Jane Poncia
Jane Poncia grew up in Warwickshire and Wales. Aged 18 she happily
left the beautiful countryside and went to smog-ridden London, where
she proved to be the worst secretary in the history of shorthand and
typing. In 1961 she went to New York where she managed to keep her
incompetence without manageable limits. She married an American in
1962, had one son, divorced in 1967 and moved back to London in 1968.
She worked as a freelance journalist and editor, and occasional radio
dramatist. She now lives in Boston, Ma, US. near her son,
daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. (September 2007).
A word from Jane Poncia on radio drama and writing for radio:
Americans have many great aids to modern life, but in one respect
they are seriously deprived; they have no easily accessible radio
drama. The tragic irony of this is that they pioneered this art
form, and the BBC followed their lead. When I tell people I write
radio plays, an opaque look comes over their faces, as though I were
describing some kind of mummers plays devised for country yokels. So
a population of 250 million people will never know the luxury of
curling up in bed, with a hot water bottle, a cat or two, a large mug
of sugary tea, several chocolate biscuits ... and tuning into a radio
play.
From the writer's point of view, to work with an intelligent
director, imaginative and versatile actors, skillful sound
technicians is a privilege. I thank God and the BBC for making this
experience possible.
JANE PONCIA - BBC RADIO PLAYS
79.01.13 Bryan Will Be So Upset*
80.11.21 The Amboise Affair
87.03.10 Looking For Cedric
01.07.10 Burning My Boats
Asterisked items known to exist within VRPCC collections.
NOTES ON THE PLAYS
BRYAN WILL BE SO UPSET....1979
13 Jan 1979 (repeated 12 Apr 1980) During WW2, Margery, a widow, lives with her
mother and obstreperous 10-year-old daughter in a house in the
country. She also
takes in boarders, including a doctor and an officer in need of
temporary housing.
With Penelope Lee, Fulton Mackay, Bernadette Windsor and Eric Allan.
Directed by
Cherry Cookson. (An unsentimental drama enriched by complex
characters and fast-
moving story. GL)
THE AMBOISE AFFAIR....1980
21 Nov 1980. Sixteen year old Luke has driven his parents to despair
with his orange hair and loud music. So, during the summer vacation
from boarding school, they send him to do a French course in Amboise
(France).. There he meets Sheri, a pretty and seductive South
African girl. Together, they decide to leave the course and
hitch-hike across France. During their travels Sheri initiates Luke
into the secrets of love and life. He returns to London
considerably more mature. With Chris Fairbank, Lois Butlin, Judy
Franklin and Patrick Barr
LOOKING FOR CEDRIC....1987
10 March 1987. It's 1939 and everyone expects World War II to break
out any day, but everyone hopes that somehow it won't. Daphne is
married to a colonial administrator in Kenya. She returns to England
for the normal leave, expecting her husband to follow in a few weeks.
When she reaches her mother's house, she learns that her brother
Cedric has gone to France and disappeared. Cedric is a painter and
drinker. One of his art school friends, Roddy, has both the leisure
and the money to set out and look for him, and the two seize this
opportunity to have the affaire they've always wanted to have. They
do find Cedric, but that is not the end of their journey. War is
declared, but Roddy and Daphne hardly notice due to the ups and downs
of their relationship. With Jennifer Hilary, Dinsdale Landen and
Michael Cochrane. Directed by Cherry Cookson.
BURNING MY BOATS....2001
10 July 2001. Jennifer is a 64-year-old divorcee, happily settled
into late middle
age. When an American ex-boyfriend shows up and offers her a new life
back in the
States, she is surprised by how tempting it sounds. With Rosemary Harris, Brian
Greene, Jonathan Keeble and Jennie Stoller. Directed by Cherry Cookson
Page prepared by Greg Linden with the kind cooperation of Jane Poncia.
