Forster's Maurice On Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 will today start broadcasting a two part adaptation of Maurice by E.M. Forster.

A story tells of homosexual love in early 20th century England, and follows Maurice Hall from his schooldays, through university and beyond. The book was written around 1913. Although Forster showed the manuscript to selected friends, such as Christopher Isherwood, it was only published in 1971 after Forster's death.

The novel is remarkable as what is probably the first positive description in 20th century literature of same-sex love as romantically fulfilling. Forster resisted publication because of public and legal attitudes to homosexuality at the time of writing — a note found on the manuscript read: "Publishable, but worth it?".

The novel was made into a film, Maurice (1987), directed by James Ivory and starring James Wilby as Maurice, Hugh Grant as Clive and Rupert Graves as Alec.

Further reading:
* With Downcast Gays, Andrew Hodges and David Hutter, The Gay Liberation pamphlet, 1974
* Transvaluing immaturity: reverse discourses of male homosexuality in E.M. Forster's posthumously published fiction, Stephen Da Silva, spring 1998
* Roaming the Greenwood, Colm Tóibín, London Review of Books, Vol. 21 No. 2, 21 January 1999
* Heroes and homosexuals: education and empire in E. M. Forster, Quentin Bailey, Automn 2002


Maurice
By E M Forster, dramatised by Philip Osment.
Directed by David Hunter.

Cast:
Maurice ...... Alex Wyndham
Clive ...... Bertie Carvel
Alec ...... Joseph Kloska
E M Forster ...... John Rowe
Mrs Hall ...... Christine Kavanagh
Ada ...... Eleanor Howell
Kitty ...... Jasmine Callan
Miss Olcott ...... Amy Hayes
Dr Barry ...... John Dougall
Young Maurice ...... Josh Freeborn
Young Dickie ...... Piers Stubbs
Mr Ducie ...... Simon Treves
Howell ...... Sam Dale
Featherstonhaugh ...... Chris Moran
Chapman ...... Jot Davies
Risley ...... Ben Righton
Mrs Durham ...... Liza Sadovy

BBC Radio 4 Classic Serial
Sunday 15 and 22 July, 3.00-4.00pm
Repeated Saturday 21 and 28 July, 9.00-10.00pm
Each episode will also be available on Listen Again for a week after broadcast.