The return of the award-winning series in which writers create a fictional response to the week's news continues with a satirical comedy from Deborah Levy, the novelist, playwright and Freud expert. The Dangers of Extreme Cheerfulness takes its inspiration from the publication this week of a report into the inequalities in care for those suffering from mental illness.

Eric is played by Philip Fox, Marianne by Jane Whittenshaw, the postwoman by Susie Riddell, Doctor Salkind by Don Gilet and John and the chicken by James Lailey. The producer is Elizabeth Allard.

To complement Radio Four's News and Current Affairs output, our weekly series presents a dramatic response to a major story from the week's news. The form and content are entirely lead by the news topic - so drama can come in many guises, as well as poetry and prose.

It's uniquely radio - an instant reaction to the mood of the moment - a concept impossible to imagine in any other medium. Show less