The Leopard in Autumn explained

Show Name:The Leopard in Autumn
Format:Comedy drama
Runtime:30 minutes
Country: United Kingdom
Language:English
Home Station:BBC Radio 4
Starring:David Swift
Siân Phillips
Graham Crowden
Saskia Wickham
First Aired:4 April 2001
Last Aired:12 June 2002
Num Series:2
Num Episodes:12
Audio Format:Stereophonic sound

The Leopard in Autumn was a BBC comedy-drama radio series by Neil Anthony set in the fictional principality of Monte Guano in Renaissance Italy. Its title was a reference to the 1966 play by James Goldman The Lion in Winter. It was run for 12 episodes between April 2001 and June 2002 on BBC Radio 4 and repeated on BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2011, 2012 and 2024.[1]

Synopsis

The Leopard in Autumn follows the lives of the ruling family and court of Monte Guano, a small and impoverished Italian principality. Prince Ludovico II ("the Magnificent") is the impious ruler of Monte Guano, but repeatedly finds his political ambitions thwarted, both by the financial demands imposed by the Pope on Monte Guano and by his family. Princess Plethora is a much more intelligent and thoughtful character who is behind many successful ploys to improve Monte Guano's financial clout. She is good friends with Countess Rosalie, Ludovico's "official mistress" who arrived in Monte Guano with the intention of marrying the eldest son of the Prince. Salvatore, the eldest son, wants to go into the church (to become pope) and thus could not marry. Unfortunately for him, his career cannot start because his family do not have enough money to pay to have him ordained priest. His (excessive) private devotion to Catholicism brings him into friction with the youngest brother Guido, a Protestant, and devotee of Martin Luther's works. The middle brother, Allesandro, to the disappointment of his father wishes to be an artist and inventor, and thus requires financial support (and a degree of tolerance) from his father.

Other characters include Francesco, frustrated poet, chronicler and secretary to Ludivico. His constant inebriation and frustrated poetic ambitions are the subject of several jokes.

Throughout the series, Ludivico's speech is characterised by his use of the word "Sneck" as a form of swearing.

Both series are set in the period from 1520 to 1523.

Cast

The Leopard in Autumn starred David Swift as Prince Ludovico, ruler of Monte Guano; Siân Phillips as his wife Princess Plethora; Graham Crowden as Francesco (Ludovico's secretary); Saskia Wickham as Countess Rosalie (Ludovico's mistress) and as Ludovico's perpetually squabbling sons: Nick Romero as the religious Salvatore, Paul Bigley as Allesandro (artist and inventor) and Christopher Kelham as Guido (a staunch Lutheran).

Episodes

Series 1

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst broadcastDescription[2] References
11The Caramba Campaign4 April 2001The Prince of Monte Guano is badgered by his wife to wade into war.
2The Pilgrim Industry11 April 2001The ruling family of Renaissance Italy's puniest city-state plot to attract pilgrims.
3The Coining of the Capricorn18 April 2001The ruling family of Italy's puniest city-state aim to introduce a new currency.
4The Pride and the Peacemaker25 April 2001Renaissance Italy's Prince Ludovico buys a cannon, and Princess Plethora wants to confess.
5The Wild Man of the Woods or
The Future Begins Here
2 May 2001Prince Ludovico battles enemies, as his wife tries reconciling their sons.
6Plethora Princess Regent9 May 2001Awaiting news of a new Pope, Plethora takes over Monte Guano and Ludovico takes to bed.

Series 2

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst broadcastDescription[3] References
21Considering The Lilies of the Field8 May 2002Prince Ludovico must raise the cash for a papal tribute.Pope Adrian VI features in this episode which was set in January 1522 though his nationality was changed from Dutch to German. Both popes Alexander VI and Leo X are mentioned as fixing the tribute demanded of Monte Guano.
Ludivico graphitis a limerick in the 'Lavatorium' - "One would think with all this wit, young Rabelais came here to...", a reference to François Rabelais' Gargantua and Pantagruel in which he suggested using a goose's neck in lieu of toilet paper.
Francesco is revealed as a disciple of a "Giovanni Berti" (probably Giovanni Boccaccio) and his book on "Business Management for the Man of Parts". At the end of the episode, the volume is part of a Book burning held by Ludovico.
2An Englishman Abroad15 May 2002Renaissance Italy's pettiest state Monte Guano hosts a suspect English lord.
3Salvatore's Apotheosis22 May 2002Plethora decides that son and heir Salvatore must be ordained as a priest.Salvatore is compared with Girolamo Savonarola.
4The Bonfire of the Sanities29 May 2002Plethora plots to get rid of a crowd of peasants, whilst bumping up Monte Guano's coffers.Title is a parody of Renaissance "Bonfire of the Vanities"
5Confessions5 June 2002Salvatore is hell bent on making his family take confession - and cleaning up the cherubs.
6Royal Wedding Blues12 June 2002Countess Rosalie no longer loves Prince Ludovico - can Princess Plethora save the day?Catherine of Extravaganza (Guido's fiance) is clearly modelled on Catherine of Aragon. Plethora offers Ludivico a glass of "Guano Spumante," a take of the Italian wine "Asti Spumante".

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://epguides.com/LeopardinAutumn The Leopard in Autumn (a Titles & Air Dates Guide)
  2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s6lgx/episodes/guide#b00bvt75 BBC Radio 4 Extra – The Leopard in Autumn – Episode guide
  3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s6lgx/episodes/guide#b00rvz05 BBC Radio 4 Extra – The Leopard in Autumn – Episode guide