The Robe
A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation

A full-cast dramatisation of the bestselling Biblical adventure story by Lloyd C. DouglasWeary of governing, the half-crazed Emperor Tiberius retreats to Capri, leaving his loathsome stepson, Prince Gaius, in charge of an increasingly corrupt Rome. Few dare speak out against him – so when young tribune Marcellus Gallio insults him at a banquet, he is sent away on a punishment posting to a remote hill-fort in Palestine.On arrival, he is invited to take a detachment of legionaries to Jerusalem, to help keep order during Passover. But once in the city, he finds himself officiating at the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. To blot out the horror, he gets drunk and takes part in a dice game, where he wins Christ’s robe – but the garment affects him strangely, and he suffers a complete nervous collapse.Accompanied by his faithful slave Demetrius, Marcellus sets out on a journey, hoping to heal his mind and learn more about the man he was ordered to crucify. But will he put himself and everyone he cares about in danger...?Meanwhile, Marcellus’ childhood sweetheart Diana has rushed to Capri to plead with Tiberius to send him back home. But the Emperor has his own plans for his beautiful granddaughter, and will not let her leave. Caught up in a madman’s manoeuvrings, can she escape to freedom? And what fate awaits her if she does?One of the most popular novels of the 1940s, The Robe was No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list for a year, and in 1953, it was made into an Oscar-winning movie starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons. Adapted for radio in 1987, this epic tale of love, faith and redemption won the Silver Sony Award for Best Dramatisation, and stars Edward de Souza as the Narrator, Anton Lesser as Marcellus, Stuart Organ as Demetrius, Helena Breck as Diana and Annette Crosbie as Empress Julia.Written by Lloyd C. DouglasDramatised by David Buck‘Miriam’s Song’ composed by David TimsonDirected by Martin JenkinsCastNarrator/Tiberius – Edward de SouzaMarcellus Gallio – Anton LesserSenator Gallio – Bernard HeptonDemetrius – Stuart OrganDiana – Helena BreckTuscus – Brian HewlettQuintus – Christian RodskaLucia – Susie BrannTertia – Deborah MakepeacePrince Gaius – Keith DrinkelMarcipor – Manning WilsonBoy – Elizabeth LindsayCornelia – Pauline LettsCaptain Manius – Sean ArnoldSextus – Henry StamperPaulus – David BuckMelas – Timothy BatesonPontius Pilate – John CastlePaula – Rachel GurneyPilate’s aide/Second soldier – Steven HarroldDion/Centurion/Groom – Brian HewlettChamberlain – Alan DudleyTheodosia – Sue BroomfieldBenjamin – Cyril ShapsJustus – John BennettPhilip – Alkis ConstantourisStephanos – David TimsonBenyosef – Cyril LuckhamSimon Peter/Captain – Anthony JacksonTrader/Prisoner – Tim ReynoldsWarder/Drunken soldier/First soldier/Caligula – Jonathan TaflerMiriam – Karen AscoeReuben – Clive SwiftNaomi – Linda PolanGuard/Sentry – Kim WallEmpress Julia – Annette CrosbieAtreus/Driver/Slave – David GoodlandServing girl – Elaine ClaxtonOverseer/Sentry – Richard DurdenAntonia – Jennifer PierceyWoman/Salome – Sheila GrantSarpedon – David MarchFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 April-17 May 1987© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd