Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Book at Bedtime

Audiobooks

Podcasts

Drama

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and literature from around the world

BBC Radio 4 LW

Book at Bedtime: Duty Free

Book at Bedtime: Duty Free: Episode 1

Comedy: Satire

Duty Free

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime, Duty Free, Episode 1

Amid escalating violence, a Lahore socialite takes on a difficult family challenge.

Biting social satire by Moni Mohsin. Against a backdrop of escalating violence, a Lahore socialite reluctantly takes on a difficult family challenge.

Read before a live studio audience in the BBC Radio Theatre by Meera Syal. 

As every woman knows, matchmaking is no easy job. Particularly when you're trying to find a girl for your dull, balding, freshly-divorced cousin and on top of that manage a house full of servants, shop for contraband Prada goods and attend parties every night. Not to mention the fact that your husband's work trips are becoming increasingly frequent, your city is under attack, and your friends can't be trusted. How is a girl to cope?

Jane Austen's Emma is transported to the outrageous social melee of 21st-century Lahore. "Our plucky heroine's cousin, Jonkers, has been dumped by his low-class, slutty secretary, and our heroine has been charged with finding him a suitable wife -- a rich, fair, beautiful, old-family type. Quickly. But, between you, me and the four walls, who wants to marry poor, plain, hapless Jonkers?"

As our heroine social-climbs her way through weddings-sheddings, GTs (get togethers, of course) and ladies' lunches trying to find a suitable girl from the right bagground, she discovers to her dismay that her cousin has his own ideas about his perfect mate. And secretly, she may even agree.

Full of wit and wickedness, Duty Free is a delightful romp through Pakistani high society - although, even as it makes you cry with laughter, it makes you wince at the gulf between our heroine's glitteringly shallow life and the country that is falling apart around her Louboutin-clad feet. 

Moni Mohsin, already a huge bestseller in India, has been hailed as a modern-day Jane Austen, and compared to Nancy Mitford and Helen Fielding. Duty Free is social satire at its biting best.

In today's episode; against a backdrop of escalating violence, a Lahore socialite reluctantly takes on a difficult family challenge.


Abridged by Eileen Horne


Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for 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.

Biting social satire by Moni Mohsin, set in 21st-century Lahore. Read by Meera Syal

Biting social satire by Moni Mohsin. Jane Austen's Emma is transported to the outrageous social melee of 21st-century Lahore. Read before a live studio audience by Meera Syal

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Book at Bedtime

Duty Free

Episode 1

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4