EPISODE · Feb 17, 2026 · 4 MIN
001 - Hindle Wakes Introduction
from Hindle Wakes · host Stanley Houghton
In the bustling seaside town of Blackpool, Alan Jeffcote, the son of the wealthiest factory owner, Nat Hawthorn, finds himself entangled in a passionate affair with Fanny Hawthorn, the spirited daughter of Nats long-time friend and rival. Their clandestine romance takes them to Llandudno, where they believe their secret will remain safe. However, tragedy strikes when Fannys friend, Mary, dies in a boating accident, unraveling their hidden affair and thrusting both families into chaos. Written by the acclaimed Stanley Houghton, a leading figure of the Manchester School of realist dramatists, Hindle Wakes premiered in 1911 and captivated audiences at Mrs. Hornimans Gaiety Theatre in Manchester and London’s Aldwych Theatre the following year. With five film adaptations, including a notable 1976 TV version starring Donald Pleasance, Houghtons masterpiece cleverly intertwines the themes of love, betrayal, and societal expectations, all while playfully referencing the wakes week holiday and a traditional Lancashire dish. (Summary by Phil Benson)
What this episode covers
In the bustling seaside town of Blackpool, Alan Jeffcote, the son of the wealthiest factory owner, Nat Hawthorn, finds himself entangled in a passionate affair with Fanny Hawthorn, the spirited daughter of Nats long-time friend and rival. Their clandestine romance takes them to Llandudno, where they believe their secret will remain safe. However, tragedy strikes when Fannys friend, Mary, dies in a boating accident, unraveling their hidden affair and thrusting both families into chaos. Written by the acclaimed Stanley Houghton, a leading figure of the Manchester School of realist dramatists, Hindle Wakes premiered in 1911 and captivated audiences at Mrs. Hornimans Gaiety Theatre in Manchester and London’s Aldwych Theatre the following year. With five film adaptations, including a notable 1976 TV version starring Donald Pleasance, Houghtons masterpiece cleverly intertwines the themes of love, betrayal, and societal expectations, all while playfully referencing the wakes week holiday and a traditional Lancashire dish. (Summary by Phil Benson)
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001 - Hindle Wakes Introduction
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