Do3 - The Go-Between

**Nick Armstrong** · 08-07-12, 16:33

Originally posted by Russ View Post

I'm looking forward to this, the Radio 3 blurb indicating the adaptor (Frances Bymes) has found a different angle to the piece, that being of an older Leo playing 'detective' with his newly-found 1900 diary. At the same time, I've a feeling I'm going to be completely disappointed, because of the inevitable baggage of the wonderful (and rather neglected) Losey/Pinter film version. Will try to keep an open mind!

Russ

I'd spotted this and shall give it a try. The film (great score by Michel Legrand

) is wonderful but so is the book. It was a favourite of mine in my adolescence, and it was with a pretty seismic frisson that after some years I learned of the connection between fiction and reality. I was at school and Uni with various offshoots of the Haggard family (as in H. Rider Haggard, of "King Solomon's Mines" fame), and two were great friends.

I then learned that my favourite book was the product of a visit by the 14 yo L.P. Hartley to the Haggard family seat, Bradenham Hall in Norfolk http://www.bradenhamhall.co.uk/history.html (which becomes Brandham Hall in the book).

The house had been let to another family (the Moxeys, rather than the Maudsleys) for the summer, and he was invited by his school mate Master Moxey in August 1909 - exactly as happens to Leo in the book. And while there, he learnt of a rumour involving the Haggards, based on discovered correspondence in a drawer, that a daughter had had an adventure with a local man... How much of the rest was based on fact I can't remember.

But it shook me to know that the haunting story was based on the family of people I knew!

**amateur51** · 08-07-12, 17:03

Originally posted by Caliban View Post

I'd spotted this and shall give it a try. The film (great score by Michel Legrand

) is wonderful but so is the book. It was a favourite of mine in my adolescence, and it was with a pretty seismic frisson that after some years I learned of the connection between fiction and reality. I was at school and Uni with various offshoots of the Haggard family (as in H. Rider Haggard, of "King Solomon's Mines" fame), and two were great friends.

I then learned that my favourite book was the product of a visit by the 14 yo L.P. Hartley to the Haggard family seat, Bradenham Hall in Norfolk http://www.bradenhamhall.co.uk/history.html (which becomes Brandham Hall in the book).

The house had been let to another family (the Moxeys, rather than the Maudsleys) for the summer, and he was invited by his school mate Master Moxey in August 1909 - exactly as happens to Leo in the book. And while there, he learnt of a rumour involving the Haggards, based on discovered correspondence in a drawer, that a daughter had had an adventure with a local man... How much of the rest was based on fact I can't remember.

But it shook me to know that the haunting story was based on the family of people I knew!

A fascinating personal insight, Caliban - many thanks.

Hartley is so good at evoking the gradual realisation of adult games that dawns on the boy/adolescent Leo. He was rather a bottled-up man it would appear, for very good well-understood reasons related to his sexuality and his search for personal happiness. It's good to know that the past is indeed a strange country, and they did do things differently there to boys like Leslie Hartley - but it doesn't have to happen that way now

I hope to catch this production but I doubt that it will be today, after the ups & downs at Wimbledon

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 08-07-12, 17:49

Originally posted by amateur51 View Post

A fascinating personal insight, Caliban - many thanks.

Seconded!

**aeolium** · 08-07-12, 19:19

The film (great score by Michel Legrand ) is wonderful but so is the book.

I agree, the book is excellent. The film was as good an adaptation as could have been achieved, with a superb cast, screenplay and, yes, music. The cricket match was unusually well staged (most actors seem to be hopeless at cricket). I did not know that about the background to the book, Caliban - thanks.

**Northender** · 08-07-12, 19:27

A fine film, but the Norfolk accent seemed to escape Alan Bates - as it does many other fine actors.

**aeolium** · 09-07-12, 08:21

Well, I thought it was solidly done, but as so often with adaptations of novels for the Do3 slot so much had to be skated over. I wasn't sure about the device of having the old Lionel in dialogue with his earlier self, the young Leo, though it did serve as a reminder that most of the book takes place as a reminiscence of that 1900 summer, prompted by the discovery of some of his belongings from that time. Harriet Walter was very impressive as Mrs Maudsley, Mr Maudsley much more of a peripheral figure than in the book (or the film), Trimingham almost too diffident. Marion, Ted and the boy parts (especially the singer) were fine, though unfortunately eclipsed for me by the memory of their counterparts in the Losey film (I can't comment on Ted's Norfolk accent

). I hope at least for those who are quite new to this work this adaptation would be of sufficient interest to prompt them to read the book.

**Northender** · 09-07-12, 08:50

Strange that there's been no mention of Hartley's other great book, 'Fly Fishing'.

**amateur51** · 09-07-12, 08:54

Originally posted by Northender View Post

Strange that there's been no mention of Hartley's other great book, 'Fly Fishing'.

Being tonsorially challenged I used to wear a panama hat on sunny days and was constantly referred to by younger colleagues as 'Mr Hartley'

I think it was meant kindly; leastways that's how I took it

**Nick Armstrong** · 09-07-12, 10:40

Originally posted by Northender View Post

Strange that there's been no mention of Hartley's other great book, 'Fly Fishing'.

There's always one....

**Lateralthinking1** · 09-07-12, 15:33

Originally posted by Russ View Post

I'm looking forward to this, the Radio 3 blurb indicating the adaptor (Frances Bymes) has found a different angle to the piece, that being of an older Leo playing 'detective' with his newly-found 1900 diary. At the same time, I've a feeling I'm going to be completely disappointed, because of the inevitable baggage of the wonderful (and rather neglected) Losey/Pinter film version. Will try to keep an open mind!

Russ

Thank you for the post Russ. I read The Go-Between and The Shrimp and the Anemone in my teens. I believe I enjoyed them. Memory now very hazy but perhaps the play will help recall.

Very much enjoyed your post Caliban. A great appetizer for the broadcast.

**ElaineRobbo** · 10-07-12, 07:51

Previous comment about Flyfishing made me smile too. I will declare a bias, my great nephew Oscar Kennedy played Leo, he is not as 'green' in real life but a fine actor and a great production. I read The Go Between for 'O' level (as they were then) and remember I felt cross with both Leo and Marion at the end.

**Nick Armstrong** · 10-07-12, 07:57

Originally posted by ElaineRobbo View Post

Previous comment about Flyfishing made me smile too. I will declare a bias, my great nephew Oscar Kennedy played Leo, he is not as 'green' in real life but a fine actor and a great production. I read The Go Between for 'O' level (as they were then) and remember I felt cross with both Leo and Marion at the end.

Great to read that, welcome on board!

And

for your great nephew!! I've only dipped in briefly to make sure my recording had worked, will listen properly with time permits.

Do3 - The Go-Between

Do3 - The Go-Between

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