Michael Frayn's Matchbox Theatre

Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 LW

Rosalind Ayres

Lisa Dillon

Adam Godley

Tom Hollander

Julia McKenzie

Lloyd Owen

Ian Ogilvy

Martin Jarvis

Nigel Anthony

Matthew Wolf

Michael Frayn

Michael Frayn's Matchbox Theatre: Episode 4

Drama

Episode 4

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Michael Frayn's Matchbox Theatre, Episode 4

An all-star cast in the last part of Michael Frayn's brilliantly funny view of our world.

From street demos to speaking gibberish – an all-star cast portray a hilarious view of us all. With Martin Jarvis. From 2015.

Michael Frayn: the most comic philosophical writer of our time. 

An all-star cast has great fun with his hilarious view of us all. And the ways we attempt to communicate. And explain.

In this final part, we start by taking listeners direct from the Matchbox studio to a report from outside the National Theatre, where some long speeches are going on inside. Our reporter (Martin Jarvis) tells anchor Rosalind Ayres that it seems to be all about Hamlet. A couple (Lisa Dillon and Lloyd Owen), who have just been on a street demo, can't quite cast off their hectoring demeanour when ordering tea and buns. And Tom Hollander at a dinner party embarrasses a fellow guest with some surprisingly anti-social behaviour. A husband (Adam Godley) may have a communication problem. 

In a bravura solo performance, Julia McKenzie attempts (on the phone) to communicate with the 'sofa disposal' department, but are they actually listening? And language becomes a problem for Ian Ogilvy as a hospital visitor - but who is really speaking gibberish?

With:
Rosalind Ayres
Lisa Dillon
Adam Godley
Tom Hollander
Julia McKenzie
Lloyd Owen 
Ian Ogilvy
Martin Jarvis
Nigel Anthony
Matthew Wolf

Producer: Rosalind Ayres
Director: Martin Jarvis

A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4 irst broadcast in December 2015.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Short entertainments based on Frayn's acclaimed book of comic dialogues and monologues

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Michael Frayn's Matchbox Theatre

Episode 4

Contributors

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra