The Robe

A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation

De: Lloyd C. Douglas

Narrado por: Edward de Souza, Anton Lesser, Helena Breck, Stuart Organ, Annette Crosbie, Full Cast

A full-cast dramatisation of the bestselling Biblical adventure story by Lloyd C. Douglas

Weary of governing, the half-crazed Emperor Tiberius retreats to Capri, leaving his loathsome stepson, Prince Gaius, in charge of an increasingly corrupt Rome. Few dare speak out against him – so when young tribune Marcellus Gallio insults him at a banquet, he is sent away on a punishment posting to a remote hill-fort in Palestine.

On arrival, he is invited to take a detachment of legionaries to Jerusalem, to help keep order during Passover. But once in the city, he finds himself officiating at the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. To blot out the horror, he gets drunk and takes part in a dice game, where he wins Christ’s robe – but the garment affects him strangely, and he suffers a complete nervous collapse.

Accompanied by his faithful slave Demetrius, Marcellus sets out on a journey, hoping to heal his mind and learn more about the man he was ordered to crucify. But will he put himself and everyone he cares about in danger...?

Meanwhile, Marcellus’ childhood sweetheart Diana has rushed to Capri to plead with Tiberius to send him back home. But the Emperor has his own plans for his beautiful granddaughter, and will not let her leave. Caught up in a madman’s manoeuvrings, can she escape to freedom? And what fate awaits her if she does?

One of the most popular novels of the 1940s, The Robe was No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list for a year, and in 1953, it was made into an Oscar-winning movie starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons. Adapted for radio in 1987, this epic tale of love, faith and redemption won the Silver Sony Award for Best Dramatisation, and stars Edward de Souza as the Narrator, Anton Lesser as Marcellus, Stuart Organ as Demetrius, Helena Breck as Diana and Annette Crosbie as Empress Julia.

Written by Lloyd C. Douglas

Dramatised by David Buck

‘Miriam’s Song’ composed by David Timson

Directed by Martin Jenkins

Cast

Narrator/Tiberius – Edward de Souza

Marcellus Gallio – Anton Lesser

Senator Gallio – Bernard Hepton

Demetrius – Stuart Organ

Diana – Helena Breck

Tuscus – Brian Hewlett

Quintus – Christian Rodska

Lucia – Susie Brann

Tertia – Deborah Makepeace

Prince Gaius – Keith Drinkel

Marcipor – Manning Wilson

Boy – Elizabeth Lindsay

Cornelia – Pauline Letts

Captain Manius – Sean Arnold

Sextus – Henry Stamper

Paulus – David Buck

Melas – Timothy Bateson

Pontius Pilate – John Castle

Paula – Rachel Gurney

Pilate’s aide/Second soldier – Steven Harrold

Dion/Centurion/Groom – Brian Hewlett

Chamberlain – Alan Dudley

Theodosia – Sue Broomfield

Benjamin – Cyril Shaps

Justus – John Bennett

Philip – Alkis Constantouris

Stephanos – David Timson

Benyosef – Cyril Luckham

Simon Peter/Captain – Anthony Jackson

Trader/Prisoner – Tim Reynolds

Warder/Drunken soldier/First soldier/Caligula – Jonathan Tafler

Miriam – Karen Ascoe

Reuben – Clive Swift

Naomi – Linda Polan

Guard/Sentry – Kim Wall

Empress Julia – Annette Crosbie

Atreus/Driver/Slave – David Goodland

Serving girl – Elaine Claxton

Overseer/Sentry – Richard Durden

Antonia – Jennifer Piercey

Woman/Salome – Sheila Grant

Sarpedon – David March

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 April-17 May 1987

© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Extremely well done!

I so enjoyed this adaptation so much that I bought the full novel to listen to next. I had never watched the movie or read the original book before. I pre- ordered this last year when it was first advertised and I am so glad it came out for Holy Week. Thank you for making this and other classic novels available.

Superb Dramatization of a Classic

I first read The Robe when I was in middle school and remember loving it. This BBC Radio dramatization vividly brings Lloyd C. Douglas's epic novel to life.

Punished for offending the prince of the Roman Empire, tribune Marcellus is given the duty of commanding a band of ragtag soldiers in a little regarded outpost. When Marcellus's unit is taxed with crucifying three criminals on the sacred holiday of Passover, Marcellus's life becomes irrevocably bound with the innocent man whose robe he gambles for and wins. As Marcellus learns more about Jesus and those who follow Him, he learns about himself and must make momentous ddecisions that will change his life forever. Meanwhile, Diana, the woman Marcellus loves, is held prisoner by Emperor Tiberius, and the followers of Jesus incur the wrath of Rome. Marcellus must decide if he can trust the One whom he killed. If he does, nothing will be the same. Many lives converge in this epic masterpiece.

I love how Douglas vividly portrays the Roman Empire with its decadence, fallibility and dangers. This BBC production does well in employing dramatic sound effects and superb voice acting to bring Douglas's settings to life. Anton Lesser is outstanding as Marcellus, bringing complexity to his role as he grows from a somewhat insolent young man into a man of conviction and courage. Helena Breck is wonderful as Marcellus's love, Diana. The other cast members do amazing work as well, particularly the actor portraying Marcellus's loyal slave Demetrius. The actors playing Emperor Tiberius and Emperor Caligula bring terrifying madness to their roles, although Tiberius is a bit more empathetic. I loved how the Christian characters were also portrayed with fallibilities and strength, thus providing a well-rounded portrayal of both the Roman Empire and the Christian movement as it grew.
An excellent dramatization of a classic, this radio production is worth a listen. God bless you all.

Meredith Leigh Burton, author of Janice Everet: A Southern Gothic Jane Eyre Retelling