Henry is preparing for a lecture tour of America and is desperately trying to persuade Vera to accompany him. But first he must negotiate his 50th birthday.

He is hoping to ignore it, but Vera has organised one of those vulgar Surprise Parties and everybody will be there - Lytton, Barrington, Hilda, DH Lollipop, his wife, Frieda and Venus, who sneaks in without an invitation and makes a nuisance of herself in the bushes.

By the end of the party a seven week lecture tour in America seems quite appealing.

ANNOUNCER ...... NIGEL PLANER
VERA SACKCLOTH-VEST ...... MIRIAM MARGOLYES
HENRY MICKLETON ...... JONATHAN COY
GINNY FOX ...... ALISON STEADMAN
LIONEL FOX ...... NIGEL PLANER
MRS GOSLING ...... ALISON STEADMAN
MR GOSLING ...... NIGEL PLANER
LYTTON SCRATCHEY ...... NIGEL PLANER
DH LOLLIPOP ...... JOHN SESSIONS
FRIEDA LOLLIPOP ...... MORWENNA BANKS
HILDA MATTHEWSON ...... MORWENNA BANKS
VENUS TRADUCES ...... MORWENNA BANKS

A Little Brother production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018. Show less