BBC R4 - My Family And Other Animals

BBC R4 - Gerald Durrell's 'My Family And Other Animals'

Adapted by Janys Chambers

Music by James Mackie

Directed by Polly Thomas

Broadcast July 7 and 8, 2001

Coded from tape at 128/44.1



Gerald Durrell [1925-1995] founded the Durrell

Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Jersey Zoo.

His brother was/is novelist Lawrence Durrell.



In 1935 the eccentric Durrell family moved from

South London to Corfu. This play shows their life

there, and Gerald's early researches into the

natural world.



The Lawrence shown here is not the brooding man of

'The Alexandria Quartet'. Gerald said of Lawrence:



'The difference between us is that he loves writing

and I don't. To me it's simply a way to make money

which enables me to do my animal work, nothing more.'



You wouldn't know it from the quality of his prose.



Cast

Adult GerryWill Tacey

Mother - Celia Imrie

Gerry - Adam Usden

Larry - Toby Jones

Margo - Anna Kirke

Leslie - Paul Hunter

Spiro - Andreas Markos

Dr Androuchelli - Graeme Hawley

Dr Stephanides - Graeme Hawley

Lugaretzia - Katia David