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Drama: Rumpole

Julian Rhind-Tutt

Jasmine Hyde

Stuart McQuarrie

Nigel Anthony

Stephen Critchlow

Cathy Sara

John Mortimer

Richard Stoneman

Marilyn Imrie

Catherine Bailey

Drama on 4: Rumpole: Rumpole and Hilda

Drama: Legal & Courtroom

Rumpole

29/03/2016

Rumpole and Hilda

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Rumpole, Rumpole and Hilda

She Who Must Be Obeyed tells us the truth about a case her husband would prefer to forget.

Hilda Rumpole - She Who Must Be Obeyed - falls for the charms of a smooth-talking solicitor. Will she be tempted to side with him against her husband? 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.

Rumpole's long-suffering wife Hilda - She Who Must Be Obeyed - narrates a fascinating tale of murder and romance that Horace would prefer to remain untold. 

An instructing solicitor, Daniel Newcombe, asks Rumpole to defend a young man, Michael Skelton, who's accused of bludgeoning his father to death with a golf club. Hilda finds Daniel to be everything that Horace is not - well-groomed, charming, sensitive and complimentary. 

After being wooed over lunch, she agrees to act as Daniel's 'spy', reporting back on Rumpole's defence preparations. However, when Hilda realises that Daniel is hiding the truth from her, and from everyone involved in the murder case, she's forced to consider whose side she ought to be on. 

Hilda narrates the whole story with a refreshing honesty and witty candour that we thought only her husband could manage, and reveals a passionate and frustrated side, as Rumpole catches a glimpse of the true nature of his wife.

Cast: 
Horace Rumpole............... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Hilda Rumpole ................. Jasmine Hyde
Daniel Newcombe ........... Stuart McQuarrie
Claude Erskine-Brown ..... Nigel Anthony
Mr Justice Graves.............. Stephen Critchlow
Mrs Beazley ..................... Cathy Sara

Directed by 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.

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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