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David Jason

Miles Jupp

Patsy Kensit

Robert Bathurst

Kenneth Cranham

Celia de Wolff

Drama on 4: The Man Who Bit Mary Magdalene

The Man Who Bit Mary Magdalene

08/09/2015

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, The Man Who Bit Mary Magdalene

David Jason stars as Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln in a comedy of secrets, sins, sex and sects.

David Jason stars as Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln. When an earthquake strikes Lincoln Cathedral, he sets off on a relic-hunting mission. A comedy of secrets, sins, sex and sects.

David Jason stars as Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln in a comedy of secrets, sins, sex and sects - with Patsy Kensit, Robert Bathurst and Miles Jupp.

Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln - the goodliest soul who ever lived, loved by princes and paupers alike - needs money to rebuild his beloved Lincoln Cathedral after it's destroyed in an earthquake. But funds are not forthcoming. 

After a visitation from The Virgin Mother herself, he is shown the way to raise the much needed money - relics. She tells him of the relic of the arm bone of Mary Magdalene which lies at the abbey at Fécamp - a relic that will certainly bring pilgrims and cash to Lincoln.

But Hugh soon realises The Holy Mother may not be quite so holy as she appears, as she taunts him with an old sin that casts a very long shadow. The great man of faith is thrown into turmoil and it's only a weary, drunken old monk who can see Hugh's impending actions may destroy not only the abbey, but also one of the very foundations of Christianity. 

Based on a thrilling true story, the themes and comedy are most definitely contemporary and Hugh's ultimate act is as shocking today as it was almost 1000 years ago.

A comedy to really sink your teeth into!

Historical Advisor: Sue Scott
Director: Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

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