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Afternoon Drama: Rumpole

Timothy West

Benedict Cumberbatch

Jasmine Hyde

Louis Tafler-Hyde

Stephen Critchlow

Faye Castelow

Adam Gillen

Adrian Scarborough

Nigel Anthony

Richard Stoneman

Marilyn Imrie

Drama on 4: Rumpole: Episode 1

Drama: Crime

Rumpole

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Rumpole, Episode 1

Rumpole defends a gardener accused of blackmailing the master of an Oxford College.

1964. Rumpole returns to his alma mater to defend a gardener accused of blackmailing the master of an Oxford College. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Timothy West.

By John Mortimer.
Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Timothy West star as the younger and elder Rumpole in this new story. 

In 1964, Rumpole returns to Oxford, where he studied law, to defend a young gardener, Peter Vernon, accused of blackmailing the Master of St Joseph's College, Sir Michael Tuffnell.

Peter and Sir Michael had enjoyed a friendship that provoked rumours of homosexuality - still illegal in those days. Sir Michael has gone to the police alleging Peter was about to accuse him publicly of sodomy. Peter denies the charge and, indeed, is engaged to be married to his solicitor - a young woman by the name of Sue Galton. Rumpole sees through a plot to depose the Master and, sensing Peter's underlying honesty, he defends his client. But, in doing so, he's forced to re-assess the choices he's made in his career and his marriage to She Who Must Be Obeyed. 

Director: Marilyn Imrie
A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

Drama on 4: Rumpole

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

Two more cases for John Mortimer's wily criminal barrister. Adapted by Richard Stoneman

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