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]

The Leopard in Autumn
GenreComedy drama
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 4
StarringDavid Swift
Siân Phillips
Graham Crowden
Saskia Wickham
Created byNeil Anthony
Written byNeil Anthony, Sue Limb and Roger Danes
Original release4 April 2001 –
12 June 2002
No. of series2
No. of episodes12
Audio formatStereophonic sound

Synopsis

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Map of 15th century Italy, showing many of the minor principalities that Monte Guano was based on.

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

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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

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Series 1

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Series Episode Title First broadcast Description[2] References
1 1 The Caramba Campaign 4 April 2001 The Prince of Monte Guano is badgered by his wife to wade into war.
2 The Pilgrim Industry 11 April 2001 The ruling family of Renaissance Italy's puniest city-state plot to attract pilgrims.
3 The Coining of the Capricorn 18 April 2001 The ruling family of Italy's puniest city-state aim to introduce a new currency.
4 The Pride and the Peacemaker 25 April 2001 Renaissance Italy's Prince Ludovico buys a cannon, and Princess Plethora wants to confess.
5 The Wild Man of the Woods or
The Future Begins Here
2 May 2001 Prince Ludovico battles enemies, as his wife tries reconciling their sons.
6 Plethora Princess Regent 9 May 2001 Awaiting news of a new Pope, Plethora takes over Monte Guano and Ludovico takes to bed.

Series 2

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Series Episode Title First broadcast Description[3] References
2 1 Considering The Lilies of the Field 8 May 2002 Prince 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.

2 An Englishman Abroad 15 May 2002 Renaissance Italy's pettiest state Monte Guano hosts a suspect English lord.
3 Salvatore's Apotheosis 22 May 2002 Plethora decides that son and heir Salvatore must be ordained as a priest. Salvatore is compared with Girolamo Savonarola.
4 The Bonfire of the Sanities 29 May 2002 Plethora 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"
5 Confessions 5 June 2002 Salvatore is hell bent on making his family take confession - and cleaning up the cherubs.
6 Royal Wedding Blues 12 June 2002 Countess 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

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References

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