05 Dolly's Mexican Wave
05/09/06 The Sound of Solitary Waves, rpt.
23/06/07 Humble Boy
NOTES
HUMBLE BOY....2007
By Charlotte Jones. Saturday play, 90m. 23 Jun 07. Felix Humble is a Cambridge scientist with plenty of brains butlittle sense.
Like Einstein, he's in search of a Unified Field theory. Following the death of his father, he returns to his
home and his mother. He soon realises that his life is a sham and a substitute for real living; he can't relate
to ordinary people. There are some moments of high comedy. Cast: Adrian Scarborough as the
academic no-hoper, Diana Rigg as the mother, Marcia Warren, Nicky Henson, Cathryn Bradshaw, John Standing. Producer
Steven Canny.
Summarised excerpt from review by Moira Petty, in "The Stage":
Charlotte Jones fields a different type of anti-hero in Humble Boy. Her astro-physicist Felix
is bullied by his mother, overshadowed by his late father, outwitted by his one-time lover and even the
equations which will bring him academic fame elude him. Jones has always written for radio so it
is appropriate that this, her greatest theatrical hit, should have been adapted for it.
Felix vacillates between optimism and pessimism.
Adrian Scarborough played him with a touching elegiac quality that brought to mind a young Alan
Bennett. As his mother, Diana Rigg was overbearing but finally revealed a telling humanity. Marcia Warren
as her drudge of a friend made what could have been a cliche into a fully-fleshed character while Nicky
Henson was splendidly bouncy as Rigg’s suitor.
Mia and Maia....2004
26 Nov 04. Friday Play. Conjoined twin Mia and Maia long to be separate. As their 21st birthday nears, they approach American surgeon Dr Browne to take up their challenge. Cast:
Mia ...... Tracy Wiles,
Maia ...... Clare Yuille,
Mamma ...... Ellie Haddington,
Pappa ...... Tom Mannon,
Dr Browne ...... Stephen Hogan,
Nurse ...... Buffy Davis,
Mrs Browne ...... Emily Wachter,
Flight Attendant ...... Jason Chan.
Produced by Clare Grove. Shortlisted for Tinniswood Award, 2004.
THE SOUND OF SOLITARY WAVES....2003
Toby Jones/Shaun Parkes/Claire Rushbrook/Ben Crowe/Jemma Churchill/Li-eng Au. I wrote a review of this
at the time but can't find it .... interesting play; seem to remember some connection with Physics....can a single wave exist, in isolation from the one in front and the one behind? Parallels are drawn between this and 'waves' in a relationship, if my memory is correct. Nominated for a Sony Award, 2004.
BLUE AIR, LOVE AND FLOWERS....2001
Sophie takes David to a Chagall exhibition, in a last-ditch attempt to kick-start their relationship, and finds the paintings full of Russian romance. With Nicholas Farrell, Julia Ford, Mia Soteriou and Jon Strickland. Directed by Claire Grove.
Sea Symphony for Piano and Child....2001
"The Wire", Radio 3: A series of plays by contemporary writers. An innocent 1960s seaside outing takes an alarming turn when a child goes missing. With Emily Woof (Marnie), Becky Hindley (Mother), David Thorpe (Father), Nicola Wall (Young Marnie), Ben Crowe (Donkeyman), Helen Ayres (Clairvoyant), Alex Trinder (Lifeguard) and Clare Corbett (Mother 2). Directed by Claire Grove. Pianist: Colin Guthrie.
A SEER OF SORTS....2000
In 1860 in the hallowed quarters of Dr Isaiah Kindle, celebrated and mysterious eye doctor of Shoreditch, a beautiful young woman shares a terrible secret. With Emma Fielding, Philip Voss and Jonathan Coy. Director: Claire Grove.
FUTURE PERFECT....1999
A doctor disappears, and his wife discovers an army of missing persons in her search for him and the future perfect. With Lesley Vickerage, Harry Myers and Sandra James Young. Director Claire Grove.
AIRSWIMMING....1998
Charlotte Jones's uplifting comedy of friendship, fantasy and freedom. 1924. Persephone is planning her coming-out ball when she finds herself consigned to a rather puzzling finishing school, St Dymphna's Hospital for the Criminally Insane. With Sophie Thompson, Charlotte Jones, Marcia Warren, Elizabeth Bradley and Geoffrey Whitehead. Director Jonquil Panting.
MARY SOMETHING TAKES THE VEIL....1998
A novice nun is about to take her final vows. All the nuns are called Sister Mary Something, the name of the saint to whom they dedicate themselves. She must find the right one before Brother Paul comes to take her confession. With Colleen Prendergast and Akbar Kurtha. Director Claire Grove.
compiled by Nigel Deacon / Diversity website
