An epic eleven-part adaptation of Mary Renault’s ‘Theseus’ novels
Widely considered as one of the finest historical novelists of the 20th century, Mary Renault brought the ancient world alive, turning age-old myths of gods and monsters into compelling human stories. In The King Must Die and its sequel, The Bull from the Sea, she retells the legend of Theseus, one of the greatest heroes of Ancient Greece.
This enthralling radio adaptation comprises both classic books, charting Theseus’ journey as he leaves the city of his birth and travels through mainland Greece in a quest to discover his true identity and destiny. Brought up in Trolzen, where his grandfather is king, he believes he was fathered by the god Poseidon. But on his 17th birthday, the secret of his parentage is revealed, and his adventures begin.
Crowned year-king of Eleusis, he escapes certain death and voyages to Athens to meet his father, King Aegeus, and claim his heritage. Instead, he becomes a slave and bull-dancer in Minoan Crete – and finds himself facing the malignant Minotaurus in the Labyrinth deep beneath the Palace of Knossos. Returning to Greece, Theseus becomes High King of Attica, but the Fates are not done with him yet. Ahead of him lie dangerous escapades, life-changing encounters, a treacherous betrayal and the fulfilment of a tragic prophecy...
Gary Bond stars as Theseus, with an ensemble cast including Carole Boyd, Frances Jeater, Petra Markham, David March, Clifford Rose, Maureen O’Brien and Sarah Badel.
Text copyright © Mary Renault 1958 (The King Must Die), 1962 (The Bull from the Sea)
Production credits
Written by Mary Renault
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell
Directed by David Spenser
Music by Christos Pittas
Cast
Theseus – Gary Bond
Pittheus – John Westbrook
Aithra/Old priestess – Carole Boyd
Theseus (as a boy) – Ian Bura
Peiros I/Man/Telemon – John Webb
Queen of Eleusis – Frances Jeater
Bias/Baron – Steve Hodson
Kannadls – Nigel Graham
Aegeus/Pholilos – Eric Allan
Priestess/Woman/Medea – Jean Trend
Simo – Stewart Wright
Amyntor – Alex Jennings
Pallans/Kentaur – Spencer Banks
Kerkyon – David Peart
Hypsenor/Page – Richard Bates
Xanthos – John Livesey
Pylas – Philip Sully
Priestess/Nephele – Fiona Walker
Antiklaea/Chryse/Girl – Pauline Siddle
Menesthes – Stuart Organ
Skopas/Sirios – David Banks
Lukos – David Gooderson
Ariadne – Petra Markham
Asterion – David March
Phormion – John Bull
Hippon/Messenger/Page – Richard Huw
Melantho – Jane Knowles
Aktor – William Eedle
Thebe/Macaria – Sarah Finch
Helike – Jill Lidstone
Rhene/Girl – Pip Mayo
Pylia/Naxian girl/Molpadia/Girl – Moir Leslie
The Corinthian/Pyilenor – Clive Panto
Thalestris – Elizabeth Lindsay
Minos – Clifford Rose
Iros/Page/Charioteer – Trevor Brohier
Phaedra – Maureen O’Brien
Pirithoos – James Kerry/Malcolm Stoddard
Hippolyta – Sarah Badel
Hippolytos – Susan Sheridan/Christopher Guard
Akamas – Piers Maxim
With Rosalind Adams, Peter Baldwin, Sean Barrett, James Bryce, Adrian Egan, Vanessa Forsyth, Kerry Francis, Madi Hedd, Richard Hum, Michael Jenner, Esmond Knight, Trevor Martin, David Peart, Margaret Robertson, Howard Samuels, Danny Schiller, Hilda Schroder, Michael Spice, David Timson, Stephen Thorne, Michael Tudor Barnes and Jane Wenham
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5 June-14 August 1983
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
