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Drama: Rumpole

Julian Rhind-Tutt

Jasmine Hyde

Cathy Sara

Nigel Anthony

Gus Brown

Michael Cochrane

Stephen Critchlow

John Mortimer

Richard Stoneman

Marilyn Imrie

Catherine Bailey

Drama on 4: Rumpole: Rumpole on Trial

Drama: Legal & Courtroom

Rumpole

28/03/2016

Rumpole on Trial

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Rumpole, Rumpole on Trial

Horace Rumpole's toothache provokes an outburst in court that could end his career.

An aching tooth and the tedious evidence of a boring defendant provoke Rumpole to insult a judge and disobey his instructions. So Rumpole goes on trial. Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt.

By John Mortimer. Adapted for radio by Richard Stoneman.

Following in the footsteps of several distinguished former Rumpoles - Leo McKern, Maurice Denham, Timothy West and Benedict Cumberbatch - Julian Rhind-Tutt, one of Radio 4's most popular actors and much loved star of TV's Green Wing and The Hour, now dons the wig and white bands of the most erudite, astute, and seldom defeated of barristers in the annals of the Old Bailey.

After waking up with a raging tooth-ache, Rumpole finds himself in no mood to listen to his boring client Reginald Tring, who's accused of the manslaughter of his wife. As Reginald drones on with his mind-numbing evidence, Rumpole suffers throughout the trial, and argues even more angrily than usual with Mr Justice Gwent-Evans. And, when Rumpole accuses the judge of deliberately misleading the jury, Gwent-Evans warns him in no uncertain terms about his future conduct. 

Rumpole finds himself on trial, with the end of his career in sight. 

But, luckily for Horace, he has Phillida on his side. She goes searching for the truth, and galvanises not only Rumpole's defending counsel - Soapy Sam Ballard QC - but also Rumpole's wife.

Directed by Marilyn Imrie
A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

Drama on 4: Rumpole

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.

Further cases for John Mortimer's wily criminal barrister. Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt

Further cases for John Mortimer's wily criminal barrister. Adapted by Richard Stoneman and starring Julian Rhind-Tutt

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