Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

15 Minute Drama

Drama

Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 FM

15 Minute Drama: A Little Twist of Dahl

Charles Dance

Jonathan Keeble

Kenneth Cranham

Ben Crowe

Stephen Sheridan

David Blount

15 Minute Drama: A Little Twist of Dahl: Episode 3: The Hitchhiker

A Little Twist of Dahl

Episode 3

Episode 3: The Hitchhiker

The Hitchhiker

BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama, A Little Twist of Dahl, The Hitchhiker

A hitchhiker helps out in an extraordinary way when Andrew is stopped for speeding.

Showing off in a new BMW, Andrew is stopped for speeding. A hitchhiker helps in an extraordinary way. Stars Kenneth Cranham. From December 2012.

A series of stories by Roald Dahl
Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan.

Episode 3: The Hitchhiker

Charles Dance leads the cast as the urbane Storyteller in dramatisations of five classic tales by Roald Dahl. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these black comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings.

The stories show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction. They are stylishly plotted, vividly characterised and made unforgettable by their breezy cynicism, presenting as they do, a hilariously bleak view of family life. Their satisfying conclusions invariably leave bullies, schemers, adulterers and frauds soundly punished.

In The Hitchhiker, Andrew Pym, a successful author, is driving to London in his brand new BMW. He stops to give a hitchhiker a lift. Unwisely, he allows the man to persuade him to see if the car can go as fast as its manufacturers claim. Stopped for speeding, his details are noted down by a policeman who warns him to expect a heavy fine and sends him on his way. Blithely unconcerned at causing so much trouble, the hitchhiker starts boasting that he is engaged in a line of work that requires exceptional skills. And it's these skills that can get Andrew out of his present difficulty.

Produced and directed by David Blount
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

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.

Series of dark comic tales by Roald Dahl, dramatised by Stephen Sheridan

Accessibility links

Programme Index

15 Minute Drama

A Little Twist of Dahl

Episode 3: The Hitchhiker

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4