Jane Austen - Persuasion (dramatic reading)

More than eight years before the novel opens, Anne Elliot, then a lovely, thoughtful, warm-hearted 19 year old, accepted a proposal of marriage from the handsome young naval officer Frederick Wentworth. He was clever, confident, and ambitious, but poor and with no particular family connections to recommend him. Sir Walter, Anne's fatuous, snobbish father and her equally self-involved older sister Elizabeth were dissatisfied with her choice, maintaining that he was no match for an Elliot of Kellynch Hall, the family estate. Her older friend and mentor, Lady Russell, acting in place of Anne's late mother, persuaded her to break the engagement. Now 27 and still unmarried, Anne re-encounters her former love when his sister and brother-in-law, the Crofts, take out a lease on Kellynch. Wentworth is now a captain and wealthy from maritime victories in the Napoleonic wars. However, he has not forgiven Anne for rejecting him. While publicly declaring that he is ready to marry any suitable young woman who catches his fancy, he privately resolves that he is ready to become attached to any appealing young woman except for Anne Elliot. (Summary by Wikipedia) Cast List Narrator: Bob Neufeld Sir Walter Elliot: Algy Pug Lady Russell: Libby Gohn Mr. Shepherd / Mr. Musgrove: ToddHW Mrs. Clay: Michele Eaton Sir Basil: Richard Friday Anne Elliot: Elizabeth Barr Mary Musgrove: Amanda Friday Elizabeth Elliot: Eden Rea-Hedrick Mrs. Musgrove: Maria Kasper Charles Musgrove: Jason Mills Henrietta Musgrove: TriciaG Louisa Musgrove: Charlotte Duckett Captain Frederick Wentworth: Max Körlinge Mrs. Croft: Frances Brown Admiral Croft: Larry Wilson Charles Hayter: Bill Mosley Innkeeper / Sir William Elliot: Beth Thomas Waiter / First Lady: Elizabeth Klett Captain Harville: mb Mrs. Harville: WoollyBee Lady Dalrymple: Katalina Watt Mrs. Smith: Loveday Second Lady: Kristin Gjerløw Third Lady: Maryanka Edited by Michele Eaton