Prepared for the stage by Patrice Chereau and Ariane Mnouchkine, translated and adapted for radio by Christopher Hampton
Introduced by John Mortimer
Readings in English by Flora Robson and in Czech by Julius Tomin

In October 1979 the playwright Vaclav Havel and five other Czech dissidents. all of whom were signatories of Charter 77 and members of VONS (the Committee for the Defence of the Unjustly Persecuted), were sentenced to a total of 19½ years' imprisonment for 'criminal subversion against the state'. This programme is a dramatic reconstruction of their trial, based upon the memories of the handful of relatives allowed into the Courtroom.
The Accused:
The Tribunal:
Relatives:
Witnesses:
Appeal summary by Glenda Jackson
Also taking part: HOWARD BRENTON and CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON. Directed by MARTIN JENKINS