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Five
Stories of an Hour
based
on the short story 'The Story of an Hour', by Kate
Chopin; adaptations by Kathleen Potter, David Stafford
and Michelene Wandor
A
Thames TV production.
First broadcast in 1988.
Directors: Paul Kafno (stories one, three,
five), Greg Lanning (story two) and David Hodgson (story
four)
Production Designers: Anne Diamond (stories
one, three, five) and Alison Wratten (story four)
Costume Designers: Pam Doolan (stories one,
three, four, five) and Fran Bolwell (story two)
Makeup: Angela Seyfang (stories one, three,
four, five)
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Cast
(in
alphabetical order) |
Jilly Bond.....Josephine,
Louise's Sister
Julian Gartside.....Brently Mallard
Zoë Wanamaker.....Narrator; Louise Mallard
Christopher Luscombe.....Richards |
Production |
| Five Stories of an
Hour, as the title suggests, comprises five adaptations of The
Story of an Hour, a short story from the pen of American writer
Kate Chopin. Written in 1894, Chopin's tale explores
relationships between the sexes. When Louise Mallard hears
that her husband has been killed in a railroad accident, she
realises, during the course of the following hour, that she may
actually enjoy life alone. A shock revelation, however,
brings a bitter twist to the afternoon's events. In the
first sequence Zoe narrates the original story to camera.
The second adaptation dramatises the tale, while the third, a
monologue by Louise's husband, Brently, reveals a few home
truths about the couple's marriage. For the fourth
re-telling the plot is more freely adapted, with an alternative
ending. Following biographical information about Chopin,
the final rendition sees Zoe read the story once again, dressed
as the author in period costume. Produced for The English
Programme, Five Stories of an Hour draws out some of the key
issues in Chopin's work for a modern audience. |
Pictures |
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