A Short Gentleman

Original version

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 Extra

James Hayes

Nichola McAuliffe

Josef Lindsay

Ewan Bailey

Katherine Jakeways

Tracy Wiles

Gerard McDermott

Jon Canter

Robin Brooks

Jonquil Panting

A Short Gentleman: Episode 1

Comedy

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 Extra - A Short Gentleman, Episode 1

Robert sails through all his exams, but finding a girlfriend is more testing.

Exams are no problem for Robert Purcell QC, but finding a girlfriend is. Stars Hugh Bonneville and Nichola McAuliffe. From 2012.

Robert sails through all his exams, but finding a girlfriend is more testing.

Hugh Bonneville stars as Robert Purcell, QC, a perfect specimen of the British Establishment, who applies faultless legal logic to his disastrous personal life.

Jon Canter's comic novel, first published in 2008.  

Adapted in four parts by Robin Brooks.

Robert Purcell ..... Hugh Bonneville
Father    ......    James Hayes
Mother    ......    Nichola McAuliffe
Young Robert    ......    Josef Lindsay
Pilkington    ......    Ewan Bailey
Ticky Moxon-Smith    ......    Katherine Jakeways
Judy Page    ......    Tracy Wiles
Alan Temperley    ......    Gerard McDermott

'Brilliant, but for God's sake don't let this book fall into the hands of any women - if they find out what we're really like we'll never hear the end of it.' Charlie Higson

'A witty, accomplished, and highly entertaining warning about the folly of ambition.' Mail on Sunday

'Elegantly written, civilised and genuinely funny.' The Scotsman

'Robert is infectious. You might just catch yourself bringing his loathsome logic to your own domestic dilemmas.' Time Out. 

Jon Canter read Law at Cambridge, where he was President of Footlights, then worked as an advertising copywriter before becoming a radio and TV scriptwriter. His comic novels include Seeds of Greatness, A Short Gentleman and Worth.

Director: Jonquil Painting.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in From January 2012.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Robert Purcell QC battles to apply faultless legal logic to his disastrous personal life.

Hugh Bonneville stars as Robert Purcell QC, a perfect specimen of the British Establishment, who applies faultless legal logic to his disastrous personal life. Comedy by Jon Canter

Accessibility links

Programme Index

A Short Gentleman

Episode 1

Contributors

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4