W. Somerset Maugham - Christmas Holiday
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- Опубліковано 13 лип 2023
- CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.....
By God, what a time I am going to have,' thinks Charley when at Christmas 1938 he goes to Paris to visit his old schoolfriend Simon. As ignorant of the storm clouds lowering over Europe as he is of any world outside his own comfortable, cultured middle-class English background, Charley does not have quite the Christmas that he expected.
CAST.....
Elizabeth Lindsay / Lydia Berger
Anthony Daniels / Simon Fenimore.
Peter Rumney / Charley Mason
Monica Grey / Venetia Mason
Jeffrey Segal / Leslie Mason
Jenny Funnell / Patsy Mason
Carole Boyd / Mlle Ernestine
Mary Wimbush / Mme Berger
George Parsons / Robert Berger
Richard Durden / Hotel manager
David Goodland / Detective
CREDITS.....
Written by W. Somerset Maugham
Dramatisation by Jeffrey Segal
Directed by Graham Gauld
Pianist: Mary Nash
First Broadcast on December 28, 1986
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My favourite writer. During his 90 year lifetime, he was known as "the most famous writer in the world"---and well deserved.
" the hotel room is a bit grand - it has a bathroom !" How our requirements have changed since 1938 !
Maugham was underrated during his lifetime. His stories are so insightful and interesting.
He was hugely popular in his lifetime. Maybe the best-selling author of his time. He was considered somewhat middle-brow compared to Hemingway, Graham Green, Evelyn Waugh, James Joyce, and so on. Even so, he was an excellent writer and certainly insightful indeed. Maybe he wasn't "radical" enough compared to the above and DH Lawrence etc.
@granthurlburt4062 I agree. I think it was the political outlook of the day who dismissed Maughen and elevated Lawrence. As an undergraduate, I felt the same way. Coming to back to them on old age, I can't read Lawrence and Somerset is a favourite. Senile sentimentalism?
Somerset Maugham was the best short story ever!
Seconded by Guy de Maupausant which is nothing to sneer at.
This instantly made me think of The Talented Mr Ripley
One of his best in terms of culture clashings, and the understanding of different lives., the 'haves' and 'have nots' ! So much difference in the sensibilities even within western nations. Absolutely brilliant, enjoyed it very much!
Maugham always delivers well crafted satisfying stories.Thanks for posting.
Maugham at his best. His understanding of the “lower” classes and the emotions that flow through them, as opposed to the taughtness of the English upper class is always poignant. The way Charles learns about real life grows slowly, but deeply, yet he is every bit a somewhat naive young English gentleman.
The actress who played Lydia is totally brilliant - her normal emotions, her morality, her philosophy come through beautifully. And her voice and accent are marvelous. Thank you so much for posting this play. 🎭🌹
For anyone who found this story boring, you either in a bad mood or have no understanding of the feeling and milieu of the time, which is very evident and problematically ugly. The reasoning of his friend, Simon, is not only scary, but very evident in our time, also. And, it’s not a bit funny!!!! 😐😦
This is good! Great portrait of a time & place from the history of my culture I'll never see. Lydia in particular is very well acted. I had no idea Maugham would indicate sexual activity so well and discreetly!
I was born in November of 1940.🎉
My Mum was born in January 1940. We just celebrated her 84th birthday on the 18th! 🎂
Hehe.. The whole world turned upside down ... We having it now! And is not a good one!
Everyone should such an adventure !
What a great play. I loved Lydia's philosophy of life and how it effected Charlie's life and it's contrast with Simon's philosophy.
Where is Maugham's first-person narrator? Was this a play or short story?
Why did Simon hit Charlie and end their friendship??
Terrible background buzzing and whirring. So disappointing.
Not great audio - but I’m glad I persevered!
I thought Charles Dickens was the greatest . Of course, 1:46 S. M is great❤
❤ WSM, ♥ Mary Wimbush, but….idk if it’s the writing or the acting but this one is not up to par, imo. Ty for the chance to hear this adaptation.
I kept waiting to feel something for these characters, but they all seemed like silly people posing. Not sure what I was supposed to come away with. The writing isn’t clever just contrived. Either Maugham hasn’t worn well or perhaps this isn’t a great example of his work. Or maybe as one commenter suggested the acting is not up to par. In any case the overall effect is dreary.
Perhaps you would enjoy one of his many other short stories or novels. He's a writer than gains a place with each generation so I would say he's stood the test of time for many. My favourite novel of his is 'Mrs Craddock' as it describes an independent thinking woman's choices in life and the impact they have as if he's entered the head of the character. Other favourite novels of mine are 'Of Human Bondage', 'The Painted Veil' and also 'The Razors Edge' all of which have been filmed a number of times in different decades. His short stories were made into a series of compilation films one of which is "Quartet". You may enjoy one of these and understand why he is rated as a writer by many.
About 10 minutes in, it got a bit gay for my tastes… I bailed…