Five BBC Radio adaptations of the works of William Makepeace Thackeray—plus bonus features.

Best known today for his comic masterpiece, Vanity Fair, W. M. Thackeray was regarded in his time as the only rival to his contemporary, Charles Dickens. This collection includes a selection of his finest satirical fiction, as well as two fascinating programmes exploring his life and writings.

Vanity Fair - Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, Thackeray's deliciously ironic tale of passion and ambition follows the fortunes of penniless, social-climbing Becky Sharp and her wealthy, sweet-natured best friend, Amelia Sedley. Starring Stephen Fry as the Narrator, with Emma Fielding as Becky, Katy Cavanagh as Amelia and Toby Jones as Jos.

Barry Lyndon - Forced to leave his native Ireland after an unfortunate duel, young Redmond Barry embarks on a series of adventures that take him from the battlefields of the Seven Years War to the highest courts of Europe and the drawing rooms of English society. Gerard McSorley and Andrew Scott star in Thackeray's picaresque classic alongside Shelia Hancock and Kenneth Cranham.

The Yellowplush Papers- Adam Buxton stars in these five comic tales about the rise and fall of canny Regency footman Charles Yellowplush.

Pendennis - Thackeray's semi-autobiographical coming-of-age tale charts the youthful exploits of handsome, impoverished Arthur Pendennis as he leaves his home in the country to make his way in London society. Dominic Guard stars as Arthur, with Hugh Dickson as The Writer.

The Newcomes - Featuring characters from Vanity Fair and narrated by Arthur Pendennis, this epic saga tells the story of several generations of a respectable English family, centring around Colonel Thomas Newcombe and his artist son, Clive. Starring Simon Lack, Carleton Hobbs and Nigel Grahame.

Al Murray on Thackeray - Comedian Al Murray talks about his great-great-great-grandfather, William Makepeace Thackeray, and why he thinks Vanity Fair is still relevant today.

Andrew Davies/William Thackeray - James Naughtie and a group of readers chat to Andrew Davies about Thackeray's classic novel, Vanity Fair, which he adapted for BBC TV in 1998.

NB: Due to the age and nature of some of the recordings, the sound quality may vary.

First published 1837 (The Yellowplush Papers), 1844 (The Luck of Barry Lyndon), 1848 (Vanity Fair), 1849-50 (Pendennis), 1855 (The Newcomes)

Cast and credits

Written by W. M. Thackeray

With thanks to Keith Wickham

Contents List:

Vanity Fair

Barry Lyndon

The Yellowplush Papers

Pendennis

The Newcomes

Al Murray on Thackeray

Andrew Davies on William Thackeray