The Shadow of a Doubt

World premiere of a newly discovered play by Edith Wharton from 1901, starring Phoebe Fox, Francesca Annis, Paul Ready, David Horovitch and Don Gilet.

Introduced by Laura Rattray, Reader in American Studies, University of Glasgow
Adapted for radio by Melissa Murray
Directed by Emma Harding

Long before she achieved fame with her novel, 'The Age of Innocence', Edith Wharton wrote a number of plays. But they were all believed lost until two academics, Laura Rattray and Mary Chinery, discovered the complete manuscript of 'The Shadow of a Doubt' in 2017. Wharton's play - which pivots on the issue of assisted suicide - was about to be staged in New York in early 1901, before the production was abandoned for unknown reasons.

Kate, a former nurse, has recently married above her class to John Derwent, whose first wife Kate had nursed following an horrific accident. But others are suspicious of Kate's social ascent. And others have knowledge that could destroy her.

Kate Derwent.....Phoebe Fox
John Derwent.....Paul Ready
Sylvia Derwent.....Rosie Boore
Lord Osterleigh.....David Horovitch
Lady Uske.....Francesca Annis
Dr Carruthers.....Don Gilet
Clodagh Nevil.....Alexandra Constantinidi
Bobby Mazaret.....Cameron Percival
Footman.....Lewis Bray
Mrs Fullerton.....Emma Handy