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Artwork for Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley
Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley · July 7 · 28 min

Audrey Jacob - Murder on the Dancefloor

Lucy Worsley goes to a glittering ball in Western Australia to investigate the sensational case of Audrey Jacob. It’s the 1920s, the era of bobbed hair and daring hemlines, and a ball at the Government House in Perth is in full swing. A young woman pushes her way through the throng of dancers, and before a ballroom packed with startled witnesses, she produces a concealed pistol and fires. Cyril Gidley, her former fiancé, falls dead at her feet. What follows is a courtroom drama that’s still debated to this day. Is Audrey a cold blooded murderess? Surely an all-male jury will find her guilty? Lucy is joined by historian Professor Leigh Straw and criminal defence barrister Laura Stockdale to untangle this case. They discover a story of passion, abuse and betrayal, with a ruthless defence lawyer who will stop at nothing in his pursuit of freedom for his glamorous young client. Producer: Emily Hughes Readers: Clare Corbett, Jonathan Keeble, Ruth Sillers and William Hope Historical consultant: Professor Leigh Straw Head of Production: Claire Myers Sound Design: Chris Maclean Senior Producer: Julia Hayball Executive Producer: Kirsty Hunter A StoryHunter production for BBC Radio 4.

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Lucy Worsley goes to a glittering ball in Western Australia to investigate the sensational case of Audrey Jacob. It’s the 1920s, the era of bobbed hair and daring hemlines, and a ball at the Government House in Perth is in full swing. A young woman pushes her way through the throng of dancers, and before a ballroom packed with startled witnesses, she produces a concealed pistol and fires. Cyril Gidley, her former fiancé, falls dead at her feet.

What follows is a courtroom drama that’s still debated to this day. Is Audrey a cold blooded murderess? Surely an all-male jury will find her guilty?

Lucy is joined by historian Professor Leigh Straw and criminal defence barrister Laura Stockdale to untangle this case. They discover a story of passion, abuse and betrayal, with a ruthless defence lawyer who will stop at nothing in his pursuit of freedom for his glamorous young client.

Producer: Emily Hughes Readers: Clare Corbett, Jonathan Keeble, Ruth Sillers and William Hope Historical consultant: Professor Leigh Straw Head of Production: Claire Myers Sound Design: Chris Maclean Senior Producer: Julia Hayball Executive Producer: Kirsty Hunter

A StoryHunter production for BBC Radio 4.

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