The BBC has recently posted schedules of several upcoming programs that appear to mark its recognition of Waugh’s death 60 years ago in 1966. Most prominently it has commissioned Russell Kane to record commentaries on 7 of Waugh’s books. These will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 starting 2 March. The series is entitled “Waugh: What’s He Good For?” Here is their description:
Many people hold Evelyn Waugh among the best British writers of the 20th Century -Russell Kane is one of them. To mark the 60th anniversary of his death, Russell delves into seven of Waugh’s most important works.
While Waugh has been unfashionable for some time, Kane believes it’s high time to turn back to him. He says he was way ahead of his time and, in his books, he reveals ourselves to ourselves and uncovers clues for how we should live our lives today.
Over seven episodes, Waugh tells us everything we need to know about the cluttered corridors of English culture – its class system, media, cult of masculinity, colonial hang-ups: everything it’s made of, good and bad. Not only does Waugh show our society for what it is, but he demonstrates how it can be hacked – infiltrated by savvy interlopers like himself. And Russell sees a kindred spirit.
Waugh may be a divisive figure, with the public reputation of a pantomime villain. Some say Waugh’s vitriolic streak, cultural insensitivity and idolisation of the upper classes should condemn him to the male, pale and stale literary past – but Russell believes he is prescient, not reactionary, that he was ahead of his time. Waugh holds the least flattering of mirrors up to us – and actually, it’s not Waugh but what we see that we don’t like.
In episode 1, we turn the pages of Decline And Fall (1928) – a book about social mobility. Russell knows what it’s like to be dropped into a social milieu to which you don’t belong. The novel is clever, depicting an array of characters from different backgrounds who all want to join a party they’re not invited to – and none of them behave as they ought. How do you penetrate what it’s vulgar to aspire to, and what do you do when you leave your background behind?
The details are available at this link.
On the same day there will be a rebroadcast of a 1990 production of Waugh’s novel The Loved One. This will also appear on BBC Radio 4 and will consist of three 30 minute episodes. Here’s a decription:
Hollywood, 1947. Failed poet/screenwriter Dennis Barlow has disgraced the English community by taking a job in a pets’ cemetery.
He is given the chance to redeem himself by arranging a colleague’s funeral, but love rather than redemption looms at the Whispering Glades Funeral Home.
Starring Rupert Graves as Dennis Barlow and Miranda Richardson as Aimee Thanatogenous.
Evelyn Waugh’s 1948 satire on the American way of death, adapted in three episodes by Bill Matthews.
Dennis Barlow …. Rupert Graves
Aimee Thanatogenous …. Miranda Richardson
Sir Ambrose Abercrombie …. Donald Pickering
Sir Francis Hinsley …. Ronald Fraser
Baumbein …. Bob Sessions
Mrs Heinkel …. Lorelei King
Mr Heinkel …. Garrick Hagon
Mr Schultz …. Graham Hoadly
Came …. Elizabeth Mansfield
Erikson …. Simon Treves
Schindler …. David BannermanProducer: Lissa Evans
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1990.
Information is available here.
Finally, there will be a rebroadcast of a 1953 interview of Waugh by three BBC interviewers. This interview was part of a series called “Frankly Speaking.” It had important ramifications for Waugh’s future writing as was reflected in his novel The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold as described in the BBC’s notice:
Brideshead Revisited author Evelyn Waugh is grilled about his life and career by a panel of three:
* Charles Wilmot
* Jack Davies
* Stephen BlackRegarded as one of the most brilliant novelists of his day, Waugh loathed the BBC.
His grandson Alexander believes that this interview, along with a cocktail of sleeping draughts, helped to send him “rather mad”. The author later turned his experience on Frankly Speaking into a scene in his novel ‘The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold’ with Stephen Black becoming the character Angel who haunts Pinfold in his hallucinations.
Launched in 1952 on the BBC Home Service, Frankly Speaking was a novel, ground breaking series. Unrehearsed and unscripted, the traditional interviewee/interviewer pairing was initially jettisoned for three interviewers firing direct questions – straight to the point.
Early critics described it as ‘unkempt’, ‘an inquisition’ and described the guest as prey being cornered, quarry being pursued – with calls to axe the unscripted interview. But the format won out and eventually won over its detractors.
Unknown or very inexperienced broadcasters were employed as interviewers, notably John Freeman, John Betjeman, Malcolm Muggeridge, Harold Hobson, Penelope Mortimer, Elizabeth Beresford and Katherine Whitehorn.
Only about 40 of the original 100 programmes survive.
First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in November 1953.
The rebroadcast will be on BBC Radio 4 Extra, 28 Feb 2026. Details appear at this link.
